At today’s iPhone 16 event, two models of AirPods were expected, with one featuring active noise cancellation (ANC) for the first time at a price of $179. The AirPods 4 bridge the gap between the regular AirPods and the AirPods Pro, offering features like Siri interactions, Adaptive Audio, and Voice Isolation powered by the H2 chip. The ANC on the AirPods 4 was impressively effective during a hands-on demo, silencing the environment while maintaining an open fit design. Apple touted the AirPods 4 as the best-fitting version yet, with improved passive noise isolation and performance with the H2 chip. Transparency mode on the AirPods 4 didn’t match the natural sound of the Pro model, possibly due to differences in ear canal closure. Overall, the ANC feature stood out as a significant selling point for most users, showcasing the advanced capabilities of the AirPods 4.
