Apple AirPods 4: release date predictions, price, features, and news

Whispers in the tech world hint at the fourth-gen AirPods following a pricing strategy similar to the existing AirPods 2 and AirPods 3. Brace yourself for a dual-tiered pricing setup, with one variant keeping it budget-friendly and another hitting a higher price point.

Considering that the latest AirPods 3 are now priced at $179, and the AirPods 2 are priced at $129, it is likely that the next generation will be priced under $200. Prices have been increasing at a relatively rapid pace, so AirPods 4 might cost slightly more than the AirPods 3 did when it was launched in 2021.

Regarding the design, we do not expect any significant changes from the AirPods 3. Looking at the history of AirPods, the design of the first-generation AirPods remained unchanged in the second generation. 

With this perspective, the AirPods 3 did receive design improvements, making it probable that the fourth generation will continue with the same design. Mark Gurman of Bloomberg has hinted at the possibility of the next-generation AirPods coming in different colors. 

According to other reports, two upcoming fourth-generation AirPods earbuds are set to showcase a fresh design, resembling a fusion of the AirPods 3 and the AirPods Pro 2. This includes shorter stems, and noteworthy is the inclusion of noise cancellation in one of the 4th-generation AirPods.

Of course, we'll have to sit tight and wait for Apple to share its plans.

Many of the changes and enhancements that debuted with the third-generation AirPods were inspired by the first-generation AirPods Pro. Given this, it's quite plausible that the upcoming upgrades for the fourth-generation AirPods will be influenced by the second-generation AirPods Pro.

The next-gen AirPods are likely to borrow a key feature from the second-gen ‌AirPods Pro‌: the H2 chip. Right now, both the second and third-gen AirPods rock the H1 chip. The H2 chip, if Apple uses it, could help improve Personalized Spatial Audio, make pairing faster, and help make device swapping easier. And as mentioned earlier, it is rumored that the next-generation AirPods will have noise cancellation.

Should the AirPods 4 adopt the H2 chip, it might also feature Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity. Numerous Apple devices now come equipped with Bluetooth 5.3, making it a reasonable assumption that the fourth-generation AirPods will also incorporate this technology. Bluetooth 5.3 offers a faster and more reliable connection between your AirPods and iPhone or iPad.

Bloomberg's Marc Gurman suggests that Apple is developing significant hearing health and body-temperature advancements for AirPods, including a hearing test feature with various tones and sensors to measure body temperature through the ear canal, seen as more precise than wrist measurements on Apple Watch Series 8 and Ultra models.

He also suggests that the AirPods 4 will bring a button press feature for muting and unmuting during calls, along with improvements for smooth switching between AirPods pairings.

As evident from the latest iPhone 15 series and the updated AirPods Pro 2, Apple is transitioning from the Lightning port to USB-C. According to Bloomberg's Marc Gurman, all AirPods models and Apple accessories are set to shift from Lightning to USB-C by 2024. Consequently, the AirPods 4 will most definitely feature a USB-C port.

While the third-generation AirPods can be charged using MagSafe, a Qi wireless charger, or a Lightning cable, the latter will not be an option for the AirPods 4. The latest AirPods Pro also supports charging with an Apple Watch charger, suggesting that the AirPods 4 will likely offer this charging method as well.

Apple seems to extend charging technology beyond just the Pro models. Therefore, it is quite likely that this additional charging method will be present in the fourth-generation AirPods, providing users with increased flexibility.

If the AirPods 4 adopts the H2 chip with Bluetooth 5.3 it might have longer battery life. According to Mac Rumors, the H2 chip in the latest AirPods Pro adds an extra hour and a half of listening time with Active Noise Cancellation (which the AirPods 4 is not expected to support) turned on, compared to the prior model. 

If this were applied to the regular AirPods, it might mean a bump from five hours to approximately six and a half hours of battery life.

In summary, an exact launch date for the AirPods 4 has yet to be confirmed. While the fall of 2024 is a likely estimate, it remains quite distant. The AirPods 4 could potentially offer improved sound quality and better battery performance due to the H2 chip, making it worthwhile to consider waiting. Plus, they will probably be the first non-pro model to feature noise canceling.

And if you currently possess the previous generation and have no urgent need for an upgrade it might be worth it. Also, if the AirPods 4 has similar or the same features as the AirPods Pro 2, it might be worth the wait, as the USB-C AirPods Pro 2 might be the best new Apple product.

Additionally, if you have your sights set on the newest iPhone 15, it would be prudent to give the next-generation AirPods 4 a closer look, particularly since they could be charged using the same cable. Reducing cable clutter in your household is always a welcome advantage, isn't it?