January 15, 2025 - The most obvious differences are the lack of the case speaker, which chimes when you’re charging it, or looking for it using Find My, the lack of wireless charging, and no active noise cancelling.

September 9, 2024 - Im curious to hear these of you opting to buy the Non-ANC version of the AirPods 4. What’s the reasoning behind it other than the lower price? ... Will wait for reviews on how effective the ANC is. Not expecting it to be near the Pro levels, but if it cancels enough outside noise that I don’t need to increase the volume.

Live Translation with AirPods works on AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation and AirPods Pro 2 and later with the latest firmware when paired with an Apple Intelligence–enabled iPhone running iOS 26 and later. Available in beta.

IMPROVED SOUND AND CALL QUALITY — AirPods 4 feature the Apple-designed H2 chip. Voice Isolation improves the quality of phone calls in loud conditions. Using advanced computational audio, it reduces background noise while isolating and clarifying the sound of your voice for whomever you’re speaking to.*

The AirPods 4 charging case alongside an Apple Watch charger. Next‑level immersive listening with optional Active Noise Cancellation.

If the audio doesn’t pause automatically, or if you can’t enable Active Noise Cancellation from Settings or Control Center, reset your AirPods. Your AirPods ear tips should make a good seal with your ear canal for the best sound quality and noise cancellation.

September 9, 2024 - We can see that Apple doesn’t have a ton of faith in the noise canceling capabilities of the new AirPods, as evidenced by the fact that only the AirPods Pro (2nd generation) are getting the new hearing health features. If you want to protect your ears or use your AirPods as a hearing aid, Apple only recommends using the AirPods Pro (2nd generation) and not the AirPods 4.

October 7, 2024 - AirPods 4 (ANC): same as above, but with noise cancellation.

October 2, 2024 - For the first time in the standard AirPods range, the AirPods 4 offer optional active noise cancellation (ANC) for an additional $50, providing a quieter and more immersive listening experience, especially in noisy environments.

2 weeks ago - The open ear design is comfortable to me, I personally prefer without the tips. I bought them without active noise cancellation since I have noise cancelling over-the-ear headphones already. The battery life has been great as well.

The only difference between the AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 (Active Noise Cancellation) cases are the speakers and U1 (for Find My tracking) chip on the ANC version.

September 20, 2024 - Without either of these engaged, they sound pretty much like my Airpods 3. Rockers will appreciate the increased weight in the low end and also the upper range emphasis in the treble. It isn't really excessive but it's there if you want it. This house is pretty quiet so the noise cancellation has not been put to the test. I thought that my Airpods 3 sounded pretty good but the Airpods 4 do sound much better.

October 16, 2024 - I’ve been able to use the AirPods 4 with ANC over the last few weeks, including on an airplane, and my feelings are… well, they’re mixed. On the one hand, the fact that you can get noise cancellation on base AirPods is amazing. Their hard plastic body means that they can’t make a soft seal like the silicone tips on the AirPods Pro can, so there’s more outside audio leakage to compensate for.

3 weeks ago - For even less, the EarFun AirPro 4 ($89.99 at Amazon) offers Bluetooth 5.4, high-res codecs, long battery life, and noise canceling. The Nothing Ear ($149 at Amazon) delivers great sound quality and noise canceling at a competitive price, though ...

As it Reads: “Switch between noise-control modes on your AirPods 4 (ANC) or AirPods Pro Press and hold the force sensor on the stem of an AirPod until a chime plays. When you're wearing both AirPods, press and hold the force sensor on either AirPod to switch between Active Noise Cancellation, ...