Apple AirPods 4 vs AirPods 3: what's new and which is the better buy?

With the release of the new fourth-generation Apple wireless earbuds models – the AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) – you might be wondering whether it’s worth springing for the new models or saving some cash by sticking with your AirPods 3 for a little while longer.

It’s not an easy decision, but we’re here to help. Having now reviewed the new AirPods 4 with ANC, we know everything we need to pit them against the outgoing AirPods 3 in a detailed comparison. You will find everything you need to help make your decision below, so without further ado, let’s dive straight in.

AirPods 4 vs AirPods 3: price

The AirPods 3 launched at £169 / $179 / AU$279 and that price point has barely dipped in the last couple of years. This positions them around the middle of the wireless earbuds market – cheaper than the flagship Sony WF-1000XM5 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, but pricier than budget buds such as Sony WF-C510 and C700N. In the Apple line-up, the AirPods 3 sat in between the cheapest AirPods 2 (2019) and the flagship AirPods Pro / Pro 2. Their pricing has stood firm – even going higher to £179/£189 in the UK – but we are starting to see price drops after the AirPods 4 launched in 2024. At the time of writing, you can nab a pair of AirPods 3 for just £129 at Amazon UK.

The new AirPods 4 cost £129 / $129 / AU$219 for the standard model, and £179 / $179 / AU$299 for the AirPods with ANC. Both models have been on sale since 20th September. These models replace the AirPods 2 and AirPods 3 respectively in terms of price, and it's the AirPods 4 with ANC variant that offers the biggest upgrade over the AirPods 3.

For context, the AirPods 4 with ANC are priced the same as the AirPods 3 at launch, offering more features for the same outlay. This is particularly noteworthy, as it brings premium features such as ANC to a more accessible price point. On the other hand, for those on a budget, the standard AirPods 4 are significantly cheaper, making them a more accessible option for those who don't need ANC, but still want the latest Apple earbuds.

**Winner: Apple AirPods 4**

AirPods 4 vs AirPods 3: design

The AirPods 3 took design inspiration from the AirPods Pro flagship range, featuring shorter stems and a smaller, lighter build than their predecessors, the AirPods 2 (2019). They lack the Pro 2's silicone ear tips, maintaining the 'open' design of previous standard AirPods.

The AirPods 4 continue this open design philosophy, but with further refinements. In fact, Apple claims they are the most comfortable AirPods ever, refining the shape of the buds further based on extensive research on ear shapes. Having spent two weeks using the AirPods 4 with ANC during our review, we find these claims hold up. The AirPods 4 with ANC are wonderfully light and comfortable – to the point where we sometimes forget that we are even wearing them. And while there are no eartips to secure them fully, the tapered shape of the buds means that they nestle more securely in our ears than the AirPods 3.

However, as with previous AirPods, the fit can be divisive. Some users find them snug and secure, while others struggle to keep them in place. It's worth trying them before buying if possible, as fit can significantly impact both comfort and sound quality.

Both models feature touch controls on the stems, but the AirPods 4 with ANC add the ability to change noise modes with a long press. The AirPods 4 models also have a hardier IP54 resistance rating compared with the AirPods 3’s IPX4 rating, making them more resistant to splashes and dust.

The AirPods 4's charging case is 10 per cent smaller than the AirPods 3's, making it even more pocket-friendly. The AirPods 3 features the Apple-specific Lightning connection, while the AirPods 4 uses the more universal USB-C port. It’s worth noting that the standard AirPods 4 case does not support wireless charging, and that only the AirPods 4 with ANC's case has a built-in speaker for easier location tracking.

**Winner: Apple AirPods 4**

AirPods 4 vs AirPods 3: features

This is where the big differences start coming into play; but let’s kick off with the similarities. Both the AirPods 3 and AirPods 4 offer seamless pairing with iOS devices, Audio Sharing, and auto-pause functionality. They also both support Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking, which anchors sound to its source as you move your head, for a more immersive listening experience.

However, the AirPods 4 (particularly the ANC model) earbuds serve up significant feature upgrades over the AirPods 3. They are powered by Apple’s latest H2 chip for a start – the same as in the AirPods Pro 2 – which brings a host of performance improvements and new features.

Both AirPods 4 models have Apple’s Voice Isolation feature, which uses AI-powered algorithms to reduce background noise such as wind on calls, for clearer call quality than the AirPods 3 can offer. They also both provide a Personalised Volume feature (again lacking from the AirPods 3), which learns to automatically adjust the media volume according to how loud your environment is.

The biggest difference between the two generations of AirPods is the inclusion of Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) to the AirPods 4 with ANC model. The AirPods 4 provide Apple’s most affordable entry to ANC to date, letting users block out some element of their surroundings so that they can lose themselves in their music. It effectively dims down low-frequency noises – the rumble of traffic, train engine noises, the hum of the aircon – and does so very impressively for an open earbud design with no tips. If you enjoy the design of the AirPods 3 but also want some element of noise blocking, the AirPods 4 with ANC are an easy recommendation. Without ANC, the standard AirPods 4 and AirPods 3 let in a considerable amount of noise that is difficult to cut out unless you whack the volume up (too) high.

Notably, the AirPods 4 with ANC also adds several features lacking in both the regular AirPods 4 and AirPods 3, such as Adaptive Audio, which dynamically adjusts noise cancellation based on your environment, providing a more tailored listening experience. The Conversation Awareness mode lowers the music volume when you start speaking, making for more convenient interactions without the need to remove your earbuds. It works very well, although cashiers etc. might still find it a little rude. Your mileage may vary. The Transparency mode lets you enhance outside surrounding noise, making sure you don’t miss important things such as train announcements, gate changes, and oncoming traffic when crossing a road. In an open design such as the AirPods 4 with ANC, however, we found the Transparency to be a little redundant.

Overall, even the base AirPods 4 model offers more features than the AirPods 3, with the AirPods 4 with ANC variant clearly ahead with its more robust feature set.

*Winner: AirPods 4 with ANC**

AirPods 4 vs AirPods 3: battery life

Battery life is one area where the AirPods 4 don't show significant improvement; indeed, in some cases, they take a slight step back. The AirPods 3 offer up to six hours of listening time on a single charge, with a total of 30 hours including the charging case.

The AirPods 4 maintain the 30-hour total but with a caveat for the AirPods 4 with ANC model. Without ANC, they offer five hours of listening time. However, with ANC enabled, this drops to just four hours on a single charge. The charging case compensates by offering more frequent top-ups, but this means the case's battery drains faster.

In practice, the AirPods 4's quick-charge feature (five minutes for an hour of listening) helps mitigate this issue, but heavy ANC users might find themselves charging the AirPods 4 more frequently compared with the AirPods 3.

**Winner: AirPods 3**

AirPods 4 vs AirPods 3: sound

The AirPods 4 bring notable improvements in sound quality over the AirPods 3. They feature a new custom low-distortion driver and high dynamic range amplifier, coupled with the H2 chip, resulting in a more detailed, powerful, and entertaining sound.

Our review found the AirPods 4 with ANC to offer richer weight and texture to voices and instruments, with bass notes sounding more substantial and impactful. They provide a bigger, more open presentation with greater space between voices and instruments, and dig out far more detail and textural depth compared with the AirPods 3.

The AirPods 3, while still offering a clean, balanced and nimble sound, now feel somewhat recessed and flat in comparison. Voices lack the warmth, power and up-front nature of the new AirPods 4.

Dynamically, the AirPods 4 are more engaging, though our review noted that they could benefit from even greater punch and subtlety. The ANC feature, when enabled, boosts bass notes but at a slight cost to detail. This is a common trade-off with ANC technology, and is not unique to the AirPods 4.

It's worth noting that the AirPods 4 get remarkably close to the sound quality of the five-star AirPods Pro 2, though the Pro 2 still maintain an edge in overall audio performance. This narrowing of the gap in sound quality between the standard and Pro models is a significant achievement for Apple and offers great value for consumers who don't need the full Pro feature set.

**Winner: AirPods 4 with ANC*

AirPods 4 vs AirPods 3: verdict

The AirPods 4, particularly the ANC model, represent a significant step up from the AirPods 3. They offer improved sound quality, a more refined design, and features previously reserved for the Pro line, all at a similar or lower price point depending on the model. In short, if you don’t already have a pair of wireless Apple in-ears, the AirPods 4 or AirPods 4 with ANC are the clear choice.

However, if you’re not fussed about ANC and are currently happy with your AirPods 3, you will be pleased to hear that they still hold their own, especially in terms of battery life. You could save yourself the cash and wait a year or so before upgrading – or, of course, check out our list of the best wireless earbuds if you want to look beyond Apple’s white pastures.

MORE:

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