Power Up with the Best Deal: Apple’s Affordable AirPods Might Just Be the Ones to Beat
The Surprising Truth About Apple’s AirPods 4: Are They Worth the Upgrade?
As I dive into the features of the latest AirPods 4, I find myself wondering: are they really worth the upgrade?
Apple’s Latest Noise-Cancelling Earbuds: A Mixed Bag
One notable feature of the AirPods 4 is Adaptive Audio, which adjusts active noise cancellation (ANC) levels based on your environment. While it’s a thoughtful touch, I’m not convinced it’s a game-changer. And to be honest, I’ve found myself switching off Conversation Awareness, which automatically lowers music volume when I’m on a call. I prefer the on-stem touch controls, if I’m being completely honest.
A Better Charging Case: But at What Cost?
Another notable upgrade is the charging case, which supports wireless charging and features a built-in speaker for Find My capabilities. The latter is convenient, but I’ve discovered that wireless charging isn’t for me. The MagSafe charging case I use just doesn’t cut it, and I’d rather stick with wired charging. It’s faster, more reliable, and I have a stash of USB-C cables at home.
Should You Upgrade or Just Go with the Pros?
So, should you splurge on the AirPods 4 with ANC? I’d suggest that, for a relatively small price difference, you’re better off with the AirPods Pro 2. You’ll get better sound and better ANC, making them a worthwhile upgrade. Since the Pro 2 have been out for over a year, they often see discounts on Amazon, making the price difference negligible. In fact, during the most recent Prime Day, the Pro 2 were cheaper than the AirPods 4 with ANC for a brief period.
