AirPods 4 are something special but AirPods Pro 3 could be truly brilliant (if Apple listens)

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AirPods 4 are something special but AirPods Pro 3 could be truly brilliant (if Apple listens)

All be honest… When I first saw Apple’s incredibly sneaky way to upsell you on the AirPods 4, I was disappointed.

In case it’s not clear, Apple now sells the same new AirPods 4 in two variants - one with Active Noise Cancellation and one without. ANC is a software feature, which means Apple has literally turned the feature off on the $130 model and left it on with the $180 one. And that’s just… a weird way to sell a software feature on the same hardware.

But that’s Apple at its best/worst business behavior - depending on the perspective. However… then I actually took a minute to assess what the new AirPods 4 with ANC meant, and I realized… they are (almost) my dream earbuds.

And… I might even buy a pair even though I already have (technically) the best AirPods Pro 2. Here’s why…

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Also read: Apple AirPods 4 ANC review: the most OK sounding buds

Apple pulled the most "Apple" trick to make you buy the new AirPods 4 with ANC, but at least they are truly special and (almost) unique

Tech reviewer holding up AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 cases.

AirPods Pro 2 (left) vs AirPods 4 (right). That's a noticeable difference in the size of the case.

Now, for starters, it’s important to note that there aren’t many earbuds makers (from the billions of them out there) that make on-ear earbuds (that don’t penetrate your ear) and offer Active Noise Cancellation at the same time

In fact, the only other pair of such earbuds I can think of are Huawei’s scary-looking FreeBuds 5, which do exactly that - stay on your ear and give you ANC.

As Mariyan pointed out in his FreeBuds 5 review, how good the ANC with on-ear earbuds is, “will vary greatly depending on how tight these buds fit inside your ears”. But the early reactions indicate Apple has done a good job.

This is why I’ll wait for our full review of the AirPods 4 before pulling the trigger. Because if the ANC turns out to be non-existent, I can just get a pair of $20 Apple earpods, which are wired but do the same job.

However, if the ANC in the AirPods 4 turns out to be even half as good as the one in my AirPods Pro 2 (which works incredibly well), then I might be pulling the trigger.

The cheaper, technically inferior AirPods 4 might be better than AirPods Pro 2 for many people and in many situations

AirPods 3.

Huawei FreeBuds 5.

Here's a more specific breakdown as to why I find the AirPods 4 more appealing than the AirPods Pro 2

I’ve always preferred on-ear earbuds over in-ear ones because they are so much more comfortable

Having had the AirPods Pro 2 for about two years now, I also realize they are harder to clean as the ear tips collect all the good stuff that’s in your ears…

Not that my AirPods Pro 2 are bulky, but the AirPods 4 look even more compact

The case and the earbuds seem to have all the same features as my AirPods Pro 2 thanks to having the same chip, which means the only difference should be the slightly weaker ANC due to the design limitations - no ear tips

Apple didn’t announce new AirPods Pro 3 but I just invented them, and they might be the perfect wireless earbuds

You're welcome, Tim. You can PayPal me later.

Now, is it a splurge to buy a second pair of AirPods to use in quiet environments, and use my AirPods Pro 2 when it’s loud around? It absolutely is, and ideally I wouldn’t like to have to do that. With that in mind, I do have a “solution”, which Apple isn’t going to like...

How about we simply make the future AirPods Pro 3 modular, Apple? Let me remove the ear tips and get the same fit as the vanilla AirPods 4. This means I can put the ear tips back on when I need a good seal for loud environments, or if I’m doing sports (so they stay in my ear).

All Apple really needs to figure out is how to store the ear tips in the case, which should be a one-hour meeting for the genius engineers working at Cupertino.

In fact, I just tried it out, and I can sort of use my AirPods Pro 2 as “on-ear” earbuds even now by simply removing the ear tips, and guess what - it’s way more comfortable than having the ear tips on all the time - even when you don’t need a super tight seal.

Of course, the AirPods Pro 2 were never designed to be used without the ear tips, which leaves the speaker mesh completely exposed. Moreover, the shape is clearly not optimizted for on-ear use either. But as I said, Apple’s job would be to take the new AirPods 4 and add removable ear tips to them (which I can store in the case when I don’t need them). And voila!

Now, is Apple going to do that? Honestly, part of me likes to believe they’ve already explored this idea, and have it in mind for the future AirPods Pro 3. But everyone knows Apple likes making thatcash, and eliminating the need to buy two pairs of AirPods by giving users both designs in one means… less sales.

Anyway... You better put on your Apple hearing aid, Tim! I need my 2-in-1 AirPods Pro 3.

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Martin, a tech journalist at PhoneArena, brings a unique blend of humor and insight to his work. His fascination with smartphones began with a Galaxy Young and evolved through a series of trades and upgrades, making him a self-proclaimed smartphone nerd. Martin's content often combines current analysis of market trends with historical references and future predictions. Whether it's a deep dive into technical issues or a first-person commentary on industry events, Martin's articles are designed to inform and engage. His critical perspective is driven by genuine curiosity and a desire to keep readers informed, not by any corporate sponsorship.