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Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation vs Apple AirPods Pro (1st generation)

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

AppleAirPods 4 with Active Noise CancellationAppleAirPods Pro (1st generation)
Overview
ReleasedSeptember 2024October 2019
Sound
TypeOpen-earIn-ear
Noise cancellingYesYes
Transparency modeYesYes
Spatial audio with head trackingYesYes
Bluetooth codecsSBC and AACSBC and AAC
Lossless over USB-CNoNo
ChipH2H1
DriversCustom high-excursion Apple driver and custom high dynamic range amplifierCustom high-excursion Apple driver and high dynamic range amplifier
Noise cancelling detailActive Noise Cancellation with Adaptive Audio, Transparency mode and Conversation AwarenessOutward- and inward-facing microphones; noise cancellation adjusts 200 times per second; pressure-equalising vents
Audio featuresPersonalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking; Adaptive EQ; Voice Isolation; Live Translation (with an iPhone 15 Pro or later running iOS 26 or later and Apple Intelligence); lossless audio with Apple Vision ProAdaptive EQ; Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking added after launch; Audio Sharing; AAC and SBC Bluetooth codecs (What Hi-Fi?)
Hearing health–Conversation Boost, Live Listen, headphone levels and Headphone Accommodations
Battery
Listening time (maker's claim)Up to 4 hoursUp to 4.5 hours
With the caseUp to 20 hours–
Wireless chargingYesYes
Battery life detailUp to 5 hours per charge and 30 hours with the case with noise control offUp to 5 hours with ANC and Transparency off; more than 24 hours of listening with case recharges (Apple's claim)
Charging caseCharging Case (USB-C) with speaker for Find My; charges with a USB-C cable, Apple Watch charger or Qi-certified chargerOriginal Wireless Charging Case supports Qi and Lightning; MagSafe Charging Case added in 2021 also supports MagSafe
Fast charging5 minutes in the case gives around 1 hour of listeningAround 1 hour of listening after 5 minutes in the case
Design
Weight (each earbud)4.3 g5.4 g
Water and sweat resistanceIP54IPX4
Bluetooth5.35.0
ControlsForce sensor on the stems (press once to play, pause or answer a call; twice to end a call or skip forward; three times to skip back; press and hold for Siri); “Hey Siri” or just “Siri”; Siri Interactions by nodding or shaking your headForce sensor for playback, calls and switching ANC/Transparency; “Hey Siri”; no stem volume adjustment
MicrophonesDual beamforming microphones and an inward-facing microphone; speech-detecting accelerometerDual beamforming and inward-facing microphones; dual optical sensors, motion- and speech-detecting accelerometers
Fit and ear tipsOpen-ear design with no ear tipsSilicone tips in S, M and L; Ear Tip Fit Test
Case weight34.7 g45.6 g
Dimensions–Each earbud 30.9 × 21.8 × 24.0 mm; original case 45.2 × 60.6 × 21.7 mm (height × width × depth)
Water resistance detailIP54 (IEC 60529) for the AirPods and charging caseIPX4 earbuds; Wireless Charging Case and MagSafe Charging Case are not sweat or water resistant
Works withFull features with iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV and Apple Vision Pro on the latest software; works as Bluetooth headphones with other devices, with limited featuresApple devices with current iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, macOS or tvOS; Bluetooth audio with older Apple software and non-Apple devices, with limited features
ColoursWhiteWhite
In the boxAirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation and Charging Case (USB-C) with speaker, documentation; USB-C cable sold separatelyAirPods Pro, charging case, three sizes of silicone tips, Lightning to USB-C cable, documentation

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