The good, the bad, and the surprising in Apple’s latest AirPods line.
Apple’s latest AirPods lineup has finally arrived after months of speculation and rumors. But, while the release introduced some exciting new features, not all the upgrades made it into the final products.
The Rumors and Expectations
Leading up to Apple’s September 9 “It’s Glowtime” event, fans and insiders have shared their theories about what Apple has in store regarding the AirPods lineup.
Here’s a summary of the biggest rumors:
AirPods
Word on the street was that we’d see two versions of AirPods 4: a standard model and a fancier version with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC).
This was huge as the ANC feature was previously only available for AirPods Pro. In fact, it was one of the line’s biggest selling points. So, the potential of seeing the feature on regular AirPods was seen as a big step forward.
But, there are also other software upgrades expected.
For one, there’s the rumored enhanced Spatial Audio and gesture controls for Siri interaction. A redesigned fit, optimized for comfort and performance using Apple’s extensive data on ear shapes, was also anticipated.
Users also hoped for a longer battery life across the AirPods lineup, driven by advances in low-power chipsets and battery technology.
Aside from these, there were also rumors about a new “AirPods Lite.” This model was said tobe only around $99, making them the cheapest AirPods yet.
According to insiders, these budget AirPods wouldn’t have fancy features like ANC but would still have USB-C charging and head-tracked Spatial Audio.
AirPods Pro
Since AirPods Pro 2 only came out last year, no one expected AirPods Pro 3 this time.
So, the focus was primarily on software improvements. For instance, the most talked-about new feature was a Hearing Aid mode to help people with hearing problems.
AirPods Max
Compared to other models, the AirPods Max rumor mill was a bit of a rollercoaster.
Earlier this year, experts said the new AirPods Max wouldn’t come out until 2025. But right before the event, new rumors popped up about how the earlier news wasn’t actually true.
And, because it’s been years since the original AirPods Max was launched, it’s easy to see why people got excited.
Expectations included lossless audio support, plus a more comfortable and durable design and longer battery life.
What Came True
Apple made some of these hopes real.
True to the rumors, AirPods 4 arrived in two versions: regular and with ANC.
Both AirPods 4 models have the H2 chip, which brings Personalized Spatial Audio, Voice Isolation for clear calls, and those cool Siri head gestures people talked about.
These new features matched what people guessed before the event, especially the head gestures for Siri.
The hope for comfier AirPods also came true.
Compared to these, the AirPods Max didn’t get a big upgrade as some wanted. Instead, the upgrade focused more on design and charging improvements, just like what the earlier reports said.
Apple added new colors and switched to USB-C charging. They also upgraded to Bluetooth 5.3 for better connection.
AirPods Pro 2 also got big updates for hearing health, as people expected.
For these, Apple added new features like active Hearing Protection, a scientifically tested Hearing Test, and a medical-grade Hearing Aid function, making them more useful for people with hearing issues.
Expectations vs. Reality Gaps
Despite these updates, some of the most anticipated features were absent.
For one, the rumored “AirPods Lite” didn’t happen. Instead, Apple continued its approach of offering higher-end models at premium prices.
Sure, the entry-level AirPods 4 only cost $129 (same as the current price of 2nd-Gen AirPods but with better specs). But, that’s still above the $99 price point that was expected for a more budget-friendly model.
Also, there was no AirPods Max 2 launch, despite the last-minute rumors.
The changes to AirPods Max, while nice for looks and ease of use, didn’t include the huge sound improvements many wanted, like lossless audio.
Battery life improvements were also modest at best. The AirPods 4 offer up to 30 hours of total listening time with the charging case, which is good, but not the quantum leap many had hoped for.
Surprising Additions
Apple did throw in a few curveballs that weren’t on our radar, though.
One of the most unexpected additions was the smaller charging case for AirPods 4.
People guessed right about USB-C charging. Yet, the case itself is more than 10% smaller, making it the tiniest case ever for AirPods with wireless charging. Thanks to this, the new AirPods are now easier to carry around.
Another surprise was the Find My speaker in the AirPods 4 ANC model’s charging case.
While people expected Find My support, especially with USB-C charging, the speaker in the case to help find lost AirPods was a new twist. This feature is part of the AirPods Pro 2 upgrade so we thought that’s gonna be an exclusive feature.
It’s a small but handy addition that can help users who often misplace their charging case, which is even more useful now that the cases are smaller.