AirPods 4 vs. AirPods 3: Worth the upgrade?

Let’s cut right to the chase. The new AirPods 4 are here. With a slight redesign and the addition of the H2 chip, you may wonder if it’s time for an upgrade. In this AirPods 4 vs AirPods 3 article, I’ll break down the differences between these two pairs of true wireless earbuds to help you decide which to buy.

Editor’s note: This is the first version of this article, which was published on September 25, 2024. Updates will follow as the market changes.

What’s it like to use the AirPods 4 compared to the AirPods 3?

As with comparing any Apple products, it takes a closer look to discover the differences between the new AirPods 4 and the outgoing 3rd generation. Right off the bat, the AirPods 4 offer a smaller charging case with a more discreet status light. This new case design also features a new invisible touch sensor on the front of the case to pair them manually, compared to the physical button on the back of the larger AirPods 3 case. It’s worth noting that while the AirPods 3 case offers wireless charging, the AirPods 4 case does not. If wireless charging is a must for you, you’ll want to consider shelling out for the AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation.

While it’s still an unsealed, one-size-fits-all approach, the AirPods 4 earbuds boast a redesigned shape based on a large sample size of various ears. The reality is that everyone’s ears are different, so experiences with fit will vary.

The AirPods 4 earbuds are still extremely lightweight, weighing only 4.3g per earbud, but we also see some added protection. The AirPods 4 are now IP54-rated, meaning they are protected against dust, splashes of water, and sweat. The outgoing AirPod 3 does not offer any protection from dust but can handle those same splashes with an IPX4 protection rating.

How do the software features compare?

With the Apple H2 chip integration, the AirPods 4 is the winner here. The H2 chip enables new features such as nodding your head to interact with Siri, and improved call quality and spatial audio performance. You can also now use spatial audio while in a group FaceTime call.

While the AirPods 4 bring some new features, the AirPods 3 can still do most of the same things as the AirPods 4. Both models are packed full of features that you’ll find sprinkled throughout iOS, including Find My functionality, Spatial Audio, and Siri integration.

How do the AirPods 4 and AirPods 3 connect?

The AirPods 4 connect to your device via Bluetooth 5.3, but the AirPods 3 connect via the older 5.0. That said, both work exceptionally well when paired with Apple devices. As always with AirPods, once you connect to one device, the AirPods 3 or AirPods 4 will automatically connect to your other devices.

Both units support SBC and AAC codecs and offer seamless pairing with an Apple device. While AAC performs well enough on iPhones, it doesn’t cut it for some Android devices (depending on their hardware). AAC connection quality on Android will vary depending on your device, so you may have to force SBC streaming instead.

Is battery life better on the AirPods 4 or AirPods 3?

Well, we have a tie. In our battery testing, the AirPods 4 and AirPods 3 both provided 6 hours and 21 minutes of continuous playback, which is more than the advertised 5 hours. Battery life shouldn’t be a problem for most users unless you’re a regular international flyer. Apple states you can achieve 30 hours of total playback with charging case top-ups on both models. By our measure, you might even be able to surpass that.

Of course, batteries degrade over time, though the AirPods have a feature to help prevent this. Known as Optimized Charging, the AirPods will learn your typical charging routine and wait to charge beyond 80% until just before you use them.

Do the AirPods 4 or AirPods 3 block noise better?

While the AirPods 4 earbuds have been slightly redesigned, like their predecessor, they’re still an unsealed fit. There are some advantages to not having a rubberized ear tip—it can help you stay aware of your surroundings in busy environments. Unfortunately, without a complete seal, neither pair offers much for passive isolation.

Do the AirPods 4 sound better than the AirPods 3?

The AirPods 4 and AirPods 3 offer similar sound quality but feature a slightly different frequency response. The same caveats about an unsealed design apply to both. Namely, if the earbuds don’t fit your ears well, you won’t experience much bass.

Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (MDAQS)

A quick note regarding the AirPods 4 MDAQS results. While its scores are lower compared to the AirPods 3, this results from an update in our testing methods. When we tested the AirPods 3, the earbuds were forced into the ear canal to achieve the “best fit” possible. With the AirPods 4, we simply placed them into the ears of our testing head to simulate an “average fit.” So, what you see is closer to what you can expect in day-to-day use than a perfect fit. For reference, the AirPods 4 overall score of 3.6 is typical of the unsealed fit, in line with earbuds such as the Samsung Galaxy Buds3.

Objective Measurements

The measured frequency response of the new AirPods 4 is quite similar to that of the AirPods 3, but there are a few notable deviations. The AirPods 4 offer a bit more low-end extension, with a less drastic drop-off in sub-bass. You still don’t get as much sub-bass as most sealed earbuds, but it’s better than before.

Across the mids, the AirPods 4 perform the same as the AirPods 3. There are some notable differences in the treble though. Compared to the previous generation, the AirPods 4 under-emphasize treble frequencies from 3-6kHz, which is perceived as less detail on vocal harmonies and guitars. On the other hand, the AirPods 4 have much more treble extension beyond 10kHz, which is ideal for older listeners with noise-induced hearing loss.

Do the AirPods 4 or AirPods 3 have a better microphone?

While either pair of AirPods can handle a phone call or Zoom meeting without issue, the new AirPods 4 feature AAC-ELD speech codec for improved call quality. That said, we didn’t notice much of a difference. If anything, the AirPods 4 have a tougher time rejecting wind noise than the AirPods 3. Take a listen to our samples below to hear the quality difference for yourself.

AirPods 4 microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

AirPods 3 microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

AirPods 4 microphone demo (Windy conditions):

AirPods 3 microphone demo (Windy conditions):

AirPods 4 vs AirPods 3: Price and availability

The AirPods 4 are priced at $129 at Amazon, making them the most affordable pair of AirPods to date.

The AirPods 3 are now discontinued but initially sold for a much higher price of $179. You can still find the AirPods 3 in secondary markets, often going for around the same price as the AirPods 4.

Should you get the AirPods 4 or AirPods 3?

If you’re in the market for a new pair of AirPods and don’t need Active Noise Cancellation, the new AirPods 4 are a no-brainer. At $129, they are the most affordable pair of AirPods yet, have a redesigned shape, offer a smaller charging case, and have the latest tech with the H2 chip. I wouldn’t waste your time trying to find a pair of 3rd Gens, unless you can get them for very cheap.

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