Airpods Pro 4, the pros and cons?

The AirPods Pro 4 are the latest offering in Apple’s line of wireless earbuds, bringing new features and improvements. But with these upgrades come important factors to consider. Let’s break down the pros and cons of this new release to help you decide if they’re right for your needs.

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By Evan GanSep 17, 20240 comments

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AirPods Pro 4: The Pros and Cons

The AirPods Pro 4 are the latest offering in Apple’s line of wireless earbuds, bringing new features and improvements. But with these upgrades come important factors to consider. Let’s break down the pros and cons of this new release to help you decide if they’re right for your needs.

Pros of AirPods Pro 4

1. Improved Noise Cancellation

The AirPods Pro 4 boast better active noise cancellation (ANC) compared to their predecessors. Whether you're in a noisy environment or just want to focus, ANC has been refined to block out a wider range of sounds more effectively. This makes them ideal for use in busy areas like airports or cafes.

2. Extended Battery Life

With up to 6 hours of continuous listening on a single charge (and an additional 30 hours via the charging case), the battery life has seen a significant improvement, which makes the AirPods Pro 4 great for those on the go. You can easily get through a full workday without needing to recharge frequently.

3. Personalized Hearing Profiles

The introduction of personalized hearing capabilities is a game changer. Using the TrueDepth camera on your iPhone, the AirPods Pro 4 create a custom sound profile modeled specifically for your ear shape. This results in clearer audio, especially for podcasts, music, and calls tailored to your unique hearing preferences.

4. Adaptive Transparency Mode

The updated Transparency Mode now adjusts dynamically based on your surroundings. This means you’ll stay aware of important external sounds (like traffic or public announcements) without being overwhelmed by loud or sudden noises.

Cons of AirPods Pro 4

1. Higher Price Tag

One of the major drawbacks is the higher cost. With the added features comes a steeper price, which may feel difficult to justify for casual listeners or those who already own recent AirPods generations.

2. Limited Improvements for Casual Users

While the new tech enhancements are great for audiophiles or frequent travelers, casual users may not see enough of a difference to justify the upgrade. If you already have the AirPods Pro 2 or 3, you may not need the latest features unless you’re a tech enthusiast.

3. Proprietary Features

As always with Apple products, the AirPods Pro 4 integrate deeply with the Apple ecosystem. While this is great for iOS users, some of the key features like Spatial Audio and personalized profiles aren’t available when paired with Android devices. So, if you’re not all-in on Apple, the experience might feel limited.

4. No Major Design Change

While Apple did improve the headphone's internals, there isn’t a significant evolution in the design or aesthetics of the AirPods Pro 4. If you were hoping for a completely new look or a more secure fit for sports, you might be disappointed by the resemblance to earlier models.

Final Verdict: Should You Upgrade?

Overall, the AirPods Pro 4 offer substantial improvements in noise cancellation, battery life, and audio personalization, making them a solid choice for anyone deep in Apple’s ecosystem or serious about high-quality, immersive listening experiences.

However, if you’re a casual user who already owns a recent model, or if budget is a concern, you might want to hold off on upgrading.

For those looking to upgrade their tech or buy second-hand AirPods, visit ManMade Cycle, where you can find great deals on used gadgets.

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