Apple AirPods 4 / Apple AirPods Max (Lightning, 2020)

Apple AirPods 4: AirPods 4 (2024), the basic model without active noise cancellation; USB‑C charging case. The same-design AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation and the AirPods Pro models are separate.

Apple AirPods Max (Lightning, 2020): AirPods Max 1, the first version with a Lightning charging port (2020); Silver, Space Grey, Sky Blue, Pink and Green. The 2024 USB‑C version and AirPods Max 2 are separate models.

Specification	Apple AirPods 4	Apple AirPods Max (Lightning, 2020)
Release year	2024	2020
Type	Open-fit (no silicone tips) wireless earbuds; USB‑C charging case This is the basic AirPods 4 without active noise cancellation. The identical-looking “AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation” is a separate product. Apple	—
Audio technology	Custom high‑excursion Apple driver, custom high dynamic range amplifier; Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking; Adaptive EQ Adaptive EQ tunes the sound to the fit in the ear. Spatial Audio needs supported content; the personal profile is created with an iPhone that has a TrueDepth camera. Apple	Apple-designed dynamic driver; Active Noise Cancellation; Transparency mode; Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking; Adaptive EQ A Personalised Spatial Audio profile is created with an iPhone that has a TrueDepth camera; the feature needs compatible content and apps. Apple
Noise control	Vent system for pressure equalisation; active noise cancellation only on the separately sold ANC model At launch Apple offered two distinct models: AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation. This model has an open design that does not seal the ear canal. Apple	—
Chip	H2 headphone chip H2 enables Voice Isolation, Siri Interactions with head gestures and Personalised Spatial Audio. Apple	Apple H1 headphone chip in each ear cup Apple
Microphones and sensors	Dual beamforming microphones, inward‑facing microphone, optical in‑ear sensor, motion- and speech-detecting accelerometers, force sensor The speech-detecting accelerometer helps detect when you are speaking; the optical sensor resumes playback when the bud is put in. Apple	—
Controls	Press the stem: once to play/pause or answer, twice to skip forward or end a call, three times to skip back, press and hold for Siri; “Siri” voice activation; nod or shake your head to answer calls Apple’s control list does not include volume adjustment on the stem. Apple	Digital Crown (volume, play/pause, calls, track skip, Siri) and noise control button Turning the Digital Crown changes the volume; the noise control button switches between Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode. Apple
Durability	IP54 dust, sweat and water resistance (earbuds and case) According to Apple this is for non-water sports and exercise; resistance is not permanent and may decrease with wear. Do not charge when wet. Apple	—
Battery	Up to 5 hours listening per charge; up to 30 hours total with the case; 5 minutes in the case ≈ 1 hour listening Apple measured these figures at 50% volume with Spatial Audio off. Apple	Up to 20 hours of listening with Active Noise Cancellation or Transparency on; up to 20 hours of movies with Spatial Audio on; 5 minutes of charge gives about 1.5 hours of listening Apple’s figures come from pre-production tests with an iPhone 12 Pro Max in November 2020. Apple
Charging	Charging case with USB‑C port; USB‑C cable sold separately Apple says the case is more than 10 percent smaller in volume than its predecessor. Charging with an Apple Watch charger or Qi-certified charger is specific to the ANC model. Apple	—
Connectivity	Bluetooth 5.3 It works as a Bluetooth headset with Android and other devices, but Apple says functions may be limited. Full features require current iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS or tvOS. Apple	Bluetooth 5.0 Apple
Size and weight	Earbud: 30.2 × 18.3 × 18.1 mm, 4.3 g; case: 46.2 × 50.1 × 21.2 mm, 32.3 g Apple	187.3 × 168.6 × 83.4 mm; 384.8 g with cushions; Smart Case 134.5 g Apple
Accessibility	Live Listen, headphone levels, Headphone Accommodations Apple	—
Microphones	—	Nine microphones in total: eight for noise cancellation; three for voice pickup (two shared with noise cancellation) Apple
Sensors	—	Optical, position and case-detect sensors plus an accelerometer in each cup; gyroscope in the left cup The position and optical sensors detect when the headphones are put on or taken off to pause and resume playback. Apple
Charging and case	—	Charging via Lightning; the battery enters an ultra-low-power state in the Smart Case The box contains the headphones, the Smart Case and a Lightning to USB‑C cable. There is no separate power button; the Smart Case handles power saving. Apple
Compatibility	—	Apple devices running the latest iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, macOS or tvOS They work as Bluetooth headphones with Apple devices on older software and with non-Apple devices, but functionality is limited. Apple