AirPods Pro 2 vs AirPods 4th Gen: Should You Upgrade?

Apple is well-known for releasing quality tech in the market, including the Apple Watch Ultra, the newer iOS, and even the AirPods. One of the strange things about AirPods, which I also believe is true, is that most youngsters use their AirPods more than they use their iPhones and iPads because they are always plugged in for music, videos, TikToks, calls, gaming, and whatnot. So, it becomes crucial to pick the right pair of AirPods, the one that offers more features, has much better sound, and can let you do the magic, like nodding your head to pick up or disconnect calls.

And Apple releases one AirPod every year, so there are many choices which often leave the users confused. Now, to help you tackle this, we came up with this review on comparing two of the game-changing AirPods models in the entire lineup: 2nd Gen AirPods Pro and 4th Gen AirPods.

AirPods Pro 2nd Gen vs 4th Gen AirPods: Should You be Upgrading?

In this review, we are doing some tear and wear to understand which AirPods model is a perfect choice for you. Should you be going with the newer variant or stick to the older version? Let’s find it out.

For rush goers, here is a quick 1-minute quip review for you,

Features	AirPods Pro 2	AirPods 4th Gen
Design	In-ear with silicone tips (XS, S, M, L)	Open-ear
Fit Type	Customizable in-ear fit	Open-ear design
Noise Cancellation (ANC)	Advanced ANC	Basic ANC
Transparency Mode	Yes	No
Sound Quality	Rich bass, immersive sound	Balanced sound
Controls	Touch controls with volume adjustments	Force sensor, no touch volume control
Battery Life (per charge)	6 hours with ANC	5 hours
Total Battery Life (with case)	30 hours	30 hours
Charging Time (Quick Charge)	5 minutes for 1 hour	5 minutes for 1 hour
Spatial Audio	Yes	Yes
Water Resistance	IPX4	IPX4
Price	$249 (discounts available)	$129 (standard), $179 (with ANC)

Let’s get into the details now; here is how AirPods Pro 2 are different than the 4th Gen AirPods,

1. Design and Comfort: What Fits Your Ears Best?

From a design perspective, the AirPods Pro 2 offers a snug fit with an in-ear design that won’t move during your intense workouts. With customizable silicone ear tips in four sizes (XS, S, M, L), you can find a comfortable seal, boosting bothcomfort and sound quality. The design also helps with passive noise and isolation, making it perfect for blocking out the world when you need to focus.

On the other hand, the 4th Gen AirPods stick to the open-ear design like its predecessors – no silicone tips here. These rest gently in your ear and are great if you don’t like those silicone tips going way inside your ear canal. The design also helps you stay aware of your surroundings, so it’s a great choice if you are often using your AirPods in work areas or when with your family.

Overall, if you are looking for comfort and stability during your intense workout, dance, or running sessions, the AirPods Pro 2 is an excellent choice for a secure fit. However, if you prefer a lighter feel or want to stay aware of your surroundings, the 4th Gen AirPods is a much better option.

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2. Sound Quality: Which One Sounds Better?

If you are an audiophile who is looking for a richer bass and clearer highs, the AirPods Pro 2 is a much better option. The Sound performance is excellent, with minimal sound leakage, thanks to the in-ear design. Alongside, the secure fit enhances the immersive experience, making it a perfect choice for music lovers who crave detailed, high-quality sound.

The 4th Gen AirPods cannot really match the sound depth of the Pro model as the design is more open; however, it has some significant changes from its previous models, more precisely, the 2nd Gen AirPods and 3rd Gen AirPods. The audio is well-balanced and is enjoyable for casual listening but lacks the punchy bass and immersive clarity in comparison.

AirPods Pro 2 is definitely a choice for those who are crazy about music and want to enjoy superior sound quality and deeper bass. However, for casual listeners who prefer a more lightweight and comfortness, the 4th Gen AirPods is a solid pick.

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3. Noise Cancellation: Active or Passive?

Noise cancellation is one of the crucial USPs of today’s truly wireless earbuds. As the world is noisier outside, users just plug in and isolate themselves for some peace. Now, the AirPods Pro 2 offers some commendable ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) capabilities; with the Pro 2, you can silence even the noisiest environments. Be it you are on a plane, in a busy office, or commuting on a train. What makes it more effective is that you get an exceptional noise-blocking experience with the in-ear design of the pro models. To also be in constant touch with the world, you can enable transparency mode and conversation awareness to let the outside world in when needed.

Released a year after the 2nd Gen Pro model, the AirPods 4th Gen also introduces something new on the base lineup – ANC on an open-ear design. Now, this ANC is not as effective as the pro models in the noisy environments but they work just find in coffee shops and moderately busy offices.

If you like being isolated from the outside noise, the AirPods Pro 2 is your best bet in this comparison. However, for a more casual noise cancellation with an open feel, the AirPods 4th Gen will just suffice.

If you just want noise cancellation to cut off the outside world; you can also replace your AirPods with loop earplugs . These stylish noise reduction earplugs are just great for blocking outside noise and help you stay focus and enjoy being with yourself. 

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4. Features and Controls: What’s in Your Ears?

Wireless earbuds are now not all about screaming music in your ears; there is much these offer now. For instance, with the AirPods Pro 2, you get the touch controls on the stems to adjust the volume, tap to pause music, or answer calls. In fact, you can now nod your head up and down and left to right to answer or disconnect calls. And such features come late to the devices with no costly upgrades, just a software update, and your AirPods do the magic. All the reasons to love Apple over other brands.

Apple also teases some exciting updates like hearing health features (hearing protection and hearing aid functionalities), making them just more than earbuds. When you misplace them, use the Find My app on your other Apple device, like the iPhone or Mac, to find your AirPods, and also make it scream some beeping sounds to make it easier to find.

While the 4th Gen AirPods miss out on the touch features, you still have a force sensor that helps you control playback with simple taps, and you can control audio levels using Siri commands. While the 4th Gen misses out on crucial features, it also incorporates some valuable ones, like the Find My integration, which makes it easier to find your AirPods when you lose them.

It is obvious to find fewer features on the 4th Gen AirPods as it is a part of the base model lineup. For all the fancy features, the AirPods Pro 2 takes the edge while the 4th Gen AirPods embraces easy-to-use controls and simplicity.

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5. Battery Life: Which One Lasts Longer?

No one likes their AirPods dead while they are in the middle of their favorite song, podcast, or gaming. It’s so annoying. This is why the battery factor turns out to be one of the crucial things when picking up a wireless earbuds for youreveryday use.

The AirPods Pro 2 offers 6 hours of listening time on a single charge with Active Noise Cancellation enabled. So, if the ANC is disabled, you can expect an hour or two more of use on a single charge. Along with the charging case, you get a total of 30 hours of battery on your AirPods. In addition, a quick 5-minute charge will offer you an extra hour of listening, which is a blessing for those who are always in a rush.

On the other hand, the 4th Gen AirPods offer 5 hours of use on a single charge with no ANC enabled. Along with the charging case, you get a total of 30 hours of battery on your AirPods. Likewise to the 2nd Gen Pro, these offer a quick 5-minute charge, which gives you an extra hour of playback.

Both the AirPods models offer 30 hours of playback with the charging case and a quick 5-minute charge for an extra hour of playback. However, we believe the Pro models do better than the 4th Gen AirPods as they last a little longer on a single charge. 

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6. Price: Does It Fit Your Budget?

The AirPods Pro 2 falls under the pro model lineup, which makes them more expensive than the base lineup; of course, the expense comes with all the added features, such as powerful ANC and touch controls. With a price tag of $249, these are an investment for audiophiles. Nevertheless, these are also available at discounts on occasional online sales, sometimes dropping below $200, making them tempting for those who want all the features Apple has to offer.

On the other hand, the AirPods 4th Gen starts at $129 for the standard model and $179 for the ANC version; though affordable, the ANC version comes closer to the price of the AirPods 2nd Gen Pro while lacking all the added features. Also, the ANC doesn’t stop all the noise due to the open-ear design of the 4th Gen AirPods. Overall, the point is that they are from Apple, they sound decent, they have some great quality from their predecessor, and they are affordable. For users who don’t need all the bells and whistles of the Pro, this is a great value.

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Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs]: AirPods Pro 2 vs AirPods 4th Gen

Verdict: AirPods Pro 2 vs AirPods 4th Gen | Which One Should You Choose?

The decision comes down to your personal needs and budget. If you are a passionate music lover who needs top-tier sound quality, advanced noise cancellation, and cutting-edge features, the AirPods Pro 2 is definitely a clear winner. However, if you are looking for comfort, simplicity, and a more affordable price, the 4th Gen AirPods can be your go-to pick.

Choose AirPods Pro 2 if you want:

• The best ANC to block the outside world from getting into your head.
• Superior sound quality and immersive listening with spatial audio.
• Touch controls and added features.

Choose AirPods 4th Gen if you want:

• An affordable option with good noise cancellation.
• A lightweight open-ear design that’s comfortable for long sessions.
• Simpler, easy-to-use controls.

What are your thoughts on this upgrade? Do let us know in the comment section below. Feel free to explore our AirPods guides to explore more useful and handy tips on the Apple AirPods. If you like this article, quickly share it on your social media handles and tag us. Also, join our Telegram channel, Facebook page, and Twitter to never miss a quick update.