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  1. Home
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Apple AirPods (3rd generation) vs AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation

Which Headphones Are Better?

    Top
    Main Differences
    Sound
      Sound ProfileFrequency Response ConsistencyRaw Frequency ResponseBass Profile: Target ComplianceMid-Range Profile: Target ComplianceTreble Profile: Target CompliancePeaks/DipsStereo MismatchGroup DelayCumulative Spectral DecayPRTFHarmonic DistortionElectrical AspectsVirtual SoundstageTest Settings
    Design
      StyleComfortControlsPortabilityCaseBuild QualityStabilityHeadshots 1Headshots 2TopIn The Box
    Isolation
      Noise Isolation - Full RangeNoise Isolation - Common ScenariosNoise Isolation - Voice HandlingANC Wind HandlingLeakage
    Microphone
      Microphone StyleRecording QualityNoise Handling
    Active Features
      BatteryApp Support
    Connectivity
      Wired ConnectionBluetooth ConnectionWireless Connection (Dongle)PC CompatibilityPlayStation CompatibilityXbox CompatibilityBase/Dock
    Comments

Products

Apple AirPods (3rd generation)
Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation

Tested using Methodology v2.0

Updated Dec 01, 2025 09:30 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v2.0

Updated Nov 27, 2025 06:25 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Apple AirPods (3rd generation) Picture

Track

Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation Picture

Track

TypeLocked
Noise CancellingLocked
EnclosureLocked
Bass Amount
Locked
WirelessLocked
TransducerLocked
Treble Amount
Locked
MicLocked
Sound Signature
Locked
TypeLocked
Noise CancellingLocked
EnclosureLocked
Bass Amount
Locked
WirelessLocked
TransducerLocked
Treble Amount
Locked
MicLocked
Sound Signature
Locked
  1. Recommended in 2 articles:
  2. Apple
  3. Earbuds For iPhone

Our Verdict

Apple AirPods (3rd generation)

Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation

The Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation are the newer generation of the Apple AirPods (3rd generation), and they feature improvements across the board. Both buds have a similar, one-size-fits-all, open-back design and a decent build quality, but the AirPods 4 ANC form a more stable fit. The newer version also has a better bass extension and delivers audio more consistently, which is quite the feat for open-back buds. The biggest selling point of the AirPods 4 ANC is their ANC system, which does a solid job of isolating against common scenarios. That said, the 3rd generation have a longer continuous battery life and retail for a little less, so they're still an okay option if you're looking for budget buds and don't care about noise isolation. 

0 

Variants

  • AirPods (3rd generation) (Lightning Charging Case - White)
  • AirPods (3rd generation) (White)
  • AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation (White)

Review

See Apple AirPods (3rd generation) Review
See Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation Review
2 
4 

Check Price

White
AirPods (3rd generation)
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
White
AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Lightning Charging Case - White
AirPods (3rd generation)
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
White
AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation
SEE PRICE
Apple.com
 
White
AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation
SEE PRICE
B&H
 
White
AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
 
White
AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com

Main Differences for
Sports And Fitness

Threshold 

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Sports And Fitness 
 

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Full Comparison

Sound

Sound Profile 
 

Sound Profile  

Apple AirPods (3rd generation) Sound Profile Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation Sound Profile Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Normalization Frequency 
 

Lock Hz
Lock Hz

Bass Amount 
 

Locked
Locked

Treble Amount 
 

Locked
Locked

Sound Signature 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Frequency Response Consistency 
 

N/A
N/A

Consistency L  

Apple AirPods (3rd generation) Consistency L Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation Consistency L Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Consistency R  

Apple AirPods (3rd generation) Consistency R Sample

SAMPLE

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Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation Consistency R Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Std. Deviation 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Raw Frequency Response 
 

Raw FR L  

Apple AirPods (3rd generation) Raw FR L Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation Raw FR L Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Raw FR R  

Apple AirPods (3rd generation) Raw FR R Sample

SAMPLE

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Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation Raw FR R Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Bass Profile: Target Compliance 
 

N/A
N/A

Bass Profile: Target Compliance  

Apple AirPods (3rd generation) Bass Profile: Target Compliance Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation Bass Profile: Target Compliance Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

RMS Deviation From Target 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

Lock Hz
Lock Hz

Low Bass 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Mid Bass 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

High Bass 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Mid-Range Profile: Target Compliance 
 

N/A
N/A

Mid-Range Profile: Target Compliance  

Apple AirPods (3rd generation) Mid-Range Profile: Target Compliance Sample

SAMPLE

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Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation Mid-Range Profile: Target Compliance Sample

SAMPLE

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RMS Deviation From Target 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Low Mid 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Mid-Mid 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

High Mid 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Treble Profile: Target Compliance 
 

N/A
N/A

Treble Profile: Target Compliance  

Apple AirPods (3rd generation) Treble Profile: Target Compliance Sample

SAMPLE

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Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation Treble Profile: Target Compliance Sample

SAMPLE

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RMS Deviation From Target 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Low Treble 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Mid Treble 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

High Treble 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Peaks/Dips 
 

N/A
N/A

Peaks/Dips Graph 
 

Apple AirPods (3rd generation) Peaks/Dips Graph Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation Peaks/Dips Graph Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Peaks 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Dips 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Stereo Mismatch 
 

N/A
N/A

Frequency Response Mismatch  

Apple AirPods (3rd generation) Frequency Response Mismatch Sample

SAMPLE

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Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation Frequency Response Mismatch Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Phase Response Mismatch  

Apple AirPods (3rd generation) Phase Response Mismatch Sample

SAMPLE

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Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation Phase Response Mismatch Sample

SAMPLE

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Weighted Amplitude Mismatch 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Weighted Frequency Response Mismatch 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Weighted Phase Mismatch 
 

Lock°
Lock°
Show Text 

Group Delay 
 

N/A
N/A

Group Delay  

Apple AirPods (3rd generation) Group Delay Sample

SAMPLE

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Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation Group Delay Sample

SAMPLE

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Weighted Group Delay 
 

Lock ms
Lock ms
Show Text 

Cumulative Spectral Decay 
 

CSD 
 

Apple AirPods (3rd generation) CSD Sample

SAMPLE

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Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation CSD Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

PRTF 
 

N/A
N/A

PRTF  

Apple AirPods (3rd generation) PRTF Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation PRTF Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

PRTF Accuracy (RMS Deviation) 
 

N/A
N/A

PRTF Size (Avg.) 
 

N/A
N/A

PRTF Distance 
 

N/A
N/A

Harmonic Distortion 
 

N/A
N/A

Harmonics Levels  

Apple AirPods (3rd generation) Harmonics Levels Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation Harmonics Levels Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

THD Ratio  

Apple AirPods (3rd generation) THD Ratio Sample

SAMPLE

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Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation THD Ratio Sample

SAMPLE

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WHD @ 94 dB SPL 
 

Lock%
Lock%

WHD @ 104 dB SPL 
 

Lock%
Lock%
Show Text 

Electrical Aspects 
 

Impedance  

Apple AirPods (3rd generation) Impedance Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation Impedance Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Sensitivity @1kHz-1V 
 

N/A
N/A

Bluetooth Max SPL 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Virtual Soundstage 
 

N/A
N/A

Virtual Soundstage 
 

Apple AirPods (3rd generation) Virtual Soundstage Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation Virtual Soundstage Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Head Modeling 
 

Locked
Locked

Speaker Modeling 
 

Locked
Locked

Room Ambience 
 

Locked
Locked

Head Tracking 
 

Locked
Locked

Virtual Surround 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Test Settings 
 

Firmware 
 

Locked
Locked

Power 
 

Locked
Locked

Connection 
 

Locked
Locked

Codec 
 

Locked
Locked

Test Instrument  

Locked
Locked

EQ 
 

Locked
Locked

ANC 
 

Locked
Locked

Tip/Pad 
 

Locked
Locked

Microphone 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 
Design

Style  

Design Picture 2 
 

Apple AirPods (3rd generation) Design Picture 2 Sample

SAMPLE

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Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation Design Picture 2 Sample

SAMPLE

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Type  

Locked
Locked

Enclosure  

Locked
Locked

Wireless  

Locked
Locked

Transducer  

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Comfort 
 

N/A
N/A

Comfort Picture 
 

Apple AirPods (3rd generation) Comfort Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation Comfort Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Weight  

Lock lbs
Lock lbs

Clamping Force 
 

N/A
N/A
Show Text 

Controls 
 

N/A
N/A

Controls Picture 
 

Apple AirPods (3rd generation) Controls Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation Controls Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

OS Compatibility 
 

Locked
Locked

Ease Of Use  

Locked
Locked

Feedback  

Locked
Locked

Call/Music Control  

Locked
Locked

Volume Control  

Locked
Locked

Microphone Control  

Locked
Locked

Channel Mixing 
 

Locked
Locked

Noise Cancelling Control  

Locked
Locked

Talk-Through 
 

Locked
Locked

Additional Controls  

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Portability 
 

N/A
N/A

Portability Picture 
 

Apple AirPods (3rd generation) Portability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

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Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation Portability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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L  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

W  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

H  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

Volume  

Lock in³ (Lock cm³)
Lock in³ (Lock cm³)

Transmitter Required  

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Case 
 

N/A
N/A

Case Picture 
 

Apple AirPods (3rd generation) Case Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

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Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation Case Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Type  

Locked
Locked

L  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

W  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

H  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

Volume  

Lock in³ (Lock cm³)
Lock in³ (Lock cm³)
Show Text 

Build Quality 
 

N/A
N/A

Build Quality Picture 
 

Apple AirPods (3rd generation) Build Quality Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation Build Quality Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Show Text 

Stability 
 

N/A
N/A

Stability Picture 
 

Apple AirPods (3rd generation) Stability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation Stability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Show Text 

Headshots 1  

Angled Picture 
 

Apple AirPods (3rd generation) Angled Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation Angled Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Side Picture 
 

Apple AirPods (3rd generation) Side Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

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Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation Side Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Headshots 2  

Front Picture 
 

Apple AirPods (3rd generation) Front Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation Front Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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for pictures & test results

Rear Picture 
 

Apple AirPods (3rd generation) Rear Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation Rear Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Top  

Top Picture 
 

Apple AirPods (3rd generation) Top Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation Top Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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In The Box  

In The Box Picture 
 

Apple AirPods (3rd generation) In The Box Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation In The Box Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Show Text 
Isolation

Noise Isolation - Full Range 
 

N/A
N/A

Noise Isolation - Full Range Graph  

Apple AirPods (3rd generation) Noise Isolation - Full Range Graph Sample

SAMPLE

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Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation Noise Isolation - Full Range Graph Sample

SAMPLE

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Noise Cancelling  

Locked
Locked

Overall Attenuation 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Bass 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Mid 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Treble 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios 
 

N/A
N/A

Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios Graph  

Apple AirPods (3rd generation) Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios Graph Sample

SAMPLE

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Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios Graph Sample

SAMPLE

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Airplane Noise Attenuation 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Airplane Noise Isolation Audio 
 

JOIN NOW
JOIN NOW

Office Noise Attenuation 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Office Noise Isolation Audio 
 

JOIN NOW
JOIN NOW

Street Noise Attenuation 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Street Noise Isolation Audio 
 

JOIN NOW
JOIN NOW
Show Text 

Noise Isolation - Voice Handling 
 

Female Voice 1 
 

JOIN NOW
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Male Voice 1 
 

JOIN NOW
JOIN NOW

Female Voice 2 
 

JOIN NOW
JOIN NOW

Male Voice 2 
 

JOIN NOW
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ANC Wind Handling 
 

ANC Wind Handling Graph  

Apple AirPods (3rd generation) ANC Wind Handling Graph Sample

SAMPLE

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Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation ANC Wind Handling Graph Sample

SAMPLE

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ANC Wind Noise 
 

JOIN NOW
JOIN NOW
Show Text 

Leakage 
 

N/A
N/A

Leakage  

Apple AirPods (3rd generation) Leakage Sample

SAMPLE

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Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation Leakage Sample

SAMPLE

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Leakage Audio 
 

JOIN NOW
JOIN NOW

Overall Leakage @ 1ft 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 
Microphone

Microphone Style 
 

Integrated 
 

Locked
Locked

In-Line 
 

Locked
Locked

Boom 
 

Locked
Locked

Detachable Boom 
 

Locked
Locked

Mic  

Locked
Locked

Recording Quality 
 

N/A
N/A

Microphone Frequency Response  

Apple AirPods (3rd generation) Microphone Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation Microphone Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

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Recorded Speech 
 

JOIN NOW
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LFE 
 

Lock Hz
Lock Hz

FR Std. Dev. 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

HFE 
 

Lock Hz
Lock Hz

Weighted THD 
 

Lock
Lock

Gain 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Noise Handling 
 

N/A
N/A

SpNR  

Apple AirPods (3rd generation) SpNR Sample

SAMPLE

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Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation SpNR Sample

SAMPLE

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SpNR 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Noise Gate 
 

Locked
Locked

Speech + Pink Noise Handling 
 

0.0
0.0

Speech + Pink Noise Audio Sample  

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Speech + Subway Noise Handling 
 

0.0
0.0

Speech + Subway Noise Audio Sample  

JOIN NOW
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Show Text 
Active Features

Battery 
 

N/A
N/A

Battery Type 
 

Locked
Locked

Continuous Battery Life 
 

Lock hrs
Lock hrs

Additional Charges 
 

Lock
Lock

Total Battery Life 
 

Lock hrs
Lock hrs

Charge Time 
 

Lock hrs
Lock hrs

Power-Saving Feature 
 

Locked
Locked

Audio While Charging 
 

Locked
Locked

Passive Playback 
 

Locked
Locked

Charging Port  

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

App Support 
 

N/A
N/A

App Picture 
 

Apple AirPods (3rd generation) App Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

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Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation App Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

App Name  

Locked
Locked

iOS  

Locked
Locked

Android  

Locked
Locked

macOS  

Locked
Locked

Windows  

Locked
Locked

Equalizer 
 

Locked
Locked

ANC Control 
 

Locked
Locked

Mic Control  

Locked
Locked

Room Effects 
 

Locked
Locked

Playback Control 
 

Locked
Locked

Button Mapping  

Locked
Locked

Surround Support 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 
Connectivity

Wired Connection 
 

N/A
N/A

Cable Picture 
 

Apple AirPods (3rd generation) Cable Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation Cable Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Analog Audio 
 

Locked
Locked

USB Audio 
 

Locked
Locked

Detachable 
 

Locked
Locked

Length 
 

N/A
N/A

Connector 
 

Locked
Locked

Latency - Analog 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency - USB 
 

N/A
N/A

Recorded Latency 
 

JOIN NOW
JOIN NOW

Recorded Latency Connection  

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Bluetooth Connection 
 

N/A
N/A

Bluetooth Version 
 

Locked
Locked

Multi-Device Pairing 
 

Locked
Locked

Quick Pair (Android) 
 

Locked
Locked

Quick Pair (iOS) 
 

Locked
Locked

Line Of Sight Range 
 

Lock ft (Lock m)
Lock ft (Lock m)

Latency - SBC 
 

Lock ms
Lock ms

Latency - aptX 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency - aptX Adaptive (High Quality) 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency - aptX Adaptive (Low Latency) 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency - LDAC 
 

N/A
N/A

Recorded Latency 
 

JOIN NOW
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Recorded Latency Codec  

Locked
Locked

AAC Support 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Wireless Connection (Dongle) 
 

N/A
N/A

Line Of Sight Range 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency - Dongle 
 

N/A
N/A

Recorded Latency 
 

JOIN NOW
JOIN NOW

PC Compatibility 
 

Analog 
 

Locked
Locked

Wired USB 
 

Locked
Locked

Non-BT Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

PlayStation Compatibility 
 

PS4 Analog 
 

Locked
Locked

PS4 Wired USB 
 

Locked
Locked

PS4 Non-BT Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked

PS5 Analog 
 

Locked
Locked

PS5 Wired USB 
 

Locked
Locked

PS5 Non-BT Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked

Xbox Compatibility 
 

Xbox One Analog 
 

Locked
Locked

Xbox One Wired USB 
 

Locked
Locked

Xbox One Non-BT Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked

Xbox Series X|S Analog 
 

Locked
Locked

Xbox Series X|S Wired USB 
 

Locked
Locked

Xbox Series X|S Non-BT Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked

Base/Dock 
 

N/A
N/A

Type 
 

Locked
Locked

USB Input 
 

Locked
Locked

Line In 
 

Locked
Locked

Line Out 
 

Locked
Locked

Optical Input 
 

Locked
Locked

RCA Input 
 

Locked
Locked

Dock Charging 
 

Locked
Locked

Power Supply 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Check Price

White
AirPods (3rd generation)
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
White
AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Lightning Charging Case - White
AirPods (3rd generation)
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
White
AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation
SEE PRICE
Apple.com
 
White
AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation
SEE PRICE
B&H
 
White
AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
 
White
AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
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Apple AirPods (3rd generation)

Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 10 months ago

Apple AirPods (3rd generation) vs Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation: Main Discussion

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