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  1. Home
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Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation vs AirPods 5

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 MismatchCumulative Spectral DecayPRTFHarmonic DistortionElectrical AspectsTest 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 Compatibility
    Comments

Products

Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation
Apple AirPods 5 
early access

Tested using Methodology v2.3

Updated Aug 06, 2026 12:42 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon

Tested using Methodology v2.3

Updated Sep 29, 2026 04:29 PM

This review is in Early access

SEE PRICE
Amazon
Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation Picture

Track

Apple AirPods 5 Picture

Track

TypeEarbuds
Noise CancellingYes
EnclosureOpen-Back
Bass Amount
Slightly Underemphasized (-2 dB)
WirelessTruly Wireless
Treble Amount
Very Underemphasized (-6 dB)
MicYes
Sound Signature
Warm
TypeEarbuds
Noise CancellingYes
EnclosureOpen-Back
Bass Amount
Underemphasized (-5 dB)
WirelessTruly Wireless
Treble Amount
Underemphasized (-5 dB)
MicYes
Sound Signature
Flat
  1. Recommended in 2 articles:
  2. Apple
  3. Earbuds For iPhone

Our Verdict

Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation

Apple AirPods 5

Full comparison details regarding individual product score sets can be found in the section below

GIFT THIS COMPARISON

0 

Variants

  • AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation (White)
  • AirPods 5 (White)
  • AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case (White)

Review

See Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation Review
See Apple AirPods 5 Review
4 
2 

Check Price

White
AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation
SEE PRICE
Amazon
White
AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case
SEE PRICE
Amazon
White
AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation
SEE PRICE
B&H
White
AirPods 5
SEE PRICE
Amazon
White
AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
 
White
AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
 
White
AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation
SEARCH
Apple.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 4 with Active Noise Cancellation Sound Profile Sample

SAMPLE

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Apple AirPods 5 Sound Profile Sample

SAMPLE

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Normalization Frequency 
 

Lock Hz
Lock Hz

Bass Amount 
 

Locked
Locked

Treble Amount 
 

Locked
Locked

Sound Signature 
 

Locked
Locked

Frequency Response Consistency 
 

N/A
N/A

Consistency L  

Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation Consistency L Sample

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Apple AirPods 5 Consistency L Sample

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Consistency R  

Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation Consistency R Sample

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Apple AirPods 5 Consistency R Sample

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Std. Deviation 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Raw Frequency Response 
 

Raw FR L  

Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation Raw FR L Sample

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Apple AirPods 5 Raw FR L Sample

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Raw FR R  

Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation Raw FR R Sample

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Apple AirPods 5 Raw FR R Sample

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Bass Profile: Target Compliance 
 

N/A
N/A

Bass Profile: Target Compliance  

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

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Apple AirPods 5 Bass Profile: Target Compliance Sample

SAMPLE

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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

Mid-Range Profile: Target Compliance 
 

N/A
N/A

Mid-Range Profile: Target Compliance  

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

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Apple AirPods 5 Mid-Range Profile: Target Compliance 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

Treble Profile: Target Compliance 
 

N/A
N/A

Treble Profile: Target Compliance  

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

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Apple AirPods 5 Treble Profile: Target Compliance 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

Peaks/Dips 
 

N/A
N/A

Peaks/Dips Graph 
 

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

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Apple AirPods 5 Peaks/Dips Graph Sample

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Peaks 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Dips 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Stereo Mismatch 
 

N/A
N/A

Frequency Response Mismatch  

Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation Frequency Response Mismatch Sample

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Apple AirPods 5 Frequency Response Mismatch Sample

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Phase Response Mismatch  

Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation Phase Response Mismatch Sample

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Apple AirPods 5 Phase Response Mismatch 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°

PRTF 
 

N/A
N/A

PRTF  

Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation PRTF Sample

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Apple AirPods 5 PRTF Sample

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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 4 with Active Noise Cancellation Harmonics Levels Sample

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Apple AirPods 5 Harmonics Levels Sample

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THD Ratio  

Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation THD Ratio Sample

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Apple AirPods 5 THD Ratio Sample

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WHD @ 94 dB SPL 
 

Lock%
Lock%

WHD @ 104 dB SPL 
 

Lock%
Lock%

Electrical Aspects 
 

Impedance  

Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation Impedance Sample

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Apple AirPods 5 Impedance Sample

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Sensitivity @1kHz-1V 
 

N/A
Lock dB SPL

Bluetooth Max SPL 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

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
Design

Style  

Design Picture 2  

Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation Design Picture 2 Sample

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Apple AirPods 5 Design Picture 2 Sample

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Type  

Locked
Locked

Enclosure  

Locked
Locked

Wireless  

Locked
Locked

Transducer  

Locked
Locked

Comfort 
 

N/A
N/A

Comfort Picture  

Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation Comfort Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Apple AirPods 5 Comfort Picture Sample

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Weight  

Lock lbs
Lock lbs

Clamping Force 
 

N/A
N/A

Controls 
 

N/A
N/A

Controls Picture  

Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation Controls Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Apple AirPods 5 Controls Picture Sample

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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

Portability 
 

N/A
N/A

Portability Picture  

Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation Portability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Apple AirPods 5 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

Case 
 

N/A
N/A

Case Picture  

Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation Case Picture Sample

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Apple AirPods 5 Case Picture Sample

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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)

Build Quality 
 

N/A
N/A

Build Quality Picture  

Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation Build Quality Picture Sample

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Apple AirPods 5 Build Quality Picture Sample

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Stability 
 

N/A
N/A

Stability Picture  

Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation Stability Picture Sample

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Apple AirPods 5 Stability Picture Sample

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Headshots 1  

Angled Picture  

Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation Angled Picture Sample

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Apple AirPods 5 Angled Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Side Picture  

Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation Side Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Apple AirPods 5 Side Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Headshots 2  

Front Picture  

Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation Front Picture Sample

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Apple AirPods 5 Front Picture Sample

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Rear Picture  

Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation Rear Picture Sample

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Apple AirPods 5 Rear Picture Sample

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Top  

Top Picture  

Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation Top Picture Sample

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Apple AirPods 5 Top Picture Sample

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In The Box  

In The Box Picture  

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

SAMPLE

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Apple AirPods 5 In The Box Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Isolation

Noise Isolation - Full Range 
 

N/A
N/A

Noise Isolation - Full Range Graph  

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

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Apple AirPods 5 Noise Isolation - Full Range Graph 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

Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios 
 

N/A
N/A

Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios Graph  

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

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Apple AirPods 5 Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios Graph Sample

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Airplane Noise Attenuation 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Airplane Noise Isolation Audio 
 

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Office Noise Attenuation 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Office Noise Isolation Audio 
 

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Street Noise Attenuation 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Street Noise Isolation Audio 
 

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Noise Isolation - Voice Handling 
 

Female Voice 1 
 

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Male Voice 1 
 

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Female Voice 2 
 

Join Now
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Male Voice 2 
 

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ANC Wind Handling 
 

ANC Wind Handling Graph  

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

SAMPLE

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Apple AirPods 5 ANC Wind Handling Graph Sample

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ANC Wind Noise 
 

Join Now
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Leakage 
 

N/A
N/A

Leakage  

Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation Leakage Sample

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Apple AirPods 5 Leakage Sample

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Leakage Audio 
 

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Overall Leakage @ 1ft 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
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 4 with Active Noise Cancellation Microphone Frequency Response Sample

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Apple AirPods 5 Microphone Frequency Response Sample

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Recorded Speech 
 

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LFE 
 

Lock Hz
Lock Hz

FR Std. Dev. 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

HFE 
 

Lock Hz
Lock Hz

Weighted THD 
 

Lock
N/A

Gain 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Noise Handling 
 

N/A
N/A

SpNR  

Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation SpNR Sample

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Apple AirPods 5 SpNR 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  

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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

App Support 
 

N/A
N/A

App Picture  

Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation App Picture Sample

SAMPLE

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Apple AirPods 5 App Picture Sample

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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

Playback Control 
 

Locked
Locked

Button Mapping  

Locked
Locked

Virtual Surround 
 

Locked
Locked
Connectivity

Wired Connection 
 

N/A
N/A

Cable Picture  

Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation Cable Picture Sample

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Apple AirPods 5 Cable Picture 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
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Recorded Latency Connection  

Locked
Locked

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

Latency - SBC 
 

Lock ms
Lock ms

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 
 

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Recorded Latency Codec  

Locked
Locked

AAC Support 
 

Locked
Locked

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
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PC Compatibility 
 

Analog 
 

Locked
Locked

Wired USB 
 

Locked
Locked

Non-BT Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked

PlayStation Compatibility 
 

PS5 Analog 
 

Locked
Locked

PS5 Wired USB 
 

Locked
Locked

PS5 Non-BT Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked

Xbox Compatibility 
 

Xbox Series X|S Analog 
 

Locked
Locked

Xbox Series X|S Wired USB 
 

Locked
Locked

Xbox Series X|S Non-BT Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked

Check Price

White
AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation
SEE PRICE
Amazon
White
AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case
SEE PRICE
Amazon
White
AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation
SEE PRICE
B&H
White
AirPods 5
SEE PRICE
Amazon
White
AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
 
White
AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
 
White
AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation
SEARCH
Apple.com
 
Back to Top

Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation

Apple AirPods 5

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 2 days ago

Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation vs Apple AirPods 5: Main Discussion

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