Apple EarPods (USB-C) vs Apple AirPods 4
Quick take: The Apple EarPods (USB-C) costs $82 less.
| Spec | Apple EarPods (USB-C) | Apple AirPods 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Approx. price | ~$17 | ~$99 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Wired & Studio | Wireless Earbuds |
| Noise Cancelling | None | None |
| Battery (single charge) | — | 5 hrs |
| Battery (with case) | — | 30 hrs |
| Quick Charge | — | 5 min = 1 hr |
| Codecs | — | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth | — | 5.3 |
| Multipoint | No | No |
| Driver Size | — | — |
| Weight | — | 4.3 g |
| Water Resistance | — | IP54 |
| Wireless Charging | No | No |
| Transparency Mode | No | No |
| Spatial Audio | No | Yes |
| App EQ | No | No |
Pros & cons
Apple EarPods (USB-C)
- ✓Built-in DAC in the USB-C plug drives full volume
- ✓Inline mic beats most Bluetooth buds for calls
- ✓Seventeen dollars — effectively disposable without guilt
- ✓No tips to fuss with or lose
- ✓Open fit keeps traffic and coworkers audible
- ✓Works with any USB-C phone, iPad, or laptop
- ✗Bass is thin unless they happen to fit
- ✗Zero isolation on buses and planes
- ✗One-size fit is love-it-or-hate-it
- ✗Cable longevity is fine, not endless
- ✗USB-C only — older iPhones and jacks excluded
Apple AirPods 4
- ✓Same H2 chip and call quality as the ANC version
- ✓Featherweight 4.3g open fit stays comfortable for hours
- ✓30-hour total battery with the case
- ✓Personalized Spatial Audio with head tracking
- ✓IP54 dust and splash resistance
- ✓5-minute charge buys an hour
- ✗No ANC or Transparency — the ANC version costs little more
- ✗Case is USB-C only; no wireless charging or Find My speaker
- ✗Measurably leaner sub-bass than the ANC version
- ✗Fit lottery — hard plastic shape either fits you or it doesn't
- ✗AAC only, no EQ, feature-poor on Android