The drop in prices of the AirPods 4, better than on Black Friday, makes them an excellent gift option for Christmas.
This addresses my only concern with the AirPods 4 that feature active noise cancellation.
The AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation did not receive significant discounts during Black Friday, which is understandable given that they were released in September. In a review of these headphones, it was noted that their main drawback is that they don't seem to offer excellent value for money, especially when the AirPods Pro 2 are available at similar or even lower prices. However, there is currently an offer that addresses this: the AirPods 4 with ANC are available for $139 on Amazon, down from their original price of $179. Although their price dropped to $165 during Black Friday, this new price represents a better option compared to other AirPods alternatives.
It is also worth mentioning that the AirPods Pro 2 can be purchased for $169 on Amazon, which is $15 more than during Black Friday, but still $80 less than the list price, making them highly recommendable at this price.
As for the more affordable non-ANC AirPods 4 models, they are available for $119 on Amazon, representing a $10 discount, although it is suggested to consider the additional expense for the version with noise cancellation.
In a personal test, it was highlighted that the noise cancellation feature of the AirPods 4 is surprisingly effective, even without ear tips that properly seal the ear canal. Additionally, battery life expectations were exceeded, reaching up to 6.5 hours of playback with noise cancellation activated, whereas only four hours of performance was expected.
When directly comparing the AirPods 4 with ANC to the AirPods Pro 2, it is noted that the latter offers clearer and more expansive sound, and their in-ear design provides superior noise cancellation. The UWB location tracking feature in the Pro 2 case is also valuable, allowing for precise device locating.
Meanwhile, the case for the AirPods 4 with ANC is very compact, which is appealing to many users, especially those who prefer an open-fit style instead of ear tips. With a price that is $30 less, it’s no surprise that many people choose them, especially considering their ranking as "the best open-fit earbuds for iPhone," a title that resonates even more with the current price of $139.
