The AirPods 4 are Apple's standard wireless earbuds, featuring a revised design with a more comfortable fit, force sensors, Adaptive EQ, spatial audio with dynamic head tracking, Active Noise Cancellation for the higher-end model, and more. The AirPods 4 launched in September 2024, so we're still relatively early in the product cycle, and now is a good time to buy. Apple does not refresh the AirPods annually, and often waits several years before updating. There's no word on when we'll see the next AirPods update.
The AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) have the same
Apple refreshed the AirPods Max in March 2026, adding an H2 chip that brings it in line with the AirPods 4 and the AirPods Pro 3. With a new update, now is a good time to buy the AirPods Max. Apple does not update the AirPods Max frequently at all, and we are not expecting another refresh anytime soon. The AirPods Max were introduced in 2020 and did not receive a major update until 2026.
With a $549 price tag, AirPods Max are more expensive than Apple's smaller in-ear AirPods and AirPods Pro, and its Beats brand products. Apple also charges more than competitors like Sony and Bose, but