Apple AirPods 5 (Wireless Charging Case) / Apple AirPods 4

Apple AirPods 5 (Wireless Charging Case): A3439 / A3440 / A3441; A3529 wireless case; white

Apple AirPods 4: AirPods 4 (2024), the basic model without active noise cancellation; USB‑C charging case. The same-design AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation and the AirPods Pro models are separate.

SpecificationApple AirPods 5 (Wireless Charging Case)Apple AirPods 4
Release year20262024
Announcement / availability9 / 18 September 2026 Apple—
ChipApple H2 AppleH2 headphone chip

H2 enables Voice Isolation, Siri Interactions with head gestures and Personalised Spatial Audio.

Apple
Noise controlANC, Adaptive Audio, Transparency AppleVent system for pressure equalisation; active noise cancellation only on the separately sold ANC model

At launch Apple offered two distinct models: AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation. This model has an open design that does not seal the ear canal.

Apple
AudioCustom dynamic driver; Adaptive EQ Apple—
Spatial audioDynamic head tracking Apple—
SensorsOptical in-ear sensor; motion and speech accelerometers Apple—
MicrophonesDual beamforming and inward-facing microphones Apple—
ControlsPress controls; swipe volume adjustment ApplePress the stem: once to play/pause or answer, twice to skip forward or end a call, three times to skip back, press and hold for Siri; “Siri” voice activation; nod or shake your head to answer calls

Apple’s control list does not include volume adjustment on the stem.

Apple
Bluetooth5.3 Apple—
Earbud battery lifeUp to 5 hours ANC on / 7 hours off Apple—
Total with caseUp to 22 hours with ANC on Apple—
Quick charge5 minutes in case: about 1 hour listening Apple—
Charging caseUSB-C; Qi and Apple Watch chargers Apple—
Find MySpeaker in case Apple—
ProtectionIP57 Apple—
Earbud size / weight30.2 × 18.3 × 18.1 mm; 4.3 g each Apple—
Case size / weight46.2 × 50.1 × 21.2 mm; 34.7 g Apple—
Other devicesBluetooth audio; some features require Apple devices Apple—
Case compatibilityA3529 pairs only with wireless-case AirPods 5 earbuds Apple—
Type—Open-fit (no silicone tips) wireless earbuds; USB‑C charging case

This is the basic AirPods 4 without active noise cancellation. The identical-looking “AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation” is a separate product.

Apple
Audio technology—Custom high‑excursion Apple driver, custom high dynamic range amplifier; Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking; Adaptive EQ

Adaptive EQ tunes the sound to the fit in the ear. Spatial Audio needs supported content; the personal profile is created with an iPhone that has a TrueDepth camera.

Apple
Microphones and sensors—Dual beamforming microphones, inward‑facing microphone, optical in‑ear sensor, motion- and speech-detecting accelerometers, force sensor

The speech-detecting accelerometer helps detect when you are speaking; the optical sensor resumes playback when the bud is put in.

Apple
Durability—IP54 dust, sweat and water resistance (earbuds and case)

According to Apple this is for non-water sports and exercise; resistance is not permanent and may decrease with wear. Do not charge when wet.

Apple
Battery—Up to 5 hours listening per charge; up to 30 hours total with the case; 5 minutes in the case ≈ 1 hour listening

Apple measured these figures at 50% volume with Spatial Audio off.

Apple
Charging—Charging case with USB‑C port; USB‑C cable sold separately

Apple says the case is more than 10 percent smaller in volume than its predecessor. Charging with an Apple Watch charger or Qi-certified charger is specific to the ANC model.

Apple
Connectivity—Bluetooth 5.3

It works as a Bluetooth headset with Android and other devices, but Apple says functions may be limited. Full features require current iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS or tvOS.

Apple
Size and weight—Earbud: 30.2 × 18.3 × 18.1 mm, 4.3 g; case: 46.2 × 50.1 × 21.2 mm, 32.3 g Apple
Accessibility—Live Listen, headphone levels, Headphone Accommodations Apple