The endless tech wars are really like an endless game of chess, with moves and countermoves and strategies designed to undercut the competition. Thankfully, most of those moves benefit the consumer, like this one by Apple to drop the price of their exceptionally well-received AirPods 4 to just $99 at Amazon.
It’s hard to see how this price drop into the sub-$100 range isn’t aimed squarely at Samsung’s brand-new Galaxy Buds4, which sell for nearly twice that amount. Granted — and this is an important note — the $99 AirPods 4 at Amazon are not the model with Active Noise Cancelling. Those will run you $149, which is a nice 17% drop off that won’t get the headlines of the sub-$100 non-ANC version.
Hit Redesign
Apple redesigned the AirPods 4 with a stronger focus on comfort and stability, which has been one of the most common requests from longtime AirPods users. The earbuds now feature a more refined contour and a shorter stem, giving them a shape that’s meant to sit more securely in your ears during everyday use. Quick-press controls are also built into the stems, letting you handle music playback or calls without needing to reach for your phone.
The redesign extended to the charging case that comes with the AirPods 4. It’s USB-C compatible, although it lacks the Qi compatibility of Apple’s higher-level AirPods models. It’s also 10% smaller than previous versions, making it an easier fit in your pocket. Overall the battery life remains solid: AirPods 4 can deliver up to five hours of listening time on a single charge, while the included charging case extends total playback time to roughly 30 hours before you need to plug in again.
The upgrade to Apple’s H2 chip is another key player in the exceptional sales and reviews the AirPods 4 have been enjoying since their debut — a healthy 4.5-star average from over 43,000 Amazon reviewers. The H2 chip gives the overall sound quality of the AirPods 4 a significant boost over the previous model, whether you’re using them for music, podcasts, or phone calls.
Apple’s Usual Greatness
There are also a few subtle smart features that make everyday use smoother. An optical in-ear sensor detects when the earbuds are in your ears and automatically pauses audio when you take them out. You can also share audio between two sets of AirPods and track the earbuds or the charging case through Apple’s Find My network if they go missing.
The AirPods 4 have dipped down to the $99 price before, but this most recent Amazon deal is hitting at a time to make them an excellent alternative to the brand-new buds dropping from competitors. If you can manage without Active Noise Cancellation, this is a super-solid option.