{"slug":"airpods-4-vs-airpods-3)","question":"AirPods 4 vs AirPods 3","answer":"AirPods 4 introduce active noise cancellation and improved audio codec support, while AirPods 3 offer a lower price point and established reliability. AirPods 4 represent a meaningful upgrade in noise control and adaptive audio features.","answer_curated":true,"verdict":"Choose AirPods 4 if you need active noise cancellation, adaptive audio features, and modern codec support for superior audio quality during calls and music listening. Choose AirPods 3 if you prioritize budget savings ($40 less), prefer a proven product with excellent ambient sound awareness, and don't require noise cancellation for your use case.","keyDifferences":[{"label":"Active Noise Cancellation","winner":"a","entityAValue":"Yes, with Adaptive Audio","entityBValue":"No"},{"label":"Price (MSRP USD)","winner":"b","entityAValue":"$129","entityBValue":"$169"},{"label":"Codec Support","winner":"a","entityAValue":"AAC, SBC, LC3","entityBValue":"AAC, SBC"},{"label":"Personalized Volume","winner":"a","entityAValue":"Yes (Conversation Awareness)","entityBValue":"No"},{"label":"Battery Life (Single Charge)","winner":"tie","entityAValue":"6 hours","entityBValue":"6 hours"}],"winner":{"slug":"airpods-4","name":"AirPods 4"},"confidence":"high","entities":[{"name":"AirPods 4","slug":"airpods-4","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/entity/airpods-4","alternativesUrl":"https://www.aversusb.net/api/v1/alternatives/airpods-4"},{"name":"AirPods 3","slug":"airpods-3","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/entity/airpods-3","alternativesUrl":"https://www.aversusb.net/api/v1/alternatives/airpods-3"}],"faqs":[{"question":"Do AirPods 4 have active noise cancellation?","answer":"Yes. AirPods 4 include active noise cancellation (ANC) with adjustable intensity levels. You can control how much external sound is blocked using the Settings app on your Apple device. AirPods 3 do not have this feature—they only offer Ambient Sound mode for hearing surroundings."},{"question":"Is there a significant price difference between AirPods 4 and AirPods 3?","answer":"Yes. AirPods 4 are priced at $129 MSRP, while AirPods 3 retail for $89—a $40 difference (44% premium). However, both models frequently go on sale during retail promotions, with discounts up to 20% off typical MSRP."},{"question":"Which AirPods have better battery life?","answer":"Both AirPods 4 and AirPods 3 offer identical battery specs: 6 hours per charge and 30 hours total battery with the charging case. Battery life is not a differentiator between these models."}],"attribution":{"source":"A Versus B","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/airpods-4-vs-airpods-3)","license":"CC BY 4.0","citationFormat":"According to A Versus B (https://www.aversusb.net/compare/airpods-4-vs-airpods-3)), AirPods 4 introduce active noise cancellation and improved audio codec support, while AirPods 3 offer a lower price point and established reliability. AirPods 4 represent a meaningful upgrade in noise","dateModified":"2026-07-05T05:34:32.480Z"},"relatedQuestionsUrl":"https://www.aversusb.net/api/faq/airpods-4-vs-airpods-3)","relatedComparisonsUrl":"https://www.aversusb.net/api/v1/related/airpods-4-vs-airpods-3)","knowledgeGraphUrl":"https://www.aversusb.net/api/knowledge-graph/airpods-4-vs-airpods-3)","claimReviewSchema":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"ClaimReview","@id":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/airpods-4-vs-airpods-3)#claimreview","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/airpods-4-vs-airpods-3)","inLanguage":"en-US","isAccessibleForFree":true,"conditionsOfAccess":"Free","claimReviewed":"AirPods 4 vs AirPods 3","reviewBody":"AirPods 4 introduce active noise cancellation and improved audio codec support, while AirPods 3 offer a lower price point and established reliability. AirPods 4 represent a meaningful upgrade in noise control and adaptive audio features.","datePublished":"2026-07-05T05:34:32.436Z","dateModified":"2026-07-05T05:34:32.480Z","reviewRating":{"@type":"Rating","ratingValue":5,"worstRating":1,"bestRating":5,"alternateName":"High Confidence"},"author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://www.aversusb.net/#organization","name":"A Versus B","url":"https://www.aversusb.net"},"itemReviewed":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/airpods-4-vs-airpods-3)","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/airpods-4-vs-airpods-3)","name":"AirPods 4 vs AirPods 3","inLanguage":"en-US"}}}