It works extremely well, and is a slick benefit of buying into Apple’s cosy ecosystem.

They offer head-tracked spatial audio when used with Apple devices, which is a highlight.

However, you’ve got the option to’t pinch for on-ear volume control, which seems very miserly.

AirPods 4 outside of their case on a table

We measured 9.5 hours from the Nothing Ear (a) with ANC turned off.

There’s no wireless charging here, unlike the more expensive models just USB-C charging.

The microphone quality is very good, as is common for Apple’s earbuds.

AirPods 4 case held in a man’s hand

They’re a bigger, more natural, and more dynamic listen, and I enjoyed music with them.

The AirPods are nimble enough to handle this kind of thing.

Vocals of all types are lifted out of the mix well.

AirPods 4 bud held in a hand, showing the speaker section

When the fine resolution is lost, the realism of the track is lost.

The track sounds like a recording, a diminished facsimile, not the close-to-real audio that it can do.

There no reason not to carry these buds with you everywhere, and that’s useful.

AirPods 4 being placed back into their case

They are truly identical apart from a tiny printing of the model number.

The ANC case has telltale speaker holes on the bottom, though.

You’ll get Bluetooth multi-point with both those devices as well and even hi-res audio from the Nothing.

AirPods 4 case showing the charging port

But still, on balance, I don’t think they offer any better value than average.

Should I buy the AirPods 4?

So why not buy something that has that,andhas better sound and ANC?

AirPods 4 next to their open case on a table

Get something with active noise cancellation.

These are the mid-range buds to beat right now, as ourNothing Ear (a) reviewexplains.

Read more about how we test

AirPods 4 worn in a man’s ears

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