Airpods Pro 3 vs. AirPods 4: These are the 7 biggest differences

Apple has released the AirPods Pro 3, but what are the differences with the AirPods 4? We put them under each other!

AirPods Pro 3 VS AirPods 4

A new generation of the AirPods Pro has been released! With the AirPods Pro 3, Apple’s best ears get even better, but those are not the only AirPods you can get at the moment. The AirPods 4 appeared in 2024 and are available without or with active noise reduction. Are you still in doubt between the AirPods Pro 3 and the AirPods 4? We put the most important differences for you under each other!

1. Design

One of the biggest differences between the AirPods 4 and the AirPods Pro 3 is the design of the ears. Where the AirPods Pro 3 with silicone attachments come, they are missing at the AirPods 4. It is personal what fit you prefer. Not everyone likes the silicone attachments of the AirPods Pro, making the AirPods 4 a good alternative without these attachments.

The fit of the ears is an important point of improvement at the AirPods Pro 3. You will receive five different sizes of the attachments with the third generation of the AirPods Pro as standard. With the AirPods Pro 2, these were three more sizes, which makes it more likely that the AirPods Pro 3 will stay in place. In addition, the charging box of the AirPods 4 is slightly more compact, that of the AirPods Pro 3 is wider.

2. Operation

The AirPods Pro 3 are the most advanced AirPods of the moment and that can also be seen in the operation of the ears. Apple has provided the AirPods Pro 3 with touch control. You can find this in the stalks of the AirPods, which you can use to pause the audio, to choose the next or the previous issue. That’s not all, because you can also increase and lower the volume of the audio through the stalks of the AirPods Pro 3.

These options are more limited at AirPods 4. The ears have a pressure sensor, so you can only press the stalks of the AirPods. With this pressure sensor it is possible to pause the audio, to play again and to switch between songs. Unlike the AirPods Pro 3, you cannot use the AirPods 4 to adjust the volume of the media, for which you have to grab the iPhone.

3. Sound quality

The sound quality has greatly improved with the AirPods Pro 3 compared to the AirPods Pro 2. The sound quality was already high in the second generation, but the new AirPods Pro have a new acoustic architecture according to Apple. The sound of the ears is therefore more spatial, whereby instruments appear more clearly in the audio. Voices are also better audible, which is especially useful if you regularly watch films and series with your AirPods.

With the AirPods 4 this sound quality is slightly lower. The sound is less deep, but for most users will still be sufficient for daily use. Do you want the best sound quality of the moment? In that case you have come to the right place at the AirPods Pro 3, but the AirPods 4 are a good alternative if you don’t want to pay so much for your next ears. With both earphones, the sound quality of the microphone improves after installing iOS 26 on your iPhone.

4. Ruis control

The AirPods 4 are available in two versions. You can opt for the variant without noise control or the execution with active noise reduction. It is therefore the first regular AirPods that have active noise reduction, before this was an exclusive function for the AirPods Pro. The AirPods 4 block disturbing ambient noises, but the noise control works much better at the AirPods Pro 3.

Apple has improved the active noise reduction with the AirPods Pro 3, which means that the ears stop to twice as much noise as the AirPods Pro 2. The difference with the AirPods 4 is even larger, the AirPods Pro 3 blocks with the silicone attachments much more ambient noise. The third generation of the AirPods Pro comes standard with noise control, in contrast to the AirPods 4.

5. Functions

The AirPods 4 and the AirPods Pro 3 both have functions such as adaptive audio, the transparency mode, interview detection, spatial audio and main tracking. They are also both equipped with the H2 chip, but the similarities also stop there. At the AirPods Pro 3, Apple went much further with the introduction of health functions. For example, features such as hearing test, hearing aid and hearing protection can only be used with the AirPods Pro 3.

In addition, the AirPods are Pro 3 Apple’s first ears with a heart rate monitor. This measures your heart rate when you are exercising. You can then see the measurements in the condition and health app on your iPhone. The AirPods Pro 3 have advanced health functions, which you have to miss at the AirPods 4. The fabric, sweat and water resistance is also better with the AirPods Pro 3, they can withstand water better than the AirPods 4.

6. Battery life

Are you regularly on the road and do you like to listen to music? In that case, the battery life of the AirPods is very important. The AirPods 4 will last up to 4 hours after fully charging once. This is the listening time with active noise reduction enabled, without this function the AirPods will last 4 to 5 hours after once charging. Do you put the ears back in the charging case? Then you have a total of up to 20 hours of listening time.

With the AirPods Pro 3, this battery life is longer, because the ears last up to 8 hours with active noise reduction. Do you turn this position off? Then you do the ears for up to 10 hours after charging once. In total you listen to the AirPods Pro 3 for up to 24 hours if you charge them in the box in between. The AirPods Pro 3 therefore last much longer than the AirPods 4, but both easily keep it up for a day.

7. Price

The differences between the AirPods 4 and the AirPods Pro 3 are large and that is also reflected in the prices of the ears. The AirPods 4 are available from € 125.90, for that price you get the variant without active noise reduction. For the AirPods 4 with active noise reduction you pay 199 euros at Apple. The AirPods Pro 3 are not much more expensive, because you get it for € 248.95.

Conclusion

The differences between the AirPods 4 and the AirPods Pro 3 are large. Apple’s best ears score better in every area than the AirPods 4. They offer better sound quality, stop more background noise, are easier to operate and have more health functions. The AirPods 4, on the other hand, are still a great option for most users, especially if you do not like the silicone attachments.

Are you looking for new ears with noise reduction? In that case the AirPods Pro 3 are the best choice. They are 50 euros more expensive than the AirPods 4 with noise reduction, but for that amount you get a lot more functions that are worth that money. Do you find € 248.95 too expensive and do you not need noise control? Then choose the AirPods 4 without noise control, which are considerably cheaper with € 125.90.

Buy new AirPods

The AirPods 4 and the AirPods Pro 3 are both good ears, but the AirPods Pro 3 are much more advanced. Before your purchase, therefore, think carefully when you are going to wear the ears and what you find important in your next AirPods. If you regularly wear them in a busy environment, it is advisable to choose the AirPods Pro 3, which have excellent noise control. Do you mainly wear them at home? Then choose the AirPods 4 to save money. View the lowest prices here: