Buying AirPods is no longer a simple choice between basic earbuds and AirPods Pro.
Well, the good news is Apple now offers the AirPods 4 in two versions. There is the standard model and a version with Active Noise Cancellation. Above them sits the AirPods Pro 3.
For Australian buyers, the price difference is significant. AirPods 4 start at A$219, AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation cost A$299, while AirPods Pro 3 cost A$429 at Apple’s Australian store.
That creates an obvious question.
Is AirPods Pro 3 really worth paying A$210 more than standard AirPods 4?
For many people, no. For frequent travellers, commuters, gym users and people who care strongly about noise cancellation, the answer can be very different.
AirPods 4 vs AirPods Pro 3: What Are You Actually Paying For?
The biggest difference is not simply sound quality. You are paying for a different design, stronger noise control, additional sensors and several advanced features.
AirPods Pro 3 use silicone ear tips that create a seal inside your ear. AirPods 4 use an open-style design without silicone tips. That difference affects comfort, noise isolation and how much outside sound reaches your ears. Please click here.
The Pro 3 also offers Active Noise Cancellation, Adaptive Audio, Transparency mode, Conversation Awareness, Personalised Spatial Audio and several hearing-related features. AirPods 4 can still deliver many advanced features. The standard model includes the H2 chip, Voice Isolation, Personalised Spatial Audio and USB-C charging.
The question is whether you will actually use the extras.
AirPods 4: The Better Choice for Basic Everyday Listening
If your typical listening involves music at home, podcasts, YouTube videos and occasional phone calls, standard AirPods 4 may be enough. They cost A$219 in Australia, making them substantially cheaper than AirPods Pro 3.
They also use Apple’s H2 headphone chip and support Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking. The open design can be appealing if you dislike silicone ear tips.
Some people simply find traditional AirPods more comfortable because they do not create the same sealed feeling inside the ear. There is also a practical safety benefit in certain everyday situations. You can naturally hear more of your surroundings while listening.
That can be useful when walking around a neighbourhood, working in an office or talking with people throughout the day.
AirPods 4 With ANC Changes the Calculation
This is the model many buyers should consider before jumping directly to the Pro 3. AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation cost A$299 in Australia.
They add Active Noise Cancellation, Adaptive Audio and Transparency mode while keeping the AirPods 4 open-style design. This gives you much of the convenience of noise control without paying A$429 for the Pro 3.
Apple says the AirPods 4 ANC model also supports Personalised Spatial Audio, Conversation Awareness, Voice Isolation and Live Translation when paired with compatible Apple devices.
For someone who wants ANC occasionally but does not need the full Pro feature set, this may be the sweet spot.
When AirPods Pro 3 Are Worth the Extra Money
AirPods Pro 3 make more sense if noise cancellation is a major part of your daily listening.
The sealed in-ear design helps create physical isolation. Active Noise Cancellation then works with the microphones and processing to reduce unwanted external sound. This can make a meaningful difference on aeroplanes, trains, buses and busy streets.
Apple says AirPods Pro 3 provide up to four times more Active Noise Cancellation than AirPods 4 with ANC under Apple’s comparison testing. That does not mean every listener will experience a four-times-better result. The Pro 3 includes five silicone ear-tip sizes, allowing you to find a closer fit for your ears.
Sound Quality: Is Pro 3 Much Better?
AirPods Pro 3 have the more advanced audio system. Apple lists a custom high-excursion driver, high-dynamic-range amplifier, Adaptive EQ, Personalised Spatial Audio and other computational audio features.
However, standard AirPods 4 are not basic earbuds. They also use the H2 chip, a custom low-distortion driver, a high-dynamic-range amplifier and Adaptive EQ.
For casual listening, the difference may not justify paying an additional A$210.
Battery Life Gives Pro 3 an Advantage
Battery life is another area where the Pro 3 has an edge.
Apple rates AirPods 4 for up to five hours of listening on one charge. The ANC version provides up to five hours with ANC off and up to four hours with ANC enabled. The charging case provides up to 30 hours of total listening time.
AirPods Pro 3 can provide up to eight hours of listening on a single charge with Active Noise Cancellation enabled. Apple rates the Pro 3 charging case for up to 24 hours with ANC enabled. So the Pro 3 does not simply cost more. It also offers considerably longer single-charge listening in Apple’s rated conditions. That could matter if you spend long periods travelling or working away from a charger.
What About Calls?
Both options can be good for calls. AirPods 4 use Voice Isolation to help reduce background noise and improve the clarity of your voice. The Pro 3 also supports Voice Isolation and advanced microphone processing.
If you frequently take calls in noisy locations, the Pro 3’s sealed design and additional noise-control features may provide a more comfortable experience. For occasional calls at home or in a quiet office, AirPods 4 should be more than adequate.
AirPods and the iPhone Experience
AirPods make the most sense when paired with an iPhone.
Features such as Siri interactions, personalised audio features, and some of the newer capabilities are designed around Apple’s ecosystem.
If you own a refurbished iPhone 15 or another recent compatible iPhone, AirPods can integrate naturally with your existing setup.
The latest AirPods also support features that require compatible Apple hardware and current software. Apple’s Live Translation functionality, for example, requires an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone running iOS 26 or later, with availability depending on language and region. This is important because buying AirPods for an older iPhone may not give you access to every advertised feature.
Can You Use AirPods With Android Phones?
Yes. AirPods can be used with Android phones through Bluetooth.
You can listen to music, watch videos and make calls. However, the experience is not as deeply integrated as it is with an iPhone.
Some Apple-specific features will not work in the same way. If your main phone is an Android device, therefore, AirPods should not automatically be your first choice.
There are excellent wireless earbuds designed specifically for Android users, often with features that work more completely within the Google or Samsung ecosystem. If you already own an iPhone, however, AirPods become much easier to recommend.
The Bottom Line
For everyday listening, AirPods 4 are probably enough for most people.
The standard model gives you Apple’s familiar experience, H2 processing, Spatial Audio, USB-C charging and strong everyday functionality for A$219.
AirPods 4 with ANC are the model to consider if you want noise cancellation without spending Pro money.
AirPods Pro 3 are the better choice for frequent travellers, commuters and serious everyday listeners who will benefit from stronger ANC, a sealed fit, longer single-charge battery life and additional features.
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