Apple has unveiled its new AirPods 4 with a new design and active noise cancellation and announced an update for AirPods Pro 2 that can turn them into hearing aids.
Apple has also updated the AirPods Max headphones with new colours and USB-C charging.
The AirPods 4 will be available in Australia on September 20 and will be priced from $219.
AIRPODS 4
The AirPods 4 have a new look and maintains its open ear design and will be available in two models – with or without active noise cancellation.
The new design comes after Apple’s extensive analysis and mapping of thousands of ear shapes and the collection of more than 50 million individual data points.
The new AirPods 4 include a new acoustic architecture, low distortion driver and high dynamic range amplifier and now include personalised spatial audio with dynamic head tracking.
Under the hood is the H2 chip which allows AirPods 4 to offer intelligent audio experiences like voice isolation and clear call quality even in noisy surroundings.
For the first time, the AirPods 4 now have the option of active noise cancellation which can help reduce external sounds on flights and public transport.
Also on board is transparency mode so users can also be aware of their surroundings.
It also has adaptive audio which is a combination of transparency mode and ANC and determined by the sounds around you.
Another new feature is conversation awareness which automatically lowers the media volume when you start speaking before returning to full volume when you stop talking.
The charging case is 10 per cent smaller and now has a USB-C port. The AirPods 4 with ANC can also be charged with an Apple Watch charger or a Qi-certified charger.
The AirPods 4 are priced at $219 and $299 with ANC and go on sale on September 20.
AIRPODS PRO 2
Apple made another announcement about a software upgrade that’s coming for the AirPods Pro 2 that can protect, test and improve your hearing.
Apple says hearing loss affects more than 1.5 billion people and could have other detrimental effects on your health including depression and social isolation.
Apple already has features in place to alert users when they are in noisy environments and to help reduce the ambient noise around them.
But with a future update that is awaiting clinical approval, AirPods Pro 2 users can conduct a clinically validated hearing test in just a few minutes with results presented in their personal profile.
Research shows hearing loss often goes untreated with an Apple hearing study showing 75 per cent of people diagnosed with hearing loss haven’t been given the support they need.
With the update, AirPods Pro 2 can also become a clinical grade hearing aid and be personalised to boosting the specific sounds you need so you hear what’s going on around you and hear the conversations even in a crowded room.
AIRPODS MAX
The AirPods Max has not had any design changes, but it will be available in five new colours – midnight, Starlight, blue, orange and purple.
It will also include a USB-C charging port.
The AirPods Max with USB C will be priced at $899 and go on sale on September 20.
