Apple’s annual iPhone event certainly made a splash in terms of handsets, but the company also announced two new AirPod models to join its ever-growing lineup. This includes the standard AirPods 4 and the slightly more high-tech AirPods 4 with ANC.
The biggest news is probably the addition of USB-C to the charging case. This finally brings the AirPods in line with the rest of the world and most importantly new iPhone and iPad releases. The AirPods 4 earbuds should also fit better thanks to some design refinements.
Both versions of the earbuds also include the H2 chip, which improves sound quality. There’s also personalized spatial audio, voice isolation, and gesture-based Siri controls. For example, you can shake your head to make certain adjustments. Overall, these buds should get 30 hours of battery life.
The AirPods 4 with ANC may look similar to the standard model, but it has a number of advanced feature sets. This includes active noise cancellation, which isn’t always offered with earbuds, and wireless charging. Both models are available for preorder now, with shipments starting on September 20. The fourth-generation AirPods cost $129 and the AirPods 4 with ANC cost $179.
The company also announced a refresh of the AirPods Max over-ear headphones after a four-year wait. The latest model has USB-C charging (wow) and comes in new colors like black, blue, purple, and orange. The company didn’t announce a refresh of the AirPods Pro earbuds, and it’s long overdue.
“Which iPhone should I buy?” is a question you’ve heard many times over the past several years. Most of the time, the answer is simple: buy the best iPhone you can afford. If you’re happy with your current iPhone, in the meantime, don’t feel like you need to make a change. But if you’re ready to upgrade, let us help. We’ve reviewed nearly every iPhone ever released, so we’ve picked out all nine models in Apple’s current smartphone lineup and highlighted the models that should satisfy most people below.
Before we go any further, note that we’ve based our guide on the MSRP of a new, unlocked iPhone on Apple.com. If you find a deep discount or a great deal on a refurbished model from another trusted retailer, that can always change the value equation. With that disclaimer, here are the best iPhones you can buy until early 2025.