AirPods buyers in 2026 are expected to split depending on priorities such as comfort and price, noise cancelling and additional functions. If an open fit and price matter most, AirPods 4 has the edge. If users want strong noise cancelling and health features, AirPods Pro 3 is more advantageous.

On Aug. 20 local time, IT outlet 9to5Mac compared the features and prices of AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 3. It predicted that camera-equipped AirPods supporting visual intelligence would be released no earlier than 2027.

The key question is whether to buy a product currently on sale or wait for a next-generation model. Expectations for an early launch rose after a leak of camera-equipped AirPods supporting visual intelligence appeared in an internal video in a release candidate version of macOS Tahoe 26.7. But Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said the product is being developed with a 2027 release in mind.

The B790 model shown in the video is known as a revised design of AirPods Pro 3 that was excluded from Apple's 2026 product roadmap. Apple is continuing development of the next-generation B798 model.

AirPods 4 currently on sale adopts an open design and is suitable for users who find ear tips uncomfortable. The current retail price in South Korea for the base model is 199,000 won. It supports the H2 chip and personalised spatial audio, and can be used for up to 5 hours on a single charge. It does not offer active noise cancelling, transparency mode or wireless charging.

The AirPods 4 with active noise cancelling costs 269,000 won. It supports adaptive audio and transparency mode while maintaining an open structure that does not fully block the ear. It also comes with a charging case that supports wireless charging and includes a dedicated speaker for Find My. But the open design has limits in sealing out outside sound, so noise cancelling performance may fall in loud environments such as airplanes or public transport.

AirPods Pro 3 is considered the strongest model in overall configuration. Its retail price in South Korea is 369,000 won, which is 100,000 won more than the active noise cancelling version of AirPods 4. It uses ear tips combined with foam material to strengthen bass and sound insulation, and its noise cancelling performance is also better than AirPods 4.

Battery life also differs. AirPods Pro 3 can be used for up to 8 hours with active noise cancelling on, but the active noise cancelling AirPods 4 can be used for up to 4 hours with noise blocking enabled, about half of AirPods Pro 3.

Health functions are also a strength of AirPods Pro 3. It can measure heart rate during exercise and supports Apple's hearing test, hearing aid and loud sound reduction functions. The user-customised equaliser provided in iOS 27 is supported by both products.

By price alone, the base AirPods 4 is 170,000 won cheaper than AirPods Pro 3. The price gap between the active noise cancelling model and Pro 3 is 100,000 won. Unless users must have an open fit, the choice comes down to whether to pay an additional 100,000 won for noise cancelling, battery life, heart-rate measurement and hearing health functions.

If price is the most important factor and noise blocking is not needed, the 199,000 won base AirPods 4 is an option. If users prefer an open fit but also need noise cancelling, the 269,000 won higher-end AirPods 4 model is an alternative. If strong noise blocking, longer battery life and health functions matter, the 369,000 won AirPods Pro 3 is the better choice.

Delaying a purchase because of visual intelligence may offer limited benefit. Camera-equipped AirPods has not been officially announced and is expected to be released no earlier than 2027. For users who need a replacement now, it is more practical to choose between AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 3 based on required fit, functions and budget rather than wait for an unannounced product.