Apple’s New AirPods Have a Secret Button Nobody Is Talking About

At yesterday’s big iPhone 16 event, Apple flooded the zone with AirPods news. Its high-end noise-canceling earbuds, the AirPods Pro, are getting a clinical-grade hearing aid feature (awesome) via a software update. And its over-ear noise-canceling headphones, the AirPods Max, have been updated with USB-C charging and new color options (admittedly a little underwhelming).

Undoubtedly the biggest AirPods news of the day, however, was its two brand new wireless earbuds: the AirPods 4 ($129) and AirPods 4 with active noise-cancellation ($179). These replace the AirPods and AirPods 3 as Apple’s entry-level and midrange wireless earbud options, respectively.

Photo by Tucker Bowe for Gear Patrol

Both AirPods 4 models look identical and quite similar to the AirPods 3 (now discontinued), as they have an open-ear design (no silicone ear tips) with on-stem playback controls. But the higher-end AirPods 4 add active noise-cancellation and transparency modes, as well as a case that supports wireless charging and has a built-in speaker.

Speaking of the AirPods 4’s charging case, both models feature the smallest and lightest case of any AirPods to date. They’re also different in ways that Apple hasn’t really talked about much (if at all).

Photo by Tucker Bowe for Gear Patrol

A discreet status light

The AirPods 4’s charging case has a tiny built-in LED light for displaying statuses — just like other AirPods. However, unlike those other charging cases, the status light on the AirPods 4’s case is discreet.

Instead of appearing off, the tiny dot disappears entirely when the charging case is shut. Then, when you open the case, the status light reappears and lights up.

Neat.

Photo by Tucker Bowe for Gear Patrol

No back pairing button

Additionally, the AirPods 4’s charging case differs from every other AirPods’ charging case because it doesn’t have that little circular button on the back that’s used for pairing (if your device doesn’t automatically detect them) and factory resetting the AirPods.

There’s nothing on the back at all.

Photo by Tucker Bowe for Gear Patrol

A hidden feature

With no back button, Apple had to create a new way to pair and factory reset the AirPods 4 — and it’s quite hidden.

In fact, Apple integrated a secret capacitive button right below the status light in the front-center of the charging case.

When you open the AirPods 4’s charging case, the status light reappears and you can initiate pairing mode by double-tapping the front-center of the charging case.

This invisible button is also used to factory reset the AirPods 4. I believe a triple tap initiates it, but it could be a long press-and-hold. (For reference, a 15-second press-and-hold of the back button initiates a factory reset of other AirPods.)

We’ll update this post when we get exact confirmation from Apple.

The AirPods 4 — both models — are available for preorder now and will be officially released on September 20th.

Apple

Apple AirPods 4

• $119 at Amazon
  $129 (8% off)

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