AirPods 4 Price: Retail, Deals & Price History

Apple stopped making AirPods 4 in September 2026 when it introduced AirPods 5. If you are shopping now, the current model is the one Apple sells directly, and it carries a price close to what the old one did.

You may still find AirPods 4 in stock at retailers or on the used market. This page lists what they cost at launch so you can judge whether a leftover or secondhand pair is a fair deal.

The standard AirPods 4 listed at $129, according to MacRumors. The version with active noise cancellation listed at $179. The gap between the two is what Apple charged for the noise cancellation model.

Those are list prices from when Apple sold them. Remaining stock at other stores may sell above or below those figures.

AirPods 5 are the current entry level model. Apple announced them at $129 for the standard case and $149 with the Wireless Charging Case, per iClarified.

For a new buyer, AirPods 5 are the safer choice. They are available from Apple with a full warranty, and the standard model costs the same as the old standard AirPods 4. Check Apple's AirPods page to see how the new generation differs in features before you pick.

A discontinued product can be a bargain or a trap, so weigh a few points.

• Price. A leftover pair is only worth buying if it costs less than the AirPods 5 equivalent.
• Warranty. Retailers handle returns and warranties on their own terms for discontinued stock, and Apple's coverage depends on the purchase date.
• Condition. A used pair has a battery that has aged, and the case battery wears too.
• Features. If you want noise cancellation, make sure the listing says it is the ANC model.

If a seller asks for the same price as a new AirPods 5, buy the new model.

Used AirPods carry some hygiene and battery concerns. Wipe the tips and clean the case, and ask the seller about battery life. Avoid any listing that cannot show the serial number, because counterfeit earbuds exist and fake serials are common on marketplaces.

Apple's own refurbished store and large retailers are safer than a private seller. Check what return window comes with the purchase.

Apple refreshes AirPods on a multi-year cycle, and the older model leaves the store once the new one is on sale. For buyers, that means support and accessories keep flowing for a while, but new stock dries up. Software updates for older AirPods usually continue for some time after they are discontinued, though Apple does not publish an end date.

If you already own AirPods 4 and they work, there is no reason to switch just because they were discontinued. The change matters mainly to people buying now.

Ask the seller for the exact model name and, for a used pair, a photo of the case with the serial number visible. Pair the earbuds with your own iPhone in the store or on arrival, so you know they connect and charge. Keep the receipt, since a discontinued product can be harder to return later.

Also confirm what is in the box. A used listing may leave out the charging cable or sell only one earbud, and a missing piece changes what the pair is worth. Compare the total against the AirPods 5 price above, not against a number from an old review.

Start with Apple's AirPods page for the list price of the current model. Then compare the same model at major electronics retailers. This page does not quote retail discounts, because they change every few weeks and differ by store.