AirPods 4 with and without ANC: Where is the volume control?
Anyone who owns Apple's standard earbuds will sooner or later be confronted with a problem: How do you make them louder or quieter?
AirPods 4 user: Important feature missing.
(Image: Apple)
Apple's AirPods 4 have been on the market for over a year now. Current bargain prices for Black Friday are likely to entice one or the other user to purchase the entry-level Apple earbuds – especially the version with active noise cancellation (ANC) is attractive. However, with the devices, you have to swallow one or two bitter pills that are not present with the more expensive AirPods Pro 3. We have compiled some tips and tricks for the AirPods 4, including a particularly central question: How on earth do you adjust the volume of the earbuds?
AirPods 4 (ANC) vs. AirPods Pro 3
First of all, the AirPods 4 in both variants do not come as in-ear models. This means they are not inserted directly into the ear canal but placed in front of it. Therefore, it is worth checking first whether they fit at all – some ear shapes cause problems or falling out AirPods.
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The correct placement is particularly important for the ANC variant of the AirPods 4, as the noise cancellation only works properly when the earbuds are inserted correctly. Especially when used during sports – actually not intended by Apple – you may have to readjust. However, if you don't like the in-ear shape of the AirPods Pro 3 or find it uncomfortable, the AirPods 4 ANC now offers a sensible alternative.
Operating the AirPods 4 (ANC)
Unfortunately, the AirPods 4 have some disadvantages in operation. While playback can be controlled as usual by pressing the stems (Apple calls them "stems"): Play/Stop with one press, twice for skip forward, three times for skip backward. However, the simple function of adjusting the volume via swipe gesture, as known from the AirPods Pro, does not exist.
Instead, AirPods 4 owners have to resort to one of two crutches. Either they have Siri activated and control by voice, or they adjust the speakers on the connected device (Mac, iPhone, iPad, and other Bluetooth accessories). Via Siri, it's with the simple phrase: "Turn the volume up" or "Turn the volume down" (as well as other similar words). Otherwise, on Apple devices, you use the Control Center or the side button. With the Apple Watch, you can use the digital crown via the "Now Playing" screen.
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