Apple is slashing prices on its AirPods 4 lineup just months after launch, with the entry-level model dropping to $89 at Walmart - a $30 discount that marks one of the steepest cuts yet for the company's newest earbuds. The move coincides with Apple's surprise budget iPhone announcement and signals an aggressive push to capture more of the sub-$100 audio market as competition from Samsung and budget brands intensifies.
Apple just made its newest earbuds a lot more accessible. The company's AirPods 4, launched less than six months ago, are now available for $89 at Walmart - a 23% price drop that undercuts even some of Apple's refurbished offerings. The premium ANC-equipped version has fallen to $119 at both Amazon and Walmart, down $60 from its $179 launch price.
The timing isn't coincidental. Apple simultaneously unveiled a new budget iPhone model, according to The Verge, marking a rare moment where Cupertino is pushing aggressively on price across multiple product categories. For a company that typically holds firm on pricing until product cycles end, the coordinated discounts signal heightened competition in the consumer electronics space.
The AirPods 4 represent Apple's most significant redesign of its entry-level earbuds in years. They pack fuller bass response and clearer audio than previous generations, while matching the more expensive AirPods Pro in voice call quality - a spec bump that surprised reviewers when the product launched. The upgraded IP54 rating means they can survive sweaty gym sessions and light rain, addressing one of the biggest complaints about earlier AirPods models.
But it's the ANC model at $119 that's turning heads. According to testing by , the noise cancellation "dramatically cuts down on ambient and low-frequency noise on planes and in offices," particularly with music playing. While it can't match the flagship AirPods Pro, the performance gap has narrowed considerably - and the price difference just widened to $150 at current sale prices.
