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The long-awaited Cyber Monday shopping event is almost upon us—just hours away from officially beginning—but many irresistible promotions have already gone live ahead of schedule, and several of the most attractive offers are selling out rapidly. If you are purchasing a present for yourself or searching for the perfect tech gift for someone special this holiday season, you will likely struggle to find a deal more compelling than the current 22% discount on the **Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)** available on Amazon right now.
Also: discover over one hundred Cyber Monday specials offering discounts as deep as 75% on a wide range of products.
Since the introduction of their first iteration in 2016, Apple’s AirPods have not merely participated in the wireless earbud market—they have defined it, setting a benchmark of design excellence, seamless integration, and user experience that many competitors have tried to emulate. Over the subsequent nine years, a multitude of premium audio manufacturers—including giants like Bose and Sony—have introduced their own versions of high-performance wireless earbuds. Yet, despite these alternatives, Apple’s AirPods continue to remain nearly unmatched for everyday users who value intuitive interface design, reliability, brand trust, and consistent innovation above all else.
Also: explore the best noise-canceling earbuds currently available.
Apple maintains its reputation for consistent innovation through measured, incremental hardware and software updates with each new product generation, and the **AirPods 4** perfectly exemplify this philosophy. The latest model introduces a variety of subtle yet meaningful enhancements, including a USB-C charging port, an integrated speaker for Apple’s Find My network to simplify locating your case, and a suite of customizable audio settings such as Spatial Audio that dynamically adapts to different environments for a more immersive and personalized listening experience.
The AirPods 4 lineup comes in two distinct versions: a standard model and a premium edition featuring advanced sound technologies such as active noise cancellation and adaptive listening optimization. Ordinarily, the higher-end version commands a noticeably steeper price. However, thanks to the current Cyber Monday promotion, the upgraded AirPods 4 cost only $10 more than the entry-level pair—a rare opportunity to access Apple’s top-tier features for an exceptional price.
Also: expert-tested insights break down the key differences between the two AirPods 4 variants.
Jada Jones/ZDNET
In her detailed review, ZDNET associate editor **Allison Jewell** highlights several practical improvements that enhance usability and portability. She notes that the AirPods 4 case is smaller, lighter, and easier to carry than previous models while now including an integrated speaker designed to function seamlessly with the Find My ecosystem. According to her evaluation, battery performance has also been optimized, offering up to 30 hours of total playtime on a full charge—a notable achievement for earbuds of this size. Jewell also explains that the AirPods 4 enable users to answer Siri commands through intuitive head gestures, allowing them to nod or shake their head in response to prompts—a glimpse of how sophisticated sensor-based interaction can refine accessibility and convenience.
Also: discover our expert-tested recommendations for the best noise-canceling headphones.
Kayla Solino/ZDNET
Further emphasizing the technical enhancements, ZDNET editor **Jada Jones** points to the inclusion of Apple’s advanced **H2 chip** at the heart of the ANC AirPods 4. This custom-designed processor delivers superior audio fidelity, refined noise-canceling precision, improved microphone capture for clearer calls, and smoother Siri integration. She also notes that each earbud features responsive “force sensors” embedded in the stem—physical controls that register short and long presses to execute commands such as play, pause, skip tracks, and more, ensuring that users maintain instant control without needing to handle their phone.
Also: read our comprehensive comparison of how Apple’s AirPods 4 stack up against earlier versions.
Kayla Solino/ZDNET
The **ANC Apple AirPods 4** connect via Bluetooth 5.3, ensuring a stable and efficient wireless connection with low latency and broad device compatibility. They boast IP54-rated durability, offering resistance against dust and splashes—an assurance of reliability for active users. Among the most useful features are transparency mode, which allows ambient sound to pass through for environmental awareness, and adaptive audio with conversational awareness, which intelligently adjusts sound levels when you begin speaking. During this limited-time Cyber Monday promotion, the earbuds are currently discounted by $39 on Amazon.
If you are exploring what technology to purchase next, consult **ZDNET Recommends**, where our team of industry experts curates top products, editor picks, and in-depth reviews designed to help you make informed decisions.
### How I rated this deal
This discount represents a genuinely worthwhile opportunity, particularly in light of Apple’s well-known tendency to maintain premium pricing and infrequent sales events. Considering that the AirPods 4 constitute the company’s most recent generation, this offer stands out as both rare and appealing. While still an investment rather than a budget option, it provides an ideal occasion to experience Apple’s newest innovations in wireless audio if you have been considering an upgrade or are simply curious about newer features.
It’s important to note that the lifespan of such deals can be unpredictable; Apple discounts often vanish as swiftly as they appear. Therefore, prompt action is advisable to secure the savings before inventories run out. Deals can sell out or expire rapidly, but rest assured: ZDNET continuously tracks and updates the latest verified promotions to ensure readers access accurate, up-to-date opportunities for saving. Even if you miss out on this specific markdown, our editorial team remains dedicated to sourcing new offers daily and sharing them at **ZDNET.com**, so you never run short of worthwhile options.
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In 2025, we enhanced our methodology for deal evaluation, creating a quantifiable system that allows us to communicate savings more consistently and transparently. Each editor-approved deal now carries a rating badge, representing a synthesis of measurable discount percentages and expert assessment. This visualization enables readers to quickly assess the reliability and value of a deal based on our collective expertise.
At the foundation of this system lies a dynamic, percentage-off-based classification process that ranks product savings on a scale calibrated by several factors, including product frequency, brand recognition, and reviewer familiarity. These metrics function in tandem to ensure that every discount we recommend aligns with meaningful savings and trustworthy performance. The outcome is a carefully curated selection of offers—each one handpicked and verified by the ZDNET team—crafted specifically for discerning readers seeking both value and quality.
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Sourse: https://www.zdnet.com/article/apple-airpods-4-are-39-off-before-cyber-monday-11-30/