Apple's New AirPods 4 Hide a Secret Button in Plain Sight

Apple's newly announced AirPods 4 come with an unexpected twist: A hidden button that's invisible to the naked eye. This covert feature marks a significant departure from previous AirPods designs.

The fourth-generation AirPods eliminate the familiar setup button found on the back of earlier models' charging cases. Instead, Apple has integrated a concealed capacitive button on the front of the case, just below the status light.

To initiate pairing mode, users simply open the case and double-tap the front-center area. This same hidden control is also used for factory resets, though the exact gesture (triple tap or long press) remains unclear.

The AirPods 4's status light has also received a stealthy makeover. When the case is closed or not charging, the LED is completely invisible. It only reveals itself when the case is opened or placed on a charger.

These design changes contribute to the smallest and lightest AirPods charging case to date. Available in two versions – with and without active noise cancellation – the AirPods 4 start at $129 and will launch on September 20.