AirPods 4 vs. Pro 2: Is the newer model worth it?

I've been reviewing Apple AirPods in addition to other wireless earbuds for years now, and I currently use Apple's AirPods Pro 2 earbuds as my daily driver. 

It's still safe to say that the Apple AirPods Pro series earbuds are a bit better in terms of sound quality than the standard AirPods series; however, with the release of the AirPods 4 in September 2024, the gap has been closed significantly.

If you've been shopping around for new earbuds for your iOS devices, you might be deciding which is the better buy for you ...