Apple revealed the AirPods 5 wireless earbuds on Wednesday at its “Surprise and Shine” keynote event.
The AirPods 4 were announced two years ago, and the new version features some key upgrades. Like their predecessor, the new AirPods 5 come with two models. Unlike the previous gen, both feature active noise cancellation — but this doesn’t result in a price hike.
In fact, the lower-tier model features ANC for $129, matching the price of the non-ANC model of the AirPods 4. The higher tier model goes for $149, which is $30 cheaper than the $179 AirPods 4 with ANC. This is especially notable in a time where most Apple prices have only gone up — including on the newly announced iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max.
The AirPods 5 and AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case are available for preorder now, with a release date of Friday, Sept. 18.
Here’s what we else know about the newest addition to the AirPods lineup.
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The Apple AirPods 5 features better noise cancellation, lower prices
The volume stem on the AirPods 5 with wireless charging allows for more on-device control.
Credit: Screenshot / Apple
We were expecting new AirPods with cameras at the September Apple event, but an update to the regular AirPods was also rumored in recent weeks.
The Apple AirPods 5 come with notable new features, including:
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Two models with and without ANC, priced at $129 and $149
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Updated adaptive EQ, which helps power better spatial audio
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50% more active noise cancellation than the AirPods 4
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Improved transparency mode for a more natural sound
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On the $149 model, a wireless charging case, and volume adjustment on the earbud stem
AirPods 5 vs. AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case
Despite the name, there’s more of a difference between the two AirPods 5 models than just their charging cases.
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Battery life: The$149 AirPods 5 feature five hours per charge with ANC, besting the battery life of the AirPods 4 with ANC by one hour. With the case, these earbuds offer 22 hours of battery life.
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Volume control: For the first time on non-Pro earbuds, the stem of the AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case has a force sensor volume swipe control on the stem.
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Wireless charging: The case on the more expensive AirPods 5 can be charged with an Apple Watch charger, Qi-compatible charger, and USB-C charger (which was available on the AirPods 4 with ANC).
Open-ear AirPods?
Technically, non-Pro versions of the AirPods have always been open-ear earbuds. That said, AirPods don’t follow the model of most other open earbud models (that is, cuff or ear hook style buds).
Yes, there isn’t an ear tip that sits in the ear canal, but the earbud is situated more as a semi-in ear bud than most other earbuds, which leave the ear canal completely unobstructed.
Follow our Apple event live blog to catch up on the latest news and announcements from the “Surprise and Shine” keynote, with live updates from Apple Park.
