The countdown to the release of the fifth generation of Apple’s most popular headphones, AirPods, has begun. Two years have passed since the release of AirPods 4, and various signs indicate that AirPods 5 will be released on September 9, when the iPhone 18 Pro and the foldable iPhone Ultra are also expected to be unveiled. Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman first broke the news that the company would repeat its two-model strategy. : One basic model and one with active noise cancellation (ANC) function.
This expectation is understandable. AirPods have become a go-to accessory for millions of users, and the update is a big deal for Apple, which is looking to bolster its audio ecosystem by improving connectivity and user experience. Although there is no official confirmation yet, there are various indications that this update is of great significance: the references to the B868M and B868E models in the macOS 26.7 code are almost identical to the AirPods 4 models. (B768M and B768E) clearly shows that the development work is very mature.
Release date and availability
If Apple repeats its past pattern, pre-orders for the AirPods 5 will begin on September 9th. After the press conference, AirPods are expected to be released in major stores around September 18. This estimate is based on the AirPods 4 release schedule, but the company may change the release date without prior notice. In Spain, the standard version of AirPods is expected to sell for 149 euros, and the ANC version is expected to sell for 199 euros; in the United States, the two versions are expected to sell for $129 and $179 respectively.
A related detail is that Apple did not increase the price of AirPods in its recent price adjustment. Rising memory costs have heightened the likelihood that new generations of products will be priced essentially the same as existing products. However, if it ends up adopting the H3 chip, the company would have reason to raise prices, although this has not yet been confirmed.
Two versions to suit every budget
Just like what happened with the AirPods 4, Apple will reportedly release two versions of the AirPods 5: a standard version without noise cancellation, and a more sophisticated version with active noise cancellation. Adaptive audio and ambient sound modes. This strategy has been successful in 2024, allowing users to choose according to their budget without having to upgrade to the Pro series. For those who want a premium experience but don’t want to pay more than 250 euros for AirPods Pro, the version with active noise cancellation will be the most balanced option.
The leak also reveals improvements to the microphone and acoustic system to improve call clarity and Siri accuracy. These improvements from the Pro line will be particularly useful for users who use headphones in noisy environments or work remotely every day. Ambient noise cancellation during calls has always been a weak point of entry-level headphones, and there are indications that Apple plans to address this issue in this generation of products.
Audio and connectivity: What to expect
One of the most talked about new features may include the following: Bluetooth low energy audio technology that could increase energy efficiency and improve synchronization with Apple devices. This technology, already used in other headsets on the market, improves connection stability and reduces latency, which is crucial for gaming or video watching. In addition, it is speculated that this series of headphones will be equipped with an H3 chip for the first time, which is expected to optimize audio processing and active noise reduction functions. At the same time, there are also rumors that this series of headphones will also be equipped with health functions such as heart rate monitoring. Apple has integrated heart rate monitoring functions into other devices such as Powerbeats Pro 2.
In terms of battery life, the current AirPods 4 can provide up to 5 hours of playback time on a single charge, with a total battery life of up to 30 hours when used with the charging box, while the version equipped with active noise cancellation drops to 4 hours. AirPods 5 is expected to improve on this, but official data has not been released yet. The combination of a more efficient chip and Bluetooth low energy audio optimization is expected to lead to a significant leap in battery life, which will be a significant improvement in users’ daily use.
No cameras: The AI project is expected to be completed by 2027.
One of the most notable rumors in recent months is that AirPods may have built-in cameras. Apple is working on headphones that can analyze the environment and provide visual information to Siri, but… Mark Gurman has made it clear that the product will not make it to market in this round. AirPods 5 will be released in September, but will not be equipped with a camera; the project’s camera-equipped AirPods leaked on macOS AirPods Ultra with artificial intelligence capabilities will not be released until 2027. This distinction avoids attributing features to the September release model that sources say are exclusive to another device.
The camera located in the pole is not used to take pictures, but to… identify objects, translate letters or interact with artificial intelligence. But that’s another story. AirPods 5, meanwhile, will stay true to the essence of Apple’s entry-level lineup by focusing on the basics: good sound quality, a stable connection, and the choice of noise-canceling (on or off).
The launch on September 9 is expected to be Apple’s largest in recent years. In addition to AirPods 5, iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, foldable iPhone Ultra, and Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 are also expected to be released. In addition, a new Mac mini may also be unveiled, but this product may be released earlier. With so many new product launches, AirPods 5 must stand out among the crowd. Currently, Apple has not released any information. Price, color options and release date in Spain remain a mystery. One thing’s for sure…a refresh of the entry-level AirPods is just around the corner. Users who have been waiting for it since 2024 are finally getting good news. The fifth-generation product promises to continue the essence of the series and improve on it, while allowing users to choose whether to turn on the noise reduction function. The two-year wait is finally over, and while they won’t revolutionize the market, they will certainly further solidify Apple’s lead in the headphone category for those looking for simple, easy-to-use headphones with full features.
