Apple announced AirPods 5 on September 9. Both open-ear models include Active Noise Cancellation. U.S. pricing is $129 for the standard pair and $149 for AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case. Pre-orders are open. Store availability is Friday, September 18, in the U.S. and more than 65 other countries and regions.
What Apple claims on ANC and sound
Apple says the new open-ear ANC removes up to 50 percent more external noise than AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation. Transparency mode is described as more natural. Adaptive Audio blends the two modes based on the surroundings. Conversation Awareness drops media volume when the wearer starts talking. A multiport acoustic design and next-generation Adaptive EQ are the sound-side changes Apple lists on the Newsroom page.
The $149 case model
AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case add on-stem volume swipe, a first for Apple’s open-ear buds. Apple rates that model at up to five hours of playback with ANC on one charge, one hour longer than AirPods 4 with ANC, and up to 22 hours with the case. The case works with Apple Watch chargers, Qi chargers, and USB-C. Apple does not put a separate single-charge hour figure for the $129 model on the same Newsroom page.
Siri AI and Live Translation
With a compatible iPhone, AirPods 5 can use Siri AI hands-free and answer with head gestures. Live Translation is listed as well. Apple’s footnotes say Siri AI access on AirPods follows the usual Apple Intelligence device rules, and Siri AI is not available to users under 13. Dust, sweat, and water resistance are improved versus the prior open-ear set, per Apple’s product copy. Exact IP rating text is in the fine print on Apple’s site, not in the headline claim.
Photo: Apple
Source: Apple
