Apple Announces AirPods 5 With Improved ANC, Starting at $129

Apple today announced AirPods 5, a new generation of its open-ear wireless earbuds with improved Active Noise Cancellation, updated audio hardware, and a starting price of $129. A $149 version adds a wireless charging case, longer battery life, and on-stem volume control.



Pre-orders begin today in the United States and more than 65 other countries and regions. Both versions will be available in stores beginning Friday, September 18.

Improved Active Noise Cancellation and Sound

AirPods 5 use a new multiport acoustic architecture and updated computational audio algorithms. Apple says the earbuds remove up to 50 percent more external noise than AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation, while an updated Transparency mode is designed to reproduce nearby voices and sounds more naturally.



Adaptive Audio continues to blend noise cancellation and Transparency mode according to the surrounding environment, while Conversation Awareness lowers media volume when the wearer begins speaking. A next-generation version of Adaptive EQ is intended to produce richer and more detailed sound across a wider range of ear shapes, with support for Personalized Spatial Audio.



Apple also says the new models provide better resistance to dust, sweat, and water than the previous generation.

Siri AI and Live Translation

When paired with an Apple Intelligence-compatible iPhone, AirPods 5 provide hands-free access to Siri AI, which begins rolling out in beta with iOS 27 on September 14. The assistant can use personal context from messages, email, photos, and other content, take actions in apps, and respond to general knowledge questions. Siri Interactions also let users answer prompts by nodding or shaking their head.


Live Translation can be started by pressing both stems, asking Siri, or using the Action button on an iPhone. The feature plays translated speech through the earbuds and is now supported across the AirPods lineup. It requires compatible AirPods with current firmware, a compatible Apple device running the latest software, and Apple Intelligence; language and regional availability vary.



Siri AI will initially support English, with French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish arriving in October. Some features will not be available in every region or language.

Wireless Charging Case, Volume Control, and Battery Life

The $149 AirPods 5 configuration includes a wireless charging case and adds a force sensor with volume swipe, bringing on-stem volume adjustment to Apple's open-ear AirPods for the first time.



That version provides up to five hours of listening with Active Noise Cancellation enabled, one hour more than AirPods 4 with ANC. Total listening time reaches up to 22 hours with the case, which can be charged using an Apple Watch charger, a Qi-compatible charger, or USB-C.

Pricing and Availability

AirPods 5 cost $129, while AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case cost $149. Pre-orders are open now, and retail availability begins September 18. Apple says full feature support requires the earbuds to be paired with an Apple device running its latest operating system.