Apple announced AirPods 5 and AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case, updated models in the AirPods 4 lineup released in 2024. The company said the earbuds offer “best-in-class open-ear active noise cancellation.” A new acoustic architecture and improved Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation increase noise reduction by 50% compared with AirPods 4. One of the models offers on-device controls for the first time in Apple’s open-ear design, allowing users to adjust the volume with a swiping motion. This model has up to five hours of playback time, providing one hour more battery life than the previous AirPods 4 with ANC; the wireless charging case supports Apple Watch and Qi chargers. The base model, priced at $129, and the model with a wireless charging case, priced at $149, are now available for pre-order. Both models will go on sale on 18 September.
Why it matters
This announcement expands the options for users seeking noise cancellation and usage controls in the same open-ear product. For those using the previous AirPods 4 with ANC in particular, the decision will depend not only on the increase in sound isolation but also on the convenience that longer battery life and on-device volume control will provide in everyday use. Apple Watch and Qi compatibility in the option with a wireless charging case also makes charging equipment preferences part of the purchasing decision; the price difference between the two models makes the cost of this functionality apparent. However, the real-world performance of the noise cancellation Apple describes as best-in-class in different environments, as well as the impact of the open design on the user experience, has not been addressed by the information in the announcement.
Background
Apple is not a new name in the FikirPilot archive: we have published 49 news stories mentioning this name in the last 90 days; the latest is dated September 13, 2026.