Apple announced the AirPods 5, the latest iteration of its wireless earbuds, bringing several notable improvements. The new model offers active noise cancellation that Apple claims reduces background noise by 50% more than the previous generation, positioning it as a leading feature in the industry. Volume control has been added to the stem, allowing users to adjust sound levels with a swipe, a feature previously exclusive to AirPods Pro.
Equipped with the H2 chip, AirPods 5 support hands-free Siri and enhanced Apple Intelligence features. The updated Siri, expected to debut in beta with iOS 27, is designed to better understand personal context by accessing information from messages, emails, and photos to provide more relevant responses and complete tasks more effectively.
Transparency mode has been refined to allow users to hear surrounding sounds more naturally. Adaptive Audio dynamically balances noise cancellation and transparency based on the environment, while Conversation Awareness lowers media volume when the user starts speaking.
Battery life has also improved, with up to five hours of listening time on a single charge with active noise cancellation enabled. The charging case extends total listening time to 22 hours.
The AirPods 5 start at $129, with a version including a Wireless Charging Case priced at $149. Pre-orders are available immediately, with shipments beginning on September 18.