Apple's AirPods 5 Bring Better Noise Cancellation, Lower Price

Apple unveiled the AirPods 5 at its Surprise and Shine event on Wednesday, according to Macworld. The new earbuds look nearly identical to the AirPods 4 they replace but include several internal upgrades. The most significant change is that Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is now standard across the lineup, so buyers no longer need to choose between a version with or without it.

Apple says the AirPods 5 remove up to 50 percent more noise than the AirPods 4, thanks to a new multi-port acoustic architecture and improved computational audio algorithms. Transparency mode has also been refined to make voices and environmental sounds more natural. Adaptive Audio, which automatically switches between ANC and Transparency based on surroundings, is included.

The same acoustic architecture works with a next-generation Adaptive EQ to deliver better sound across a wider range of ear shapes, according to Apple. This also aims to make Personalized Spatial Audio more immersive.

Battery life figures require attention. The AirPods 5 are rated for 4 hours of playback with ANC on. That is one hour less than the AirPods 4 with ANC, but Apple notes the testing methods differ: the older model was tested with ANC off, while the new one was tested with ANC on. With noise control disabled entirely, Apple claims up to 7 hours of listening.

Pricing is a bright spot. The AirPods 5 with a USB-C wired charging case cost $129—the same as the AirPods 4 without ANC—which amounts to a $50 reduction compared to the AirPods 4 with ANC. A version with a wireless charging case costs $149 and also includes volume controls on the stems, similar to the AirPods Pro. That model remains $30 cheaper than the AirPods 4 with ANC.

The trade-off for the lower price is that the $129 model requires plugging in to charge. If wireless charging is important, the $149 option is the one to consider.

Pre-orders are open now, with shipments starting September 18.

For daily use, the improvements to noise cancellation and transparency could make a noticeable difference for people who prefer open-fit earbuds but want to block out more background noise. The lower entry price also makes ANC more accessible. However, the battery life reduction when ANC is active may matter for those who rely on the feature for long stretches. The design remains largely the same, so anyone hoping for a major redesign will not find it here. Whether the sound quality improvements are meaningful will require hands-on testing, but Apple's claims suggest the changes are incremental rather than revolutionary.

This article is based on Macworld's reporting and Apple's announcement details as summarized by Macworld. No independent testing has been performed.