Apple officially unveiled the AirPods 5 during its 'Surprise and Shine' event in Cupertino, California, alongside several other product announcements. Unlike many of the devices revealed at the keynote that came with higher prices, the AirPods 5 are actually cheaper than their AirPods 4 predecessors.
The base model of the AirPods 5 costs $129 (AU$218-219) and now includes active noise cancellation (ANC)—the same price point as the AirPods 4 without ANC. An upgraded version with a Wireless Charging Case is priced at $149 (AU$249), which is cheaper than the high-end AirPods 4 model that cost $179 with ANC.
Both models use the same H3 Wireless Chip found in previous AirPods generations. New features include Live Translation, full support for Siri AI, and up to 50% more noise reduction compared to the previous generation, achieved through a new multiport acoustic architecture and improved computational audio algorithms. A new Transparency mode is also included, designed to more naturally represent voices and nearby sounds. The earbuds retain the open-ear fit familiar from earlier non-Pro AirPods models and are built to withstand rain.
Battery life differs between the two versions: the base $129 model offers up to 4 hours of listening time with ANC enabled (up to 20 hours with the charging case), while the $149 model with the Wireless Charging Case is rated for about 5 hours with ANC. The pricier model also includes a touch-sensitive stem with a force sensor for volume control via swipe, which Apple says is a first for this open-ear earbud style.
AirPods 5 preorders are currently available exclusively through the Apple Store, with availability expected to expand to retailers such as Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy in the coming days. The earbuds will be available in physical stores starting September 18. As of now, no discounts or deals have been reported on the new AirPods 5.