# Apple announces the AirPods 5

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/apple-announces-the-airpods-5/
- Published: 2026-09-09T20:29:17+00:00
- Updated: 2026-09-10T02:43:35+00:00
- Original publisher: The Verge
- Original article: https://www.theverge.com/tech/988479/apple-airpods-5-announcement-september-2026-event
- Topics: Entertainment, Software, Technology, TV

## Key points

- Apple unveiled AirPods 5 with stronger open-ear noise cancellation
- Two models: $129 standard and $149 with wireless charging case
- Available for preorder now, on sale from 18 September

## Summary

Apple has announced the AirPods 5, an update to the AirPods 4 line launched in 2024, headlined by what Apple describes as "best-in-class open-ear active noise cancellation." A redesigned acoustic architecture and upgraded adaptive ANC deliver 50% better noise reduction than the previous generation, alongside improved sound quality. The announcement came during John Ternus's first Apple hardware event as chief executive, a fitting touch given he was vice president of hardware engineering when the original AirPods launched in 2016.

Two versions are on offer: a standard AirPods 5 at $129, and an AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case at $149, which is $30 cheaper than the outgoing equivalent model. The Wireless Charging Case version introduces on-stem swipe controls for volume, a first for Apple's open-ear design, and offers up to five hours of playback, an hour more than the AirPods 4 with ANC, while also supporting Apple Watch and Qi charging. Both models are available for preorder now and go on sale on 18 September.

## Coverage

- [The Verge: Apple announces the AirPods 5](https://www.theverge.com/tech/988479/apple-airpods-5-announcement-september-2026-event)
- [Engadget: Apple modestly upgrades the AirPods 5 with better noise cancellation](https://www.engadget.com/2254010/apple-modes-upgrade-to-the-airpods-5-is-better-noise-cancellation/)
- [TechCrunch: Apple shows off AirPods 5 with improved active noise cancellation](https://techcrunch.com/2026/09/09/apple-shows-off-airpods-5-with-improved-active-noise-cancellation/)
- [Wired: Everything Apple Announced: iPhone Duo, iPhone 18 Pro, Apple Watch, AirPods 5](https://www.wired.com/story/everything-apple-announced-september-2026/)
- [Consequence: Apple Announces First Foldable iPhone and AirPods 5](https://consequence.net/2026/09/apple-iphone-duo-airpods-5-iphone-18-pro/)
- [Ars Technica: Apple debuts $129 AirPods 5 with better noise cancellation and transparency mode](https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2026/09/apple-debuts-129-airpods-5-with-better-noise-cancellation-and-transparency-mode/)

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.