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Apple announces the AirPods 5

Developed over time first seen 2 months ago

The Verge · 2 months ago

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.

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In short

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

How this story developed

2 months ago Apple has announced the AirPods 5, an update to the AirPods 4 line launched in 2024, with the headline feature being what Apple calls "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.
2 months ago Apple has announced the AirPods 5, an update to the AirPods 4 line released in 2024, headlined by what the company calls "best-in-class open-ear active noise cancellation" — a new acoustic architecture and adaptive ANC upgrades deliver 50% better noise reduction than the previous generation, alongside improved sound quality.
2 months ago 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.
2 months ago Apple has unveiled the AirPods 5, an update to the AirPods 4 line launched in 2024, with the headline improvement being what Apple calls "best-in-class open-ear active noise cancellation" — a 50% improvement in noise reduction over the AirPods 4, achieved through a new acoustic architecture and adaptive ANC upgrades, alongside improved sound quality.
2 months ago Apple has announced the AirPods 5, an update to the AirPods 4 line released in 2024, headlined by what the company calls "best-in-class open-ear active noise cancellation." The redesigned earbuds use a new acoustic architecture and deliver 50% better noise reduction than the AirPods 4, alongside improved sound quality.
2 months ago Apple has unveiled the AirPods 5, an update to the AirPods 4 line first released in 2024, with the new "open-ear" active noise cancellation touted as the buds' standout feature.

9 Sep, 17:57Engadget Apple modestly upgrades the AirPods 5 with better noise cancellation
9 Sep, 18:17TechCrunch Apple shows off AirPods 5 with improved active noise cancellation
9 Sep, 20:00Wired Everything Apple Announced: iPhone Duo, iPhone 18 Pro, Apple Watch, AirPods 5
9 Sep, 20:18Consequence Apple Announces First Foldable iPhone and AirPods 5
9 Sep, 20:29The Verge Apple announces the AirPods 5
9 Sep, 20:29Ars Technica Apple debuts $129 AirPods 5 with better noise cancellation and transparency mode

Full account

Apple has unveiled the AirPods 5, an update to the AirPods 4 line that debuted in 2024. The company says the new earbuds have been rebuilt with a fresh acoustic architecture, delivering what it calls the best active noise cancellation yet achieved in an open-ear earbud design. Apple points to a 50 per cent improvement in noise reduction over the AirPods 4, alongside general upgrades to overall sound quality.

As with the previous generation, the range is split into two versions. The pricier model introduces on-stem controls for the first time on Apple's open-ear earbuds, letting users adjust volume by swiping along the stem rather than relying solely on pinch gestures. Battery life has also been extended, with up to five hours of playback on a single charge — an hour longer than the noise-cancelling AirPods 4 offered. That higher-specification model comes with a wireless charging case compatible with Apple Watch chargers and standard Qi pads.

Pre-orders opened today, with the standard AirPods 5 priced at $129 and the version bundled with the wireless charging case at $149 — some $30 cheaper than the equivalent case option cost with the previous generation. Both models are due to go on sale on 18 September. The AirPods 4 generation had itself marked a shift for Apple, being the first open-ear AirPods to split into ANC and non-ANC variants, both built around the H2 chip with pinch-based controls and matching sound quality; reports at the time noted that even without earbuds sealing the ear canal, the ANC version coped surprisingly well with background noise.

The launch came during an Apple event largely dominated by new iPhone announcements, with the AirPods update serving as a smaller addition to the day's news rather than a headline act. It also holds symbolic weight as the first product event overseen by John Ternus since his elevation to chief executive, given that he was serving as vice-president of hardware engineering when the original AirPods launched back in 2016. Notably absent was any confirmation of the camera-equipped AirPods that have been the subject of speculation following an earlier accidental leak; that model remains unannounced, with Bloomberg reporting it is not expected to arrive until sometime next year.

Where outlets differ

From the full account, which is AI-written from the sources:

One account frames the announcement primarily around the technical upgrades and draws a symbolic link to John Ternus's history with AirPods and his new role as CEO, while the other frames it as a secondary story overshadowed by the iPhone reveal.

Only one source discusses the rumoured camera-equipped AirPods and Bloomberg's reporting that they are expected next year; the other does not mention this at all.

One source provides more detailed background on the AirPods 4 generation's features (H2 chip, pinch controls, ANC performance), while the other focuses mainly on pricing and release timing.

Explained simply

Apple's AirPods have been the company's flagship wireless earbuds since 2016, and it periodically refreshes the range with new hardware and features. The AirPods 5 succeed the AirPods 4, which came out in 2024, and belong to Apple's "open-ear" style of earbuds, meaning they sit in the ear rather than sealing it shut like some rival products.

The update matters partly because of what it offers buyers: better noise cancellation and sound in an open-ear design, plus a cheaper price for the top model than before. It's also notable as the first Apple hardware launch overseen by John Ternus since he became the company's chief executive, and he previously worked on hardware engineering when the original AirPods were created.

Beyond the specifications, the announcement fits into Apple's broader pattern of yearly product updates, which shape how the company competes with other headphone and earbud makers and keeps its existing customers upgrading.

Coverage · 6 sources

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