Apple has introduced the AirPods 5 in two versions, bringing a relatively modest upgrade over the previous generation while making active noise cancellation available across the entire lineup. The new earbuds were announced during Apple’s annual iPhone event.
The standard AirPods 5 are priced at $129 and come with a regular charging case, while the higher-end $149 model adds wireless charging, on-earbud volume controls and improved battery life. Compared with the previous AirPods 4 lineup, the premium version is now $30 cheaper than its predecessor.
Battery life differs slightly between the two models. The standard AirPods 5 offer up to four hours of listening time from the earbuds and up to 20 hours with the charging case, while the $149 version increases those figures to five hours and 22 hours, respectively.
One of the most notable changes is that both AirPods 5 models now include active noise cancellation. Apple says ANC performance has been improved by around 1.5 times compared with the previous generation, giving users better noise reduction without needing to buy the more expensive model.
The overall design remains largely unchanged from the AirPods 4, but Apple has added features such as Live Translation, enhanced Siri capabilities and improved ANC. While the update is not a major redesign, the lower price of the premium model and wider availability of noise cancellation make the AirPods 5 lineup more competitive than before.