Macworld

Apple introduced the AirPods 5 during its Surprise and Shine event on Wednesday. Apple’s popular earphones have a very similar design to the model they replace, but they feature several internal improvements over the AirPods 4. Here are five things you need to know about the new AirPods 5.

1. Better Active Noise Cancellation

Apple introduced Active Noise Cancellation to the entry-level AirPods with the AirPods 4 in 2024, a welcome feature for anyone who prefers open-air earphones instead of in-ear ones such as the AirPods Pro. On the AirPods 5, the ANC has gotten even better, thanks to a “new multi-port acoustic architecture and improved computational audio algorithms.” Apple claims that the AirPods 5 removes up to 50 percent more noise compared to the AirPods 4.

Apple also improved Transparency mode so that voices and sounds are more natural. The Adaptive Audio feature tracks the sound in your environment and automatically switches between ANC and Transparency modes.

2. Active Noise Cancellation is now standard

Active Noise Cancellation is now a standard feature for the AirPods, meaning you can’t get a model without it, as was the case with AirPods 4. So you no longer have to shop and ponder if you really need ANC or not–if you don’t want to use it, then simply turn it off.

3. Improved sound quality

That new multiport acoustic architecture that improved ANC also works with a “next-generation Adaptive EQ” to generate better sound across “an even wider range of ear geometries,” according to Apple’s announcement. This also makes Personalized Spatial Audio sound more immersive.

Apple made improvements that result in better sound from the AirPods 5.

Apple

4. Better battery life

The AirPods 5 are rated at 5 hours of playback with ANC active, which is one hour longer than the AirPods 4. Combined with the charging case, the AirPods 5 offer 22 hours of battery life when using ANC, a two-hour boost over the AirPods 4.

5. The price

The AirPods 5 with a USB-C charging case is $129, which is the same as the AirPods 4 without ANC, effectively a $50 price cut over AirPods 4 with ANC. In this era of increasing prices, this is a great surprise.

One caveat, however. The $129 AirPods now come with a wired charging case, which means you need to plug it in to charge it. If that’s a nuisance, Apple offers the AirPods 5 with a wireless charging case for $149 (and you’ll also get volume controls built into the stems like AirPods Pro). So, the AirPods 5 (with ANC standard) and the wireless charging case are still $30 cheaper than the AirPods 4 with ANC. Cool.

The AirPods 5 are available for pre-order now, with shipments starting on September 18.

AirPods 5 Best Prices Today:

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