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AirPods 5

read original get Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation → more articles
Why This Matters

Apple is pushing Active Noise Cancellation and AI features down to its cheapest AirPods, with the $129 AirPods 5 claiming best-in-class open-ear ANC and up to 50% more noise removal than AirPods 4. Bundling hands-free Siri AI and Live Translation into an entry-level model turns earbuds into a mass-market gateway for Apple's AI ambitions and squeezes budget rivals on price.

Key Takeaways
Worth a Look

Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation — If open-ear AirPods with ANC sound like your thing, the current AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation are the model the next generation builds on. They keep the classic no-eartip fit while adding noise cancellation, Transparency mode, and tight iPhone and Siri integration, plus a compact USB-C charging case.

See Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.

September 9, 2026

PRESS RELEASE

Apple introduces AirPods 5, featuring best-in-class open‑ear Active Noise Cancellation

With industry-leading ANC in an open-ear design, improved sound quality, hands-free access to Siri AI, and Live Translation, AirPods 5 deliver the best audio experience Apple has ever offered in this style of AirPods, at an incredible price

CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA Apple today announced AirPods 5, delivering the industry’s best Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) in an open-ear design and even better sound quality, at an outstanding value.1 AirPods 5 feature an all-new multiport acoustic architecture and next-generation Adaptive EQ for even more immersive sound. Their breakthrough open-ear ANC removes up to 50 percent more external noise compared to AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation, alongside a more natural Transparency mode. Combined with Siri AI and iPhone, AirPods enable users to draw on their personal context and get answers with broad world knowledge, entirely hands-free.2 Users can also respond to Siri using head gestures, or use Live Translation to help connect across languages.

AirPods 5 offer the most affordable way to experience some of the most powerful AirPods features — along with greater durability with improved dust, sweat, and water resistance — at $129. For users who want even more, AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case add longer battery life and on-stem volume control for $149.3 Customers can pre-order starting today, with availability in stores beginning Friday, September 18.

“We’re thrilled that with AirPods 5, we’re able to bring Active Noise Cancellation — one of our most beloved features — to our most affordable AirPods,” said Dave Pakula, Apple’s vice president of Hardware Engineering. “Both AirPods 5 models deliver a world-class listening experience and enable features like Live Translation for even more people. Paired with Siri AI, AirPods are a game changer for unlocking powerful hands-free capabilities.”

Best-in-Class Active Noise Cancellation

Customers love to use ANC to quiet the world around them so they can rest on a noisy flight, get lost in their favorite music, or stay focused on work. AirPods 5 remove up to 50 percent more noise compared to AirPods 4 with ANC thanks to a new multiport acoustic architecture and improved computational audio algorithms. Along with the benefits of ANC, AirPods 5 feature an improved Transparency mode that more naturally represents voices and nearby sounds, helping users stay connected to their surroundings. Providing the best of both worlds, Adaptive Audio dynamically blends Transparency mode and ANC based on the conditions of a user’s environment. And Conversation Awareness lowers the user’s media volume when they start speaking, helping them more easily talk to someone nearby.

Re-Engineered Sound Quality

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