GoKawiilFor months, rumor had it that Apple was going to release a new version of its AirPods Pro equipped with tiny IR cameras designed to power new Siri AI visual intelligence features and perhaps recognize hand gestures, the way Apple’s Vision Pro headset does.
While those AirPods may materialize in 2027, we didn’t see them at this year’s “Surprise and shine” event on Wednesday. What Apple did announce were new versions of its standard AirPods, the AirPods 5, both featuring improved active noise canceling. The step-up model supports wireless charging and has better battery life, along with volume controls on its stems. Available for preorder today, they cost $129 and $149, respectively, and ship Sept. 18.
The AirPods 5 look identical to the AirPods 4. David Carnoy/CNET
I always expected the AirPods 5 to arrive this year, as Apple tends to follow a two-year refresh cycle for its AirPods models. But, like a lot of other people, I wondered whether they would be the first AirPods with Apple’s new H3 chip. That isn’t the case, as both AirPods 5 models are powered by Apple’s H2 chip. They look identical to their predecessors, although Apple says it’s upgraded the buds’ internal acoustic architecture, which has improved their sound quality slightly.
The AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation were something of a technological marvel. ANC is a rare feature for open earbuds because it typically doesn’t work with an open design. As I said in my review, while the AirPods 4’s ANC isn’t that great compared with the AirPods Pro 3 and other top noise-canceling earbuds from Bose and Sony, the fact that it works at all and is reasonably effective is kind of wild. And now Apple says it’s 50% more effective.
Like its predecessor, the entry-level AirPods 5’s case doesn’t support wireless charging, while the step-up model’s case does. However, the entry model does have active noise canceling for the same price of $129. Aside from the wireless charging case, the biggest difference between the two models is battery life.
The entry-level model is rated for 4 hours of battery life with noise canceling on at moderate volume levels (up to 6 hours with it off), while the step-up model offers up to 5 hours (7 hours with it off). Also, as noted, the step-up model has volume controls on the stem, similar to the AirPods Pro 3. Apple also says the transparency mode for both models has been improved and sounds more natural. Additionally, the AirPods 5 have an IP57 water-resistance rating, which means they can be fully submerged in water. The AirPods 4 have an IP54 water-resistance rating.
I got some hands-on time with the buds, and the noise canceling does seem better, with better muffling of higher and midrange frequencies. I wasn’t able to assess the alleged sound quality improvements, but I’ll post a full review of the AirPods 5 in the coming days, with a deeper dive into sound quality and voice-calling performance.