GoKawiilApple's AirPods 5 undercut predecessor's price while adding ANC and volume controls
Apple's new AirPods 5 lineup starts at $129, with a $149 version including a wireless charging case, both undercutting the $179 AirPods 4 with ANC by at least $30. Unlike the previous generation, both new models include active noise cancellation, adaptive audio, transparency mode, and an IP57 rating, while the pricier version adds swipe-based volume controls on the stem for the first time on non-Pro AirPods.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
Apple rarely lowers prices on refreshed hardware, so pairing a cheaper price tag with upgraded features like ANC across the whole lineup and long-missing volume controls signals aggressive competition in the wireless earbuds market. It also effectively makes the cheaper base model less appealing, nudging buyers toward the $149 version and reshaping how Apple segments its AirPods tiers.
- AirPods 5 starts at $129, undercutting the AirPods 4 with ANC by $30
- Both new models now include active noise cancellation, unlike the prior split lineup
- The $149 version adds swipe volume controls and wireless charging, making it the clear pick over the base model
Apple AirPods 5 (Wireless Charging Case) — This is the exact model the review calls Apple's best open-ear earbuds: the AirPods 5 with the Wireless Charging Case, which add active noise cancellation, adaptive audio, and stem volume controls. If you've been holding off on upgrading your AirPods, this is the version worth getting over the cheaper base model.
See Apple AirPods 5 (Wireless Charging Case) 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.Source: theverge.com — John Higgins, 2026-09-15
Published there as: “The premium AirPods 5 are the best open-ear earbuds Apple has made”
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