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Apple's new AirPods 5 bring active noise cancellation to both price tiers, a feature previously reserved for pricier configurations. Both versions also include Conversation Awareness, Live Translation, Spatial Audio and Siri features, with Apple claiming up to 50 percent better noise reduction than the AirPods 4's ANC thanks to a redesigned acoustic architecture.
iFixit has rated the latest Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4, along with AirPods 5, as difficult to repair, with scores of 4 and 2 out of 10 respectively. While the Apple Watch Series 12 shows slight improvements over previous models, battery replacement remains a significant challenge. The teardown highlights ongoing issues with repair accessibility and potential non-compliance with US right-to-repair laws.
This holiday season, Americans are spending less on tech products, with average expenditures dropping from $931 to $808 compared to last year. Despite the release of new devices like the iPhone Duo and Switch 2, higher living costs and minimal innovation have led consumers to be more cautious with their budgets. Many are questioning whether new tech is worth the expense given the current economic pressures.
Amazon's fall Prime Day sale has dropped Apple's AirPods Pro 3 to $179, down $70 from their $249 list price and just $10 above the lowest price ever tracked for the model. The 2026 AirPods Max 2 are also discounted by $120 across all five colorways, marking only the second time they've reached this price since release.
Amazon has discounted Anker's Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro earbuds from their usual $169.99 to $135.99, undercutting their prior lowest price of $149.99 and landing $14 below Apple's AirPods 5. The earbuds include active noise cancellation, a screen on the charging case, IP55 water and dust resistance, LDAC high-resolution audio support, and built-in voice commands.
Amazon has discounted Apple's AirPods Pro 3 to $179 shipped, down from their $249 list price, ahead of the official Prime Big Deal Days sale. The price matches one of the lowest ever tracked for the earbuds, which have only been offered that low once before. The deal comes weeks after Apple added new software features to the AirPods Pro 3 via iOS 27, including Custom EQ, updated Adaptive Audio controls, and improved Find My integration.
Amazon is selling the Apple AirPods Pro 3 for $179, down from $249, as part of its October Prime Day sale. The earbuds include five ear tip sizes, noise cancellation, live translation, and a wireless charging case. The Verge reports this is the lowest price since Prime Day in June.
9to5Mac's daily podcast episode for October 1, 2026 summarized recent reporting on production of an 'iPhone Duo' and new details about upcoming AirPods 5. The episode, hosted by Chance, is distributed via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Play and RSS, with a sponsorship from the Stuff to-do app.
Amazon is offering early discounts on several of Apple's newest products as part of its fall Prime Day sale, including AirPods 5, Beats 360 ANC headphones, the Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4, and the M6-powered Mac mini and Mac Studio. Notably, today marks the last day for an 80% discount on the Beats 360 Cushion Kit, dropping it to $10 from $50.
iFixit's teardown of the AirPods 5 found that the batteries in each earbud can be removed and replaced without destroying the device, provided the repair is done carefully by a skilled technician. This earned the earbuds a repairability score of 2 out of 10, the first time any AirPods model has scored above zero since the original launched in 2016. iFixit noted the left and right batteries aren't interchangeable due to reversed polarity and different contact placement, and that everything else inside the earbuds and case remains sealed and unrepairable.
Apple recently launched AirPods 5, bringing active noise cancellation down to a lower price point than before. However, AirPods Pro 3 retain several features not found in the cheaper model, including in-ear tip design, built-in heart rate monitoring during workouts, and hearing health tools such as a hearing test, hearing aid function, and hearing protection.
Engadget published a monthly review roundup covering Apple products released after Labor Day, alongside the return of Sonos. The lineup includes the iPhone 18 Pro with upgraded cameras, the Apple Watch Series 12 with expanded health tracking and unreleased audio features, revamped AirPods 5 with active noise cancellation on both models, and updated Mac mini and Mac Studio units with new chips at higher prices.