Apple has officially announced the next generation of its most popular wireless earbuds, the AirPods 5, resolving the difficult trade-off between open-ear comfort and noise isolation. The new earbuds combine the familiar lightweight feel with advanced active noise cancellation, along with a significant leap in sound quality, real-time translation support, and unprecedented interaction with Siri – all without ever needing to touch your phone.
Superior noise insulation in an open design and unparalleled comfort
The AirPods 5 feature a completely new multi-port audio architecture, coupled with advanced computational acoustics algorithms, enabling them to eliminate up to 50% more external noise compared to the previous generation AirPods 4 with noise cancellation. This leap forward provides users with noticeable quietness and greater focus in noisy environments, without the ear-blocking sensation often associated with earbuds that come with silicone ear tips.
Apple hasn't overlooked the importance of connecting with the surrounding world, improving Transparency mode to deliver a natural listening experience that accurately conveys the sounds of people and their environment. It also offers Adaptive Audio, which intelligently and dynamically integrates noise cancellation and Transparency mode based on changes in your surroundings. This integration is further enhanced by Conversation Awareness, which automatically lowers media volume as soon as you start talking to someone nearby, and restores the music to its normal level once the conversation ends.
Dave Pacquiola, Apple's vice president of hardware engineering, emphasized this shift, saying that the company is proud to offer active noise cancellation, which is one of the most popular features among users in this more affordable category, noting that the AirPods 5 models deliver a superior listening experience and enable leading technologies such as real-time translation and intelligent voice capabilities for a wider audience.
Rich audio quality and deep integration with Siri AI
In addition to its multi-port audio architecture, Apple equipped the headphones with the next generation of Adaptive EQ, delivering a richer listening experience and deeper musical detail that precisely adapts to different ear shapes and sizes. This advancement is clearly reflected in Personalized Spatial Audio technology, which has become more immersive and vivid in its depiction of soundscapes and music.
On the software side, headphones have become your direct voice gateway to the capabilities of artificial intelligence via Siri AI on compatible iPhones. You can now ask Siri to play an audio clip sent to you by a friend in a chat, or request directions to a restaurant based on a reservation confirmation email, all with new voices that sound more natural and expressive than ever before.
To enhance the hands-free experience, the Siri interaction feature allows you to respond to calls or notifications with head gestures; a simple head nod is enough to accept or reject the notification. Apple also introduced Live Translation, powered by Apple's own intelligence, which lets you hear conversations in your native language instantly by pressing both earbuds simultaneously, giving a voice command to Siri, or assigning an action button on your iPhone to start translation immediately.
Available options, prices, and availability date
Apple has made the new headphones available in two models to meet users' needs and budgets, with pre-orders officially opening before their market launch on Friday, September 18, in more than 65 countries and regions:
- Standard AirPods 5 model: It is available for $129 and offers full audio enhancements and advanced noise isolation features.
- AirPods 5 model with wireless charging case: Available for $149, it adds wireless charging for the case, a longer battery life, and the ability to control the volume directly by swiping on the stem of the earphone.
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