Overview
- Preorders for the AirPods 5 are live and units are scheduled to ship on September 18, with retailers such as Best Buy offering enhanced trade-in values that can cut the effective price to about $64 for some customers.
- Apple is selling two AirPods 5 configurations priced at $129 for the base model and $149 for the version with a wireless charging case, and Active Noise Cancellation is included on both models.
- Both models use the H2 chip and a redesigned multiport acoustic architecture to enable next‑generation Adaptive EQ, Personalized Spatial Audio, Live Translation, and an improved IP57 resistance rating.
- Apple lists battery figures of up to five hours of listening with ANC on for the wireless‑case model and up to 22 hours total with the case, and the company confirmed no USB‑C cable or power adapter will be included in either box.
- Coverage so far urges caution until independent lab and real‑world tests arrive to verify Apple’s claims about up to 50% better ANC, sound improvements, and battery life while reviewers and price trackers compare the new models to discounted AirPods Pro 3 and legacy AirPods 4 options.