PRESS RELEASE
09 September 2026
Apple introduces AirPods 5, featuring best-in-class open-ear Active Noise Cancellation
With industry-leading ANC in an open-ear design, improved sound quality, and Live Translation, AirPods 5 deliver the best audio experience Apple has ever offered in this style of AirPods, at an incredible price
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA AirPods 5 feature an all-new multiport acoustic architecture and next-generation Adaptive EQ for even more immersive sound. Its breakthrough open-ear ANC removes up to 50 percent more external noise compared to AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation, alongside a more natural Transparency mode. Users can also respond to Siri using head gestures, or use Live Translation to help connect across languages.
AirPods 5 offer the most affordable way to experience some of the most powerful AirPods features — along with greater durability with improved dust, sweat, and water resistance — at €149. For users who want even more, AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case add longer battery life and on-stem volume control for €169. Customers can pre-order starting today, with availability in stores beginning Friday, September 18.
“We’re thrilled that with AirPods 5, we’re able to bring Active Noise Cancellation — one of our most beloved features — to our most affordable AirPods,” said Dave Pakula, Apple’s vice president of Hardware Engineering. “Both AirPods 5 models deliver a world-class listening experience and enable features like Live Translation for even more people.”
Best-in-Class Active Noise Cancellation
Customers love to use ANC to quiet the world around them so they can rest on a noisy flight, get lost in their favourite music, or stay focused on work. AirPods 5 remove up to 50 percent more noise compared to AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation thanks to a new multiport acoustic architecture and improved computational audio algorithms. Along with the benefits of ANC, AirPods 5 feature an improved Transparency mode that more naturally represents voices and nearby sounds, helping users stay connected to their surroundings. Providing the best of both worlds, Adaptive Audio dynamically blends Transparency mode and ANC based on the conditions of a user’s environment. And Conversation Awareness lowers the user’s media volume when they start speaking, helping them more easily talk to someone nearby.
Re-Engineered Sound Quality
Inspired by AirPods Pro 3 and re-engineered for AirPods 5, a new multiport acoustic architecture and next-generation Adaptive EQ deliver richer, more detailed sound across an even wider range of ear geometries. This makes Personalised Spatial Audio more immersive and dynamic, so the user feels like they’re surrounded by whatever they are listening to.3
Live Translation, powered by Apple Intelligence, breaks down barriers by letting users communicate across languages. After setting up Live Translation in the Translate app and downloading their desired languages, AirPods users can access the feature by simultaneously pressing both stems, by saying “Siri, start Live Translation,” or by using the Action button on iPhone — allowing them to hear a conversation in their preferred language. Enabled by ANC and computational audio, this capability is now available across the entire AirPods lineup.
AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case
For users who want even more, AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case deliver great improvements to the AirPods experience. Force sensor with volume swipe arrives on AirPods 5, a first for the open-ear form factor, adding the ability to quickly adjust volume by swiping up or down on the stem.
Battery life is also improved with up to five hours of playback with ANC on a single charge — one hour longer than AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation, thanks to a redesigned battery. This extends up to 22 hours with the charging case when listening with ANC. The wireless charging case supports Apple Watch chargers, Qi-compatible chargers, and USB-C.
AirPods 5 and the Environment
The new AirPods 5 were built with the environment in mind and drive progress toward Apple’s ambitious plan to be carbon neutral across its entire footprint by 2030. They are made with 40 percent recycled material overall, including 70 percent recycled plastic in the wireless charging case and 100 percent recycled cobalt in the battery. AirPods 5 are manufactured with 35 percent renewable energy, like wind and solar, across the supply chain, and meet Apple’s high standards for energy efficiency and safe chemistry. Like all Apple products, their paper packaging is 100 percent fibre-based12 and can be easily recycled at home.
Pricing and Availability
- Customers in the U.S. and more than 50 other countries and regions can pre-order AirPods 3 today, with availability in stores beginning Friday, September 19.
- For full feature functionality, use AirPods 5 paired with an Apple device running the latest operating system software.
- Apple Intelligence will be available with iOS 27 on Monday, September 14, for users with an Apple Intelligence-enabled device set to a supported language. Apple Intelligence is available with support for these languages: English, Danish, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish, Vietnamese, Chinese (simplified), Chinese (traditional), Japanese, and Korean. Some features may not be available in all regions or languages. For feature and language availability and system requirements, see apple.com/apple-intelligence.
- Siri AI is rolling out with watchOS 27 as a beta on Monday, September 14, for users with a supported device set to English, with support for French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish coming in October. Some features may not be available in all regions or languages.
- Live Translation is available on compatible devices with the latest operating system software when paired with compatible AirPods with the latest firmware when Apple Intelligence is turned on.
- AppleCare delivers exceptional service and support, with flexible options for Apple users. Customers can choose AppleCare+ to cover their new AirPods 5, or in available markets, AppleCare One to protect multiple products in one simple plan. Both plans include coverage for accidents like drops and spills, theft and loss protection on eligible products, battery replacement service, and priority support from Apple Experts. For more information, visit apple.com/applecare.
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- Testing conducted by Apple in July 2026 using AirPods 5 paired with iPhone 17 with prerelease AirPods firmware and iOS 27. Noise reduction was tested in accordance with IEC 60268-24. Comparison made against the best-selling wireless open-ear headphones commercially available at the time of testing. Performance depends on device settings, environment, and many other factors.
- Battery life varies by use. See apple.com/batteries for details.
- Spatial Audio works with compatible content in supported apps. Personalised Spatial Audio is not available when using other devices.
- Product recycled or renewable content is the mass of certified recycled material relative to the overall mass of the device, not including packaging or in-box accessories.
- Breakdown of U.S. retail packaging by weight. Adhesives, inks, and coatings are excluded from calculations of plastic content and packaging weight.