Apple debuts AirPods 5 with active noise cancellation across two models starting at $129

Hardware lineup and pricing structure

Apple introduced the AirPods 5 wireless earbuds during its product presentation on September 9, 2026, presenting two distinct models that both feature active noise cancellation. The entry-level variant arrives at a retail price of $129 in the United States and €149 in European markets, keeping the same entry price point as the base AirPods 4 from 2024. The step-up version includes a wireless charging case and retails for $149 in the United States and €169 in Europe. This represents a $30 price reduction compared to the previous generation AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation, which launched at $179 in September 2024. Preorders for both models began on September 9, 2026, ahead of in-store availability and customer delivery starting on Friday, September 18, 2026.

Acoustic design and noise cancellation

The updated generation introduces active noise cancellation to an open-fit earbud format that lacks silicone ear tips. Apple states that the system removes up to 50% more ambient noise than the noise-cancelling variant of the AirPods 4. This reduction is achieved through an acoustic redesign featuring a multiport structure paired with updated computational audio algorithms and next-generation adaptive equalization. The acoustic changes draw from design principles used in the AirPods Pro 3, allowing the hardware to fit a wider range of ear shapes while delivering personalized spatial audio. An updated transparency mode lets external sounds and voices pass through with greater clarity, while adaptive audio continuously shifts between transparency and noise reduction based on ambient sound levels.

Wireless charging case and battery endurance

The physical hardware and battery capabilities diverge between the two newly announced versions. The higher-tier $149 model introduces stem swipe controls, allowing users to adjust audio volume directly by sliding a finger along the stem of the earbud. In terms of battery performance, the base $129 version provides four hours of continuous playback with active noise cancellation enabled and up to 20 hours of total listening time using the charging case. The $149 variant provides five hours of playback with active noise cancellation and up to 22 hours of listening time when factoring in the case, an increase of one hour over previous noise-cancelling models. The wireless case also supports charging via Apple Watch chargers, Qi-certified wireless charging pads, and USB-C cables.

Apple Intelligence and Live Translation integration

On the software side, the earbuds incorporate Apple Intelligence features, notably expanding Live Translation to the standard non-Pro earbud family. Once language packs are downloaded within the Translate application on a paired device, users can activate real-time translation by pressing both earbud stems simultaneously, issuing a voice command to Siri, or pressing the Action button on an iPhone. Conversation awareness automatically lowers playback volume when the user begins speaking to someone nearby. Dave Pakula, Apple vice president of hardware engineering, detailed the computational audio features during the keynote presentation. The new hardware does not include optical sensors or cameras, preserving standard audio-focused hardware across the lineup.