Apple Launches AirPods 5 With Improved Noise Cancellation
Apple Introduces AirPods 5 With Redesigned Acoustics, Stronger Active Noise Cancellation, Longer Battery Life and New On-Stem Controls.
Apple has officially launched the AirPods 5 alongside the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 at its September 9, 2026 event. The new earbuds feature a redesigned acoustic architecture and improved adaptive active noise cancellation, with Apple claiming up to 50 percent better noise reduction compared with the previous generation. The launch forms part of Apple’s broader push to integrate artificial intelligence and smarter audio experiences across its devices.
The AirPods 5 retain Apple’s open-ear design while introducing improvements aimed at sound quality and everyday usability. A second version adds on-stem controls for the first time in Apple’s open-ear AirPods, allowing users to adjust volume by swiping on the stem. Apple has also improved the earbuds’ adaptive audio capabilities, giving users more control over how much surrounding sound reaches them.
Battery performance has also received an upgrade. The AirPods 5 model with the Wireless Charging Case provides up to five hours of playback with active noise cancellation enabled, about an hour longer than the comparable AirPods 4. The charging case can be charged using Apple Watch or Qi-compatible wireless chargers, giving users more flexibility when powering the earbuds.
Apple is also positioning the AirPods 5 as part of its expanding AI ecosystem. With iOS 27 and compatible Apple Intelligence devices, the earbuds can take advantage of Apple’s newer Siri AI experiences and other intelligent audio features. This follows Apple’s wider strategy of connecting its iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods products through increasingly capable on-device and cloud-assisted AI systems.
The AirPods 5 start at $129, while the version with the Wireless Charging Case costs $149, making the upgraded model $30 cheaper than the comparable previous generation. Pre-orders began on September 9, with both versions scheduled to become available on September 18. The launch gives Apple a refreshed entry point in its open-ear earbud range while strengthening the company’s broader ecosystem of connected devices.
