It’s been a busy day for Apple – in addition to its new iPhones and Apple Watch models, the company also announced the AirPods 5, the latest addition to its wireless earbud range. That said though, they do look awfully familiar at first glance, but a closer look does reveal some nifty new additions.
For one, Apple says that it’s made improvements to Active Noise Cancellation, which can now remove up to 50 percent more external noise than the previous model. The new earbuds also feature an all-new “multiport acoustic architecture” and next-generation Adaptive EQ, both of which are designed to deliver richer sound.
Interestingly, there are two versions of the AirPods 5 – the “standard” AirPods 5 focus on core upgrades like improved dust, sweat, and water resistance, alongside a more natural Transparency mode and Adaptive Audio. Meanwhile, there’s also a slightly more expensive version with a Wireless Charging Case, touch-based volume controls, and extended battery life to up to five hours of playback with ANC enabled, with a total of 22 hours using the case.
They’re also designed to work with Apple Intelligence, and can support hands-free interactions with a more conversational Siri AI. Users can respond to Siri prompts discreetly using head gestures, such as nodding or shaking their head, and even use Live Translation to communicate across languages in real time.
Priced starting at $129, pre-orders begin today in the U.S. and over 65 other countries and regions, with official in-store availability scheduled for Friday, September 18.
