Apple shows off AirPods 5 with improved active noise cancellation

Apple on Wednesday unveiled the latest generation of its wireless earbuds, the AirPods 5, introducing several upgrades like improved audio, stronger active noise cancellation, and expanded Siri and Apple Intelligence features.

One of the main upgrades is active noise cancellation. Apple says AirPods 5 can reduce background noise by 50% more than the previous generation, making them “the industry’s best” active noise cancellation, according to the company.

“We’re thrilled that with AirPods 5, active noise cancelation is now standard across our entire AirPods lineup. AirPods 5 are a great example of how we take the innovations from our most advanced products and bring them to the rest of the lineup, making them accessible to even more people,” CEO John Ternus said during the event.

Apple has also added volume control to the stem, a feature previously available only with the AirPods Pro. Users can swipe up or down on the stem to change the volume without reaching for their iPhone.

As with other models with the H2 chip, AirPods 5 also offer hands-free Siri and Apple Intelligence features. Users can interact with Siri without picking up their phone, whether they want to ask a question, find information, perform an action, or get directions.

The updated Siri, which Apple says will roll out in beta with iOS 27, is designed to better understand personal context. It can use information from messages, emails, photos, and other apps to provide more relevant responses and complete tasks. For example, Siri could find a restaurant mentioned in an email or play a song a friend recommended in a message.

Transparency mode in AirPods 5 has also been improved, allowing users to hear nearby voices and sounds more naturally. Adaptive Audio can automatically balance noise cancellation and Transparency mode, depending on the surrounding environment. Conversation Awareness, meanwhile, can lower the media volume when the user begins speaking.

Additionally, battery life received an upgrade, with AirPods 5 offering up to five hours of listening with active noise cancellation on a single charge. The charging case brings total listening time to up to 22 hours with active noise cancellation enabled. 

AirPods 5 start at $129, while the version with a Wireless Charging Case costs $149. Pre-orders begin today, with the earbuds arriving September 18.