AirPods 5 add stronger open-ear noise cancellation from $129
Apple announced the fifth-generation AirPods on September 9. The standard model costs $129 and the version with a Wireless Charging Case costs $149. Pre-orders started the same day, and the earbuds reached stores on September 18 in the US and more than 65 other countries and regions.
The headline change is noise control. Apple says the open-ear active noise cancellation removes up to 50 percent more noise than AirPods 4 with ANC, and Transparency mode is also improved. Adaptive Audio blends the two depending on surroundings, and Conversation Awareness lowers media volume when the wearer starts to speak.