AirPods 5 make ANC a standard part of Apple's $129 open-ear earbuds while adding improved acoustics, Adaptive EQ, Siri AI, and Live Translation.
Noise cancellation is moving down Apple's price ladder
Apple says AirPods 5 remove up to 50 percent more external noise than AirPods 4 with ANC while starting at $129. That brings one of the company's premium audio features into its mainstream open-ear model.
The acoustic architecture is new too
A multiport acoustic design and next-generation Adaptive EQ are intended to improve sound while preserving the open-ear fit rather than moving users to silicone ear tips.
Siri AI makes the earbuds an interface
AirPods 5 can provide hands-free access to Siri AI, and head gestures let users respond without touching the earbuds. The significance is less about audio playback and more about ambient access to an AI assistant.
Live Translation turns listening hardware into a language tool
After languages are downloaded in Translate, users can invoke Live Translation and hear conversation in their preferred language through AirPods.
Questions people are asking after the Apple event
How much do AirPods 5 cost?
Apple lists AirPods 5 at $129 in the U.S.
Do the standard AirPods 5 include Active Noise Cancellation?
Yes. ANC is included in the $129 AirPods 5.
Do AirPods 5 support Live Translation?
Yes. Live Translation works with Apple Intelligence after the required languages are set up and downloaded.