Apple has officially announced the AirPods 5. The signature open-ear style headphones are getting a major overhaul, bringing active noise cancellation—one of Apple's most popular audio features—to this open-ear design for the first time.
While both new models bring significant sound quality upgrades, Apple is giving buyers two distinct choices depending on how much control and battery life they need.
Open-Ear Active Noise Cancellation
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is usually reserved for headphones with soft tips that physically seal off your ear canal. However, Apple is bringing high-end ANC to the open-ear design with AirPods 5, claiming it blocks up to 50 percent more outside noise than the previous AirPods 4.
Think of this like turning down the background volume on the world around you. It lets you quiet down a noisy flight or workplace chatter without feeling like your ears are completely plugged up.
Alongside ANC, you also get:
- Adaptive Audio: Dynamically mixes noise cancellation and Transparency mode depending on how loud your surroundings are.
- Conversation Awareness: Automatically lowers your music or podcast volume the second you start speaking to someone nearby.
Intelligent Features and Live Translation
Powered by Apple Intelligence and Siri AI, the new AirPods allow for fully hands-free help on the go. You can ask Siri to pull up buried details in your emails or messages, or discreetly respond to Siri prompts simply by nodding your head yes or shaking it no.
Another standout addition this year is Live Translation. By pressing both earbud stems or asking Siri to launch the feature, AirPods 5 can translate spoken foreign languages in real time right into your ear.
Upgrading to the Wireless Charging Case: Is It Worth It?
Apple is releasing two versions of the AirPods 5. The base model starts at $179 CAD, but for $209 CAD, the model with the Wireless Charging Case offers two major upgrades that make daily use much easier:
On-Stem Touch Controls
For the first time on an open-ear model, the pricier AirPods 5 give you touch controls right on the stem. Instead of pulling out your iPhone to change the volume, you can simply swipe up or down on the earbud stem to adjust how loud your audio plays.
Longer Battery Life
The upgraded model gets a redesigned battery that boosts playback time to 5 hours with ANC turned on—giving you an extra hour of listening time compared to the AirPods 4 with ANC. With the wireless charging case included, **total listening time extends up to 22 hours. **
Pricing and Availability
Pre-orders for both models are live right now, with store availability beginning Friday, September 18.
AirPods 5: $179 CAD
AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case: $209 CAD
Are you planning to upgrade your current earbuds for open-ear noise cancellation, or are on-stem volume controls a must-have for you? Feel free to leave a comment below or reach out on Instagram (@drewkozub) to share your thoughts!
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