Apple has officially introduced the AirPods 5, bringing active noise cancellation to its latest open-ear AirPods design along with improved sound quality, Siri AI, Live Translation and longer battery life. The new wireless earbuds were announced on September 9, 2026, as part of Apple’s latest product lineup.
The AirPods 5 are positioned as Apple’s most affordable AirPods with Active Noise Cancellation. Apple says the new earbuds deliver industry-leading ANC for an open-ear design, while also offering a redesigned acoustic architecture and next-generation Adaptive EQ.
One of the biggest highlights is the upgraded Active Noise Cancellation system. Apple says AirPods 5 can remove up to 50 percent more external noise than AirPods 4 with ANC, thanks to the combination of new acoustic hardware and improved computational audio algorithms.
The open-ear design remains a key part of the AirPods 5 experience. Unlike in-ear AirPods Pro models that use silicone ear tips to create a seal, the AirPods 5 are designed to sit more openly in the ear, which Apple says provides all-day comfort while still delivering powerful noise cancellation.
Apple has also improved Transparency mode. The company says it is designed to reproduce nearby voices and environmental sounds more naturally, allowing users to remain aware of what is happening around them while wearing the earbuds.
Adaptive Audio is another feature available on AirPods 5. It automatically blends Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode based on the user’s surroundings, allowing the earbuds to adjust their noise-control behaviour as the environment changes.
Conversation Awareness also returns, automatically reducing media volume when the wearer begins speaking to someone nearby and restoring the volume afterward.
Sound quality has received a major redesign as well. AirPods 5 feature a new multiport acoustic architecture inspired by Apple’s AirPods Pro technology, combined with next-generation Adaptive EQ.
The new architecture is designed to deliver richer and more detailed sound across a wider range of ear shapes. Adaptive EQ adjusts the audio according to the user’s ear geometry, while Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking provides a more immersive three-dimensional listening experience.
Apple is also placing a strong emphasis on artificial intelligence with AirPods 5.
When paired with an Apple Intelligence-supported iPhone, the earbuds provide hands-free access to the company’s new Siri AI. Users can ask Siri to perform tasks using information from messages, emails, photos and supported applications.
For example, Apple says users can ask Siri to play a song mentioned in a message or help navigate to information contained in an email.
The new Siri experience is designed to understand personal context and respond more conversationally. Apple says Siri AI is rolling out as a beta with iOS 27, initially supporting English, with additional languages planned for October.
AirPods 5 also introduce hands-free Siri interactions using head movements. Users can respond to Siri by nodding their head to indicate yes or shaking their head to indicate no, allowing them to interact without touching their iPhone or earbuds.
Another major feature is Live Translation, powered by Apple Intelligence. The feature allows AirPods users to hear translated conversations in their preferred language, potentially making communication across different languages easier.
To use Live Translation, users can press both AirPods stems simultaneously, ask Siri to start the feature or use the Action button on a compatible iPhone. The feature requires compatible Apple hardware, current software and supported languages and regions.
Apple is launching two versions of the new earbuds. The standard AirPods 5 come with a USB-C charging case, while AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case add longer battery life and additional controls.
The standard AirPods 5 provide up to four hours of listening time with ANC enabled on a single charge. The version with the Wireless Charging Case increases this to up to five hours, while the case provides up to 22 hours of total listening time with ANC.
The Wireless Charging Case also introduces a force sensor with volume swipe. This allows users to adjust volume directly from the AirPods stem by swiping up or down, a feature Apple says is being introduced to its open-ear form factor for the first time.
The wireless charging case supports USB-C, Apple Watch chargers and Qi-compatible chargers. It also includes a speaker for Find My functionality, making it easier for users to locate the charging case if it is misplaced.
Durability has also been improved. Apple says AirPods 5 carry an IP57 rating for dust, sweat and water resistance, making them better suited to workouts and everyday use.
The earbuds use Apple’s H2 chip, which powers features including computational audio, Voice Isolation, Siri interactions and other intelligent capabilities.
Voice Isolation is designed to make calls clearer by reducing background noise, while Apple also says the AirPods 5 can support studio-quality audio recordings.
Pricing makes the AirPods 5 particularly notable within Apple’s audio lineup. In India, the standard AirPods 5 are priced at ₹14,900, while AirPods 5 with the Wireless Charging Case cost ₹17,900.
Apple has started accepting pre-orders, with retail availability scheduled to begin on September 18, 2026. The products are launching across more than 65 countries and regions.
The Indian launch places the AirPods 5 directly into a competitive segment where consumers increasingly expect premium features such as ANC, transparency modes, spatial audio and AI-powered functions without necessarily paying flagship-level prices.
The new model could appeal particularly to people who dislike the sealed feeling of traditional in-ear earbuds but still want noise cancellation. Apple is attempting to solve that problem by combining its open-ear design with computational ANC.
The addition of Live Translation could also become one of the more interesting long-term features. Rather than being limited to music and calls, AirPods are increasingly being positioned as an intelligent wearable device that can interact with Apple’s AI ecosystem.
The combination of AirPods 5 and Siri AI could make hands-free interaction more practical for everyday tasks. Users could potentially retrieve information, interact with supported apps or access personal information without repeatedly reaching for their phone.
Apple is also highlighting the environmental aspects of the new earbuds. AirPods 5 are made with 40 percent recycled material overall, including 70 percent recycled plastic in the wireless charging case and 100 percent recycled cobalt in the battery. Apple says the supply chain uses 35 percent renewable energy for manufacturing the product.
The company has also retained fibre-based paper packaging as part of its broader environmental goals.
Overall, AirPods 5 represent a substantial upgrade to Apple’s open-ear AirPods lineup. The combination of stronger ANC, redesigned acoustics, Adaptive EQ, Personalized Spatial Audio, Siri AI and Live Translation gives the earbuds a significantly broader feature set than simply wireless audio playback.
The biggest differentiator may be the way Apple has combined open-ear comfort with Active Noise Cancellation. If Apple’s claims about improved noise reduction translate into real-world performance, the AirPods 5 could offer an appealing middle ground between conventional open-ear earbuds and sealed in-ear noise-cancelling headphones.
With prices starting at ₹14,900 in India and availability beginning September 18, the AirPods 5 are now positioned as one of Apple’s most accessible ways to experience its latest ANC, AI and translation technologies.














