Apple has introduced the AirPods 5, bringing improved Active Noise Cancellation, redesigned acoustics, and new Apple Intelligence features to its open-ear wireless earbuds.
The new generation uses a multiport acoustic architecture and next-generation Adaptive EQ, with Apple claiming the best Active Noise Cancellation in an open-ear design. ANC can remove up to 50 per cent more external noise than the AirPods 4 with ANC, while an improved Transparency mode aims to make voices and surrounding sounds feel more natural.
AirPods 5 also gain deeper integration with Siri AI and Live Translation, allowing users with a compatible iPhone to access Apple Intelligence features without taking their phone out of their pocket.
Apple is offering two versions, including a higher-end model with a Wireless Charging Case, longer battery life and on-stem volume adjustment.
Stronger Noise Cancellation Without Ear Tips
Unlike the AirPods Pro, AirPods 5 retain Apple’s open-ear design without silicone ear tips. That makes the improvements to ANC one of the more significant changes this generation.
Apple says a combination of its new acoustic architecture and improved computational audio algorithms enables AirPods 5 to remove up to 50 per cent more noise than AirPods 4 with ANC.
Transparency mode has also been updated to reproduce surrounding voices and sounds more naturally. Adaptive Audio can automatically vary the balance between Transparency and noise cancellation according to the environment.
Conversation Awareness remains part of the experience, automatically lowering media volume when it detects that the wearer has started speaking to someone.
A New Acoustic Design
Apple has re-engineered the acoustic system with technology inspired by AirPods Pro 3.
The new multiport acoustic architecture is paired with next-generation Adaptive EQ, which continually adjusts the sound to account for differences in how AirPods fit individual ears.
Apple says the result is richer and more detailed audio across a wider range of ear shapes, while Personalised Spatial Audio is also intended to sound more immersive and dynamic.
The design has become more durable as well, with Apple improving resistance to dust, sweat and water compared with previous generations.
Siri AI Goes Hands-Free
AirPods 5 also form part of Apple’s wider push to make Siri AI more useful across its devices.
When paired with an Apple Intelligence-compatible iPhone running iOS 27, users can access Siri’s personal context capabilities entirely hands-free.
Siri can draw information from sources such as messages, emails and photos to answer questions or perform actions.
A user could, for example, ask Siri to play a song that a friend previously recommended in a message, or retrieve the details of a restaurant reservation from an email and begin navigation.
Siri Interactions also lets wearers answer certain prompts without speaking. A nod can indicate yes, while shaking the head indicates no.
Live Translation Comes to AirPods 5
Live Translation is another prominent addition, allowing conversations in different languages to be translated through AirPods.
After downloading the required languages in the Translate app, users can start a session by pressing both AirPods stems simultaneously, asking Siri to start Live Translation or using the Action button on a compatible iPhone.
The wearer can then hear the translated conversation through the AirPods in their preferred language.
Apple says ANC and computational audio work together to make translated speech easier to hear while reducing interference from surrounding noise.
Wireless Charging Model Adds Volume Swipe
Apple is differentiating the AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case with several additional features.
A force sensor supports volume swipe. Users can swipe up or down on the stem to adjust volume rather than reaching for their iPhone or asking Siri.
The higher-end model also delivers up to five hours of listening with ANC enabled on a single charge, an improvement of one hour compared with AirPods 4 with ANC.
Total listening time with ANC increases to up to 22 hours when using the charging case.
The Wireless Charging Case can be charged using an Apple Watch charger or Qi-compatible wireless charger, in addition to USB-C.
More Recycled Materials
Apple says AirPods 5 contain 40 per cent recycled material overall, including 100 per cent recycled cobalt in the battery.
The Wireless Charging Case uses 70 per cent recycled plastic, while Apple says 35 per cent renewable energy is used across the manufacturing supply chain. Packaging is entirely fibre-based.
Pricing and Availability in Singapore
The AirPods 5 will be available for S$199, while the AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case will cost S$219.
Both versions can be pre-ordered in Singapore from September 11, with availability in stores beginning September 18.
Find out more at apple.com/sg.
