Apple launches AirPods 5 with 50% stronger Active Noise Cancellation and Siri AI, starting at $129

Apple Brings Active Noise Cancellation to Entire AirPods 5 Lineup at $129

Apple introduced AirPods 5 at its Surprise and Shine event in Cupertino this week, marking a significant shift in its wireless earbuds strategy1

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. For the first time, every AirPods 5 model now ships with Active Noise Cancellation as standard, starting at $1291

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. This represents the same price point as the previous generation without Active Noise Cancellation, making advanced audio features more accessible across Apple's wearable lineup4

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. The announcement came alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and Apple Watch Series 12 launches, but for millions who buy base AirPods annually, this may prove more consequential1

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50% Stronger Noise Reduction Through Redesigned Architecture

Both AirPods 5 models feature a new multiport acoustic architecture combined with improved computational audio algorithms that eliminate up to 50% more external noise than the ANC-equipped AirPods 41

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. Apple says this acoustic system represents its strongest Active Noise Cancellation yet in open-ear earbuds2

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. The redesigned internal structure delivers richer, more detailed sound through next-generation Adaptive EQ that adjusts the listening experience to account for differences in ear shape1

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. Transparency mode also received improvements, making nearby voices and environmental sounds feel more natural when ANC switches off2

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. Adaptive Audio can automatically balance noise cancellation and transparency based on surrounding conditions2

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Deep Siri AI Integration with Personal Context Understanding

AirPods 5 offer deeper hooks into Apple Intelligence for supported iPhones, featuring hands-free Siri AI with personal context understanding across messages, emails, photos, and other apps1

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. Siri AI can now take natural language commands to play songs recommended by friends in messages, navigate to dinner reservations confirmed in emails, and complete other complex actions without users picking up their iPhone1

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. Users can respond to Siri prompts discreetly using physical gestures like nodding or shaking their head1

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. The wireless earbuds also support existing AI-powered features from AirPods 4, including the ability to text friends using third-party apps like WhatsApp or play e-books on Audible1

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. Conversation Awareness automatically lowers media volume when users start speaking, making it easier to talk to someone nearby1

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Live Translation Enables Real-Time Cross-Language Communication

Live Translation stands out as a practical application of Apple Intelligence in AirPods 51

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. Users can translate supported languages in real time by pressing both stems simultaneously and saying "Siri, start live translation"1

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. The feature works hands-free with iPhone and AirPods, allowing users to follow translated conversations while remaining mobile4

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. This positions AirPods 5 as an extension of Apple Intelligence, transforming the open-ear earbuds into communication tools that transcend language barriers3

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Two Models Differentiated by Battery Life and Controls

Apple offers AirPods 5 in two configurations with minimal but meaningful differences1

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. The base $129 model pairs with a case supporting only wired charging and delivers four hours of usage on its own with 20 hours total using the charging case1

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. The $149 premium model includes a wireless charging case with a speaker that works with Find My, plus on-stem volume controls allowing users to swipe up or down to adjust volume1

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. This version stretches ANC playback to five hours per charge thanks to a redesigned battery cell, with 22 hours total listening time using the case1

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. Both models feature improved IP57 rating for water and dust protection, compared to AirPods 4's IP54 rating, making them more suitable for workouts and everyday use1

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. Pre-orders began September 9 in the US and 65 other countries, with in-store availability starting Friday, September 181

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