Apple has announced AirPods 5, introducing Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) to an open-ear design alongside improved sound quality. There will be two versions offered, one as standard, and another with the optional wireless charging case.
AirPods 5: What’s New
Noise Cancellation & Sound Quality
AirPods 5 use a new multiport acoustic architecture combined with updated computational audio algorithms, which Apple said reduces external noise by up to 50% more than AirPods 4 with ANC. The device also includes an updated Transparency mode designed to represent voices and ambient sounds more naturally, along with Adaptive Audio, which automatically blends Transparency mode and ANC depending on the user’s surroundings. A Conversation Awareness feature lowers media volume when the user begins speaking to make conversations with nearby people easier.
Sound quality has also been updated, drawing on technology from the AirPods Pro 3 – the new multiport acoustic architecture and Adaptive EQ are designed to deliver clearer audio across a wider range of ear shapes, which Apple said also improves the performance of Personalized Spatial Audio. Users can additionally respond to Siri using head gestures with AirPods 5.
AirPods 5 With Wireless Charging Case
The version bundled with a Wireless Charging Case introduces a force sensor with volume swipe control on the stem, marking the first time this feature has been included in an open-ear AirPods model, allowing users to adjust volume by swiping up or down. Battery life has also been extended, offering up to five hours of playback with ANC enabled on a single charge, an hour longer than AirPods 4 with ANC, and up to 22 hours total when combined with the charging case. The wireless charging case is compatible with Apple Watch chargers, Qi-compatible chargers and USB-C charging.
Apple said the standard AirPods 5 also include improved dust, sweat and water resistance compared to the previous generation, though it stopped short of quoting IP ratings.
Pricing & Availability
AirPods 5 are available for pre-order in Malaysia and more than 65 other countries and regions from Friday, 11 September, priced at RM599, with the Wireless Charging Case version priced at RM699. Both models become available in stores from Friday, 18 September.
Pokdepinion: Open-ear ANC almost sounds like an oxymoron, which is only going to take some proper engineering to make this work.
