Apple unveiled the AirPods 5 on September 9 at its “Surprise and Shine” event. The same event introduced the iPhone 18 Pro, the iPhone 18 Pro Max, and Apple’s first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo.
Next to those headlines, the AirPods 5 quietly close a gap that has followed the AirPods 4 since launch. If you own a pair right now, here is exactly what changed.
AirPods 5 Puts Active Noise Cancellation on Both Models
The base AirPods 5 costs $129 and comes with a standard USB-C charging case. The $149 version swaps in a Wireless Charging Case that works with Qi chargers and the Apple Watch charging puck, plus a built-in speaker for Find My.
Both prices include Active Noise Cancellation, Adaptive Audio, Transparency mode, and Conversation Awareness. That was not the case with the AirPods 4, which launched at $129 with no noise cancellation at all, and $179 for the version that had it.
Apple has stopped selling the AirPods 4 directly. Retailers still have stock, and as of this writing those older models have not dropped below AirPods 5 pricing (via 9to5Mac).
AirPods 5 Claims a 50 Percent Bigger Noise Cancellation Jump
Apple’s headline claim is a 50 percent improvement in noise cancellation over the AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation. The company is calling it the best ANC available in an open-ear design that skips silicone ear tips entirely.
Transparency mode also got a refresh. Voices and ambient sound now come through more naturally instead of sounding processed, according to Apple.
AirPods 5 Steals Its Sound From the AirPods Pro 3 Playbook
Apple built the AirPods 5 around a new multiport acoustic architecture pulled from the AirPods Pro 3. The company describes the result as richer, more detailed sound across a wider range of ear shapes.
Visually, the two generations are nearly identical. Both weigh 4.3 grams and keep the same open-ear shape.
The one giveaway sits on the stem of the $149 model: a small touch-capacitive divot that acts as a volume slider, lifted straight from the AirPods Pro 3 design language (via Yahoo Tech).
AirPods 5 Trades IP54 for a Tougher IP57 Rating
The AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation carry an IP54 rating. Both AirPods 5 models move up to IP57.
Dust protection stays the same across both ratings. Water resistance jumps a full two digits, which should hold up better through sweaty workouts, rain, and spills.
None of this makes the AirPods 5 waterproof. Apple still classifies them as dust, sweat, and water resistant, not submersible.
The Pricier AirPods 5 Buys You an Extra Hour of Battery
The base AirPods 5 runs up to 4 hours per charge with ANC on, matching the AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation. The $149 model stretches that to 5 hours.
With the case factored in, the base AirPods 5 reaches 20 hours total, and the $149 model reaches 22 hours. The AirPods 4 without ANC still leads on raw battery life, rated at 5 hours per charge and 30 hours with the case, but that number comes without any noise cancellation at all.
Every AirPods 5 and AirPods 4 Spec, Side by Side
| Feature | AirPods 5 | AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case | AirPods 4 | AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $129 | $149 | $129 (original) | $179 (original) |
| Active Noise Cancellation | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Battery, single charge (ANC on) | Up to 4 hours | Up to 5 hours | Up to 5 hours (no ANC) | Up to 4 hours |
| Battery with case | Up to 20 hours | Up to 22 hours | Up to 30 hours (no ANC) | Up to 20 hours |
| Water resistance | IP57 | IP57 | IP54 | IP54 |
| Charging case | USB-C | Wireless (Qi and Apple Watch charger) | USB-C | USB-C |
| Chip | H2 | H2 | H2 | H2 |
Standard AirPods 4 Owners Have the Most to Gain
If you own the standard AirPods 4 without ANC, the upgrade case is strong. You get noise cancellation, Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness, IP57 durability, and better sound, all for the same $129 you paid originally.
If you already own the AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation, the upgrade is smaller. You are mainly paying for Apple’s claimed 50 percent ANC improvement, better water resistance, and roughly the same or slightly longer battery life.
Preorders for the AirPods 5 opened September 9, with general availability starting September 18, 2026.
