opens in new window
PRESS RELEASE 09 September 2026

Apple introduces AirPods 5, featuring best-in-class open‑ear Active Noise Cancellation

With industry-leading ANC in an open-ear design, improved sound quality, and Live Translation, AirPods 5 deliver the best audio experience Apple has ever offered in this style of AirPods, at an incredible price
A photo of AirPods 5 and their charging case.
AirPods 5 deliver the industry’s best Active Noise Cancellation in an open-ear design, an all-new multiport acoustic architecture, and next-generation Adaptive EQ for even more immersive sound.
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA Apple today announced AirPods 5, delivering the industry’s best Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) in an open-ear design and even better sound quality, at an outstanding value.1 AirPods 5 feature an all-new multiport acoustic architecture and next-generation Adaptive EQ for even more immersive sound. Their breakthrough open-ear ANC removes up to 50 percent more external noise compared to AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation, alongside a more natural Transparency mode. Users can also respond to Siri using head gestures, or use Live Translation to help connect across languages.
AirPods 5 offer the most affordable way to experience some of the most powerful AirPods features — along with greater durability with improved dust, sweat, and water resistance — at HK$1,099. For users who want even more, AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case add longer battery life and on-stem volume control for HK$1,249.2 Customers can pre-order starting today, with availability in stores beginning Friday, September 18.
“We’re thrilled that with AirPods 5, we’re able to bring Active Noise Cancellation — one of our most beloved features — to our most affordable AirPods,” said Dave Pakula, Apple’s vice president of Hardware Engineering. “Both AirPods 5 models deliver a world-class listening experience and enable features like Live Translation for even more people.”
An AirPods 5 user is pictured working at a restaurant surrounded by other people.
AirPods 5 offer the most affordable way to experience some of the most powerful AirPods features, along with greater durability compared to previous models.

Best-in-Class Active Noise Cancellation

Customers love to use ANC to quiet the world around them so they can rest on a noisy flight, get lost in their favorite music, or stay focused on work. AirPods 5 remove up to 50 percent more noise compared to AirPods 4 with ANC thanks to a new multiport acoustic architecture and improved computational audio algorithms. Along with the benefits of ANC, AirPods 5 feature an improved Transparency mode that more naturally represents voices and nearby sounds, helping users stay connected to their surroundings. Providing the best of both worlds, Adaptive Audio dynamically blends Transparency mode and ANC based on the conditions of a user’s environment. And Conversation Awareness lowers the user’s media volume when they start speaking, helping them more easily talk to someone nearby.
Breakthrough Active Noise Cancellation removes up to 50 percent more noise compared to the previous generation, while Transparency mode lets in voices and sounds around the user.

Re-Engineered Sound Quality

Inspired by AirPods Pro 3 and re-engineered for AirPods 5, a new multiport acoustic architecture and next-generation Adaptive EQ deliver richer, more detailed sound across an even wider range of ear geometries. This makes Personalized Spatial Audio more immersive and dynamic, so the user feels like they’re surrounded by whatever they are listening to.3
A new multiport acoustic architecture and next-generation Adaptive EQ deliver richer, more detailed sound across an even wider range of ear geometries.

Live Translation, Enabled by ANC

Live Translation, powered by Apple Intelligence, breaks down barriers by letting users communicate across languages. After setting up Live Translation in the Translate app and downloading their desired languages, AirPods users can access the feature by simultaneously pressing both stems, by saying “Siri, start Live Translation,” or by using the Action button on iPhone — allowing them to hear a conversation in their preferred language. Enabled by ANC and computational audio, this capability is now available across the entire AirPods lineup.
Powered by Apple Intelligence, Live Translation on AirPods 5 breaks down barriers by letting users communicate across languages.

AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case

For users who want even more, AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case deliver great improvements to the AirPods experience. Force sensor with volume swipe arrives on AirPods 5, a first for the open-ear form factor, adding the ability to quickly adjust volume by swiping up or down on the stem.
AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case feature a force sensor with volume swipe to quickly adjust volume on the stem.
Battery life is also improved, with up to five hours of playback with ANC on a single charge — one hour longer than AirPods 4 with ANC, thanks to a redesigned battery. This extends up to 22 hours with the charging case when listening with ANC. The wireless charging case supports Apple Watch chargers, Qi-compatible chargers, and USB-C.
AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case are pictured above a charger.
Battery life is improved with AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case, delivering up to five hours of playback with ANC on a single charge.

AirPods 5 and the Environment

The new AirPods 5 were built with the environment in mind and drive progress toward Apple’s ambitious plan to be carbon neutral across its entire footprint by 2030. They are made with 40 percent recycled material overall,4 including 70 percent recycled plastic in the wireless charging case and 100 percent recycled cobalt in the battery. AirPods 5 are manufactured with 35 percent renewable energy, like wind and solar, across the supply chain, and meet Apple’s high standards for energy efficiency and safe chemistry. Like all Apple products, their paper packaging is 100 percent fiber-based5 and can be easily recycled at home.
Pricing and Availability
  • Customers in Hong Kong, Macau, the U.S. and more than 65 other countries and regions can pre-order AirPods 5 today for HK$1,099, with availability in stores beginning Friday, September 18.
  • Customers in Hong Kong, Macau, the U.S. and more than 65 other countries and regions can pre-order AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case today for HK$1,249, with availability in stores beginning Friday, September 18.
  • For full feature functionality, use AirPods 5 paired with an Apple device running the latest operating system software.
  • Apple Intelligence will be available with iOS 27 on Monday, September 14, for users with an Apple Intelligence-enabled device set to a supported language. Apple Intelligence is available with support for these languages: English, Danish, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish, Vietnamese, Chinese (simplified), Chinese (traditional), Japanese, and Korean. Some features may not be available in all regions or languages. For feature and language availability and system requirements, see apple.com/hk/en/apple-intelligence.
  • Siri AI is rolling out with iOS 27 as a beta on Monday, September 14, for users with a supported device set to English, with support for French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish coming in October. Some features may not be available in all regions or languages.
  • Live Translation is available on compatible Apple devices with the latest operating system software when paired with compatible AirPods with the latest firmware when Apple Intelligence is turned on. This feature is not available in all languages or regions.
  • AppleCare delivers exceptional service and support, with flexible options for Apple users. Customers can choose AppleCare+ to cover their new AirPods 5 or, in available markets, The plan includes coverage for accidents like drops and spills, theft and loss protection on eligible products, battery replacement service, and priority support from Apple Experts. For more information, visit apple.com/hk/en/applecare.
Share article

Media

  • Text of this article

    Copy text

  • Media in this article

    Download all media
  1. Testing conducted by Apple in July 2026 using AirPods 5 paired with iPhone 17 with prerelease AirPods firmware and iOS 27. Noise reduction was tested in accordance with IEC 60268-24. Comparison made against the bestselling wireless open-ear headphones commercially available at the time of testing. Performance depends on device settings, environment, and many other factors.
  2. Battery life varies by use. See apple.com/hk/en/batteries for details.
  3. Personalized Spatial Audio works with compatible content in supported apps. iPhone with TrueDepth camera required to create personalized profile, which will sync across compatible Apple devices. Personalized Spatial Audio is not available when using other devices.
  4. Product recycled or renewable content is the mass of certified recycled material relative to the overall mass of the device, not including packaging or in-box accessories.
  5. Breakdown of U.S. retail packaging by weight. Adhesives, inks, and coatings are excluded from calculations of plastic content and packaging weight.

Press Contacts

Marcus Wong

Apple

marcus_wong@apple.com

+852-25068831

Apple Media Helpline

media.hk@apple.com