Apple announced the fifth-generation AirPods on September 9. The standard model costs $129 and the version with a Wireless Charging Case costs $149. Pre-orders started the same day, and the earbuds reached stores on September 18 in the US and more than 65 other countries and regions.
The headline change is noise control. Apple says the open-ear active noise cancellation removes up to 50 percent more noise than AirPods 4 with ANC, and Transparency mode is also improved. Adaptive Audio blends the two depending on surroundings, and Conversation Awareness lowers media volume when the wearer starts to speak.
For sound, a new acoustic design and updated Adaptive EQ aim to work across more ear shapes. Personalized Spatial Audio is supported, and users can answer Siri with head gestures. Dust, sweat and water resistance are better than before.
The charging-case model adds a force sensor for adjusting volume by swiping on the stem, which Apple describes as a first for open-ear earbuds. Apple quotes up to 5 hours of listening with ANC on a charge and up to 22 hours with the case. Apple's release did not name the chip. The earbuds use 40 percent recycled materials overall.
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