AirPods 5 makes ANC standard and integrates Siri AI, all while cutting the price

And when Apple says “hands-free”, it includes nodding or shaking your head to discreetly respond to Siri AI.

Adjacent to Siri AI is the support for Live Translation. You can activate it by pressing on both stems at the same time, using the Action button on an iPhone, or by saying “Siri, start Live Translation”.

What else is on the AirPods 5?

The AirPods 5 also features a new multiport acoustic architecture, as well as next-generation adaptive EQ. Apple wasn’t specific with what these actually improve, but it stated that the AirPods 5 has more detailed sound output for a wider range of ear shapes. It also said that Personalised Spatial Audio has been made more immersive.

For the AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case, it gains on-stem volume control, something previously locked to the AirPods Pro line.

The standard AirPods 5 sports 4 hours of playback with ANC and 20 hours with the case. As for the AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case, Apple touts 5 hours of ANC playback, and 22 hours with the case. The company also stated that the AirPods 5 has a “re-engineered” battery cell, though it’s not immediately clear whether Apple has switched the AirPods’s battery chemistry to silicon-carbon.

Finally, despite these improvements, there’s no generational upgrade in the chipset. The AirPods 5 are powerd by the H2 chip, the same one found in the AirPods 4, AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods Max 2.

Availability and Pricing

The AirPods 5 retails at S$199, while the AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case will cost S$219. Notably, the standard AirPods 5 cost the same as their predecessor without ANC, something that Apple was keen to point out. The AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case is also S$30 cheaper than the previous AirPods 4 with ANC.

Pre-orders for the AirPods 5 begin on 11 September 2026 at 9am SGT. It will be available starting 18 September 2026. You can pre-order them on Apple’s website here.