Apple has unveiled a major upgrade for its hugely popular AirPods, promising better sound, much stronger noise cancellation and smarter hands-free features. The AirPods Gen 5 will go on sale next week and are definitely worth keeping an eye on if your current buds are a little past their best.
The biggest boost comes to Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), which Apple says is now 50% better than the previous generation. That means you should hear way more of your music and far less background noise getting in the way. There’s also Adaptive Audio, which automatically balances Transparency mode (a feature that lets some sound in) and ANC depending on what’s happening around you.
And when you start talking, Conversation Awareness can automatically turn down your music, so there’s no need to pull the buds out just to have a chat.
Another bonus is a fully redesigned acoustic architecture for improved audio, along with a next-generation Adaptive EQ. Apple is promising richer and more detailed sound thanks to these upgrades.
Things get even smarter when the AirPods are paired with an Apple Intelligence-compatible iPhone. You can use Siri completely hands-free to carry out tasks, such as playing a song a friend has recommended in a message or getting directions to a restaurant mentioned in an email.
Live translation could also come in handy when travelling and needing to understand the local lingo, with the AirPods able to offer this in real time.
Battery life has also been improved. AirPods 5 now offer up to five hours of listening with ANC switched on, giving users an extra hour compared with AirPods 4 with ANC.
Apple has also made the buds more durable, with improved resistance to dust, sweat and water.
And there’s some particularly good news for your wallet: Apple hasn’t increased the price. The new AirPods 5 start at £119, despite price rises hitting plenty of other tech products this year.
Want wireless charging? The AirPods 5 with wireless charging case cost £139. This version also gets improved touch controls and longer battery life.
Speaking at the launch, Dave Pakula, Apple’s vice president of Hardware Engineering, said: “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.
“Both AirPods 5 models deliver a world-class listening experience and enable features like Live Translation for even more people. Paired with Siri AI, AirPods are a game changer for unlocking powerful hands-free capabilities.”
