Apple has announced its newest iteration of baseline earbuds, the AirPods 5, which are now available for preorder ahead of their September 18 release. The earbuds start at $129 and include active noise cancellation as a primary new feature. Apple states that the noise cancellation on the AirPods 5 is 50% more effective than on the previous model.
Two models of the AirPods 5 are being offered. The $129 version comes with a standard charging case, while a $149 model includes a wireless charging case compatible with Qi chargers and Apple's MagSafe. The pricier model also adds volume control directly on the earbud stems, a feature absent on the base model.
Beyond noise cancellation, the AirPods 5 will also support features such as spatial audio and Apple's live translation. The earbuds can dynamically switch between noise cancellation and transparency modes based on ambient sound conditions. Apple also announced preorders for the Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4, with the iPhone Duo, iPhone 18 Pro, and Pro Max to follow soon.