Apple AirPods 5 Features, Specs & What’s New Compared to the 4th Gen
Overview
For the past year I used the AirPods 4 without Active Noise Cancellation almost every day. Now I am replacing them with the new AirPods 5.
I bought the AirPods 5 at a large retail chain, the kind of store like Costco, Target or Walmart, at a really good price.
Since the AirPods 4 are what I am upgrading from, they are my reference point for judging the AirPods 5. That is why this post covers what changed on paper, as well as what a year with the AirPods 4 looked like. This post will be updated soon with my hands-on experience, pros and cons, and full verdict.
Product description
Apple announced the AirPods 5 on September 9, 2026, and they replace the AirPods 4 in the lineup. They come in two versions: AirPods 5 with a USB-C charging case, and AirPods 5 with a Wireless Charging Case. Active Noise Cancellation is now included in both.
I bought the standard AirPods 5, with the USB-C charging case. Their model numbers are A3531 and A3532 for the earbuds and A3530 for the case.
Design
According to Apple's specifications, the earbuds weigh 4.3 g and the charging case has the same dimensions as the AirPods 4 case. The earbuds keep the open-ear design.
Noise Cancellation and Sound
Apple claims the Active Noise Cancellation removes up to 50% more noise than the AirPods 4. For sound, Apple lists a new multiport acoustic architecture and next-generation Adaptive EQ, which it says delivers richer, more detailed sound across a wider range of ear shapes. Adaptive Audio, Transparency, Conversation Awareness and Voice Isolation are also listed.
Controls
The earbuds use a force sensor for press and hold gestures. Swiping up or down on the stem to change the volume is available only on the AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case.
Battery and Charging
Apple rates the AirPods 5 at up to 4 hours of listening with Active Noise Cancellation on, and up to 20 hours with the case. The version with the Wireless Charging Case is rated at up to 5 hours, and up to 22 hours with the case. Five minutes in the case gives about 1 hour of listening. The Wireless Charging Case also charges with an Apple Watch charger or any Qi-certified charger, and has a speaker for Find My.
Durability
The AirPods 5 are rated IP57 for dust, sweat and water resistance, up from IP54 on both AirPods 4 models. Apple says they are meant for non-water sports and exercise.
Software and Features
Apple lists Live Translation and Siri AI for the AirPods 5. Both are labeled as beta, and Siri AI starts in English and is not initially available in the EU. Their availability depends on your device, software version and language.
Price
The AirPods 5 launched at $129, and the version with the Wireless Charging Case at $149. The AirPods 4 launched at $129 without Active Noise Cancellation and $179 with it.
Specifications
The AirPods 4 column is the standard model without Active Noise Cancellation, the one I used. The AirPods 5 column shows the standard model with the USB-C case. Differences in the Wireless Charging Case version are noted in the rows.
Price and Noise Cancellation
| Feature | AirPods 5 | AirPods 4Non-ANC |
| Launch price | $129$149 with the Wireless Charging Case | $129 |
| Active Noise Cancellation | Yes | No |
| ANC strength | Apple claims up to 50% more noise removed than the AirPods 4 | Not applicable |
| Live Translation | Yes (beta), needs a compatible iPhone | No |
Audio
| Feature | AirPods 5 | AirPods 4Non-ANC |
| Driver | Custom high-excursion Apple driver | Custom high-excursion Apple driver |
| Amplifier | Custom high dynamic range amplifier | Custom high dynamic range amplifier |
| Listening modes | Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency, Adaptive Audio | Not listed by Apple |
| Other audio features | Conversation Awareness, Voice Isolation, Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking, Adaptive EQ, studio-quality audio recording, vent system for pressure equalization | Voice Isolation, Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking, Adaptive EQ, vent system for pressure equalization |
Chip, Microphones and Sensors
| Feature | AirPods 5 | AirPods 4Non-ANC |
| Chip | H2 headphone chip | H2 headphone chip |
| Microphones | Dual beamforming microphones, inward-facing microphone | Dual beamforming microphones, inward-facing microphone |
| Sensors | Optical in-ear sensor, motion-detecting accelerometer, speech-detecting accelerometer, force sensor | Optical in-ear sensor, motion-detecting accelerometer, speech-detecting accelerometer, force sensor |
Controls
| Feature | AirPods 5 | AirPods 4Non-ANC |
| Press once | Play or pause, answer, end, mute or unmute a call, camera remote | Play or pause, answer a call, mute or unmute a call, camera remote |
| Press twice | End a call, skip forward | End a call, skip forward |
| Press three times | Skip back | Skip back |
| Press and hold | Switch listening modes | Siri |
| Swipe up or down | Adjust volumeWireless Charging Case version only | Not listed by Apple |
| Voice | Say "Hey Siri" or just "Siri" | Say "Hey Siri" or just "Siri" |
Connectivity
| Feature | AirPods 5 | AirPods 4Non-ANC |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Works with | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac, Apple TV and Apple Vision Pro with the latest software | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac, Apple TV and Apple Vision Pro with the latest software |
| Other devices | Works as standard Bluetooth headphones with older Apple software and non-Apple devices, with limited functionality | Works as standard Bluetooth headphones with older Apple software and non-Apple devices, with limited functionality |
Battery and Charging
| Feature | AirPods 5 | AirPods 4Non-ANC |
| Earbuds, ANC on | Up to 4 hoursUp to 5 hours with the Wireless Charging Case | Not applicable (no ANC) |
| Earbuds, noise control off | Up to 6 hoursUp to 7 hours with the Wireless Charging Case | 5 hours |
| With case, ANC on | Up to 20 hoursUp to 22 hours with the Wireless Charging Case | Not applicable (no ANC) |
| With case, noise control off | Not listed by Apple | 30 hours |
| Quick charge | 5 minutes in the case gives about 1 hour of listening | 5 minutes in the case gives about 1 hour of listening |
| Charging the case | USB-CWireless Charging Case: also Apple Watch charger or Qi-certified charger | USB-C |
| Find My speaker in the case | Wireless Charging Case version only | No |
Size, Weight and Durability
| Feature | AirPods 5 | AirPods 4Non-ANC |
| Dust, sweat and water resistance | IP57For non-water sports and exercise | IP54For non-water sports and exercise |
| Each earbud | 30.2 x 18.3 x 18.1 mm (height x width x depth)4.3 g | 30.2 x 18.3 x 18.1 mm (height x width x depth)4.3 g |
| Charging case | 46.2 x 50.1 x 21.2 mm (height x width x depth) | 46.2 x 50.1 x 21.2 mm (height x width x depth) |
| Case weight | 32.3 g34.7 g for the Wireless Charging Case version | 32.3 g |
Inside the box
A year with the AirPods 4
I am including this section because the AirPods 4 are what I am replacing, and a year of daily use is the baseline I compare the AirPods 5 to. If you only want to know about the AirPods 5, you can skip this section.
Why I bought them
I bought the AirPods 4 because the price was good, and I suddenly found myself without earphones. I decided to stay with them, and they were with me for the whole year.
How I used them
I used them every day. I am out of the house most of the time, so I wore them almost all the time, except in situations where it was not appropriate.
My main phone is the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, and before that I used them for a while with the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. I also have an iPhone 17 and I use them with it too, mostly at home, since I carry that phone around less these days. With an Android phone I cannot enjoy the extra features that Apple keeps for its own ecosystem.
Sound and calls
The sound is excellent. I have tried a lot of different headphones (see the Headphones & Earbuds hub at the end of this post), and I have no bad word to say about these. I listened to music, watched movies, series and videos, listened to podcasts and audiobooks, took calls and recorded videos with them. In all of these the sound was great for me, and also for the people I talked with and for those who watched the videos I recorded.
The only few times it was hard to talk was when an ambulance passed by me on the street and made an unbearable noise.
Connection
The connection is excellent, especially with my Android and Samsung phones. They never disconnected, and they worked from the moment I took them out of the case until I put them back, except when the battery ran out in the middle.
Controls and charging
I barely used the controls on the earbuds. Since they were connected to Android, I enjoyed fewer of the features reserved for Apple's ecosystem, so I did most of the operating from the phone itself, and it was comfortable for me.
Charging was fast and I had no problems with it. The status light is enough for me. The fact that I do not get an easy battery indication on Android is a drawback. Android does not show it by default, but third-party apps exist that can add it.
Battery
The battery life is good. But since I use them so much every day, I sometimes found myself stuck without battery and without a way to charge them, including from the case. I am used to headphones with a battery that never ends, but for earbuds this is perfectly fine and no different from other models and brands.
Fit, design and durability
They sit great in the ear, and they almost never fell out, except for a few times I can count on one hand. The design is understated.
From the first moment I made sure the case had a protector, and it stayed in good shape all year. The earbuds also stayed in very good shape, except for one tiny, almost invisible scratch that was probably caused by one of the rare drops.
What I missed, and what I am waiting for
I really wanted Active Noise Cancellation and missed it, and it was my main reason for replacing them. With the AirPods 5 I am looking forward to the Active Noise Cancellation and to extra features such as Live Translation, to see how they work and whether they add real value.
Apple says Live Translation runs through a compatible iPhone, so I will be able to try it with my iPhone 17, but not with my Samsung.
Pros
Coming soon: I haven’t had the chance to use the AirPods 5 yet, so this section isn’t ready. It will be updated soon with the pros I find after real use.
Cons
Coming soon: I haven’t had the chance to use the AirPods 5 yet, so this section isn’t ready. It will be updated soon with the cons I find after real use.
Overall Verdict
I haven’t had the chance to use the AirPods 5 yet. My full verdict, including whether they are worth the upgrade from the AirPods 4, will be added soon.
Coming soon, after I test them.
Where to buy
Below is the link to purchase the Apple AirPods 5:
Photos
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