Apple announces AirPods 5 with ‘best-in-class open‑ear active noise cancellation’

<figure> <img alt="Apple AirPods 5" data-caption="The two new Apple AirPods 5 models both include active noise cancellation. | Image: Apple" data-portal-copyright="Image: Apple" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/09/apple-event-september-2026-245-10-31-51.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" /> <figcaption> The two new Apple AirPods 5 models both include active noise cancellation. | Image: Apple </figcaption> </figure> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Today, Apple <a href="https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2026/09/apple-introduces-airpods-5-with-best-in-class-open-ear-active-noise-cancellation/" data-type="link" data-id="https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2026/09/apple-introduces-airpods-5-with-best-in-class-open-ear-active-noise-cancellation/">announced the AirPods 5</a>, updates to the AirPods 4 series that was first released in 2024. Apple says the new buds feature "best-in-class open&#8209;ear active noise cancellation."</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">The AirPods 5 are redesigned with a new acoustic architecture, upgrades to adaptive active noise cancellation (ANC) with 50 percent better noise reduction than the AirPods 4, and improved sound.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">A second model includes on-stem control - the first time Apple's open-ear design includes it - allowing for volume adjustment by swiping up and down. It also has a longer battery life that provides up to five hours of playback - one hour more than the AirPods 4 wit …</p> <p><a href="https://www.theverge.com/tech/988479/apple-airpods-5-announcement-september-2026-event">Read the full story at The Verge.</a></p>