Apple AirPods 5 Announced: No More Paying Extra – ANC Is Now Standard on Every Model
Ten Years After the Original, Apple Brings ANC Standard to Both Models
2,3 / 5,0 | 
Exactly ten years after the original, Apple just announced the AirPods 5. The biggest change actually lands on the cheaper model: Active Noise Cancellation used to be reserved for the pricier version only. Now, the $129 AirPods 5 come with ANC built in as standard. The open-fit design without silicone tips, unlike the Pro lineup, stays exactly the same.
Apple AirPods 5: Prices, ANC, and Everything That Changed With the New Generation
Two Models and a New Pricing Structure
With the outgoing AirPods 4, you had to pay extra for ANC: $129 without it, $179 with noise cancellation included. That split is gone now. The new AirPods 5 still cost $129, but ANC comes included for everyone this time around.
If you want more, there’s the AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case at $149, noticeably cheaper than the $179 ANC version of the AirPods 4. That gets you a force sensor with swipe-based volume controls right on the stem, an extra hour of battery life with ANC enabled, and wireless charging for the case. Pre-orders are open now, with both models hitting stores on September 18, 2026.
A New Chip for Better Audio Processing
The headline technical upgrade here is a new main chip, meant to enable more advanced audio processing and lower latency. Apple didn’t specify exactly which chip generation is inside during the presentation, though. With ANC enabled, Apple says you get more effective filtering, plus better clarity in Transparency mode for things like hearing announcements come through clearly.
There’s no camera or extra environmental sensors packed into the AirPods 5. Rumor has it Apple is saving that for a separate Ultra lineup, though that’s reportedly not landing until sometime next year at the earliest. Honestly, we’re already curious what that version will bring to the table, an actual built-in camera would be a genuinely wild addition.
Verdict
Having ANC included on the cheaper model while the premium variant’s entry price drops by $30 is a noticeably more customer-friendly pricing structure than what the AirPods 4 offered. The new chip sounds promising on paper, though how much it actually moves the needle on sound quality and battery life is something we’ll only really know once we’ve tested a pair ourselves.
It’s a bit of a letdown that the batteries are still sealed inside, non-replaceable. Starting February 2027, EU regulations will require replaceable batteries in devices like these, so this remains unresolved for now with the AirPods 5.
Would you pay the extra $20 for the wireless charging version, or does the base model with ANC already cover everything you need?
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