AirPods 5 are increasingly expected to make their debut alongside Apple’s new iPhones and Apple Watches this week, giving Apple another major accessory refresh for the holiday season.
Apple is reportedly preparing two versions of AirPods 5, continuing the strategy used with AirPods 4 by offering a standard model alongside a more expensive version with Active Noise Cancellation.
As reported by 9to5Mac, the timing fits Apple’s usual AirPods release cycle, with the previous generation having launched in 2024.
Leaks around AirPods 5 have been unusually limited compared with Apple’s new iPhones, but references discovered in recent macOS software have added weight to reports that the earbuds are ready for launch.
An updated H-series chip is among the most likely internal changes, potentially improving audio processing, latency and power efficiency.
Apple is also expected to continue expanding the role of AirPods in health and accessibility, although the exact features planned for this generation remain less clear.
One feature that now appears unlikely is an integrated camera system. More ambitious camera-equipped AirPods have been linked to a later generation rather than the models expected this week.
The Apple Post recently included AirPods 5 among the products that could appear at Apple’s September 9 event, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro lineup, iPhone Ultra and new Apple Watch models.
If Apple does unveil AirPods 5 on Wednesday, pricing and the differences between the two versions will likely determine how significant the upgrade feels for existing AirPods owners.
