Apple is significantly strengthening Active Noise Cancellation on AirPods 5, claiming its fifth-generation open-ear earbuds can remove up to 50 percent more external noise than AirPods 4 with ANC.
The improvement is particularly notable because AirPods 5 retain Apple’s open-ear design rather than relying on the silicone ear tips used by the AirPods Pro lineup to create a physical seal.
Apple attributes the gain to a redesigned multiport acoustic architecture and updated computational audio algorithms. The same hardware contributes to a more natural Transparency mode designed to let voices and environmental sounds through when users need greater awareness of their surroundings.
Adaptive Audio remains part of the experience, automatically blending ANC and Transparency mode according to the environment. Conversation Awareness can also reduce media volume when the wearer starts talking.
The acoustic redesign extends beyond noise cancellation. Next-generation Adaptive EQ adjusts audio output for different ear geometries, while Apple says Personalized Spatial Audio should sound more immersive and dynamic.
Before the announcement, AirPods 5 had been expected to arrive in two versions, potentially separating ANC from the least expensive model. Apple has instead included noise cancellation on the $129 entry configuration.
The $149 AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case adds on-stem volume controls and longer battery life, but uses the same headline ANC technology.
Apple describes the system as its strongest open-ear Active Noise Cancellation to date.
Both AirPods 5 models are available to pre-order now and will reach stores on September 18.