The first generation of AirPods was announced in September 2016. Ten years later, AirPods 5 graced Apple’s audio lineup, bringing advanced features to the entire AirPods range*.

The AirPods 5 build on the foundation of previous generations with intelligent listening modes, seamless integration with Apple devices, and even Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) as standard, all while maintaining a comfortable open-ear design.

Design, inside and out 

Powered by the H2 chip

At the heart of AirPods 5 is Apple's H2 chip. It underpins many of the key audio features that AirPods are known and loved for, including Active Noise Cancellation and Conversation Awareness. The chip works behind the scenes to analyse audio and environmental conditions in real time, helping audio feel more responsive and intelligent.

Look and feel

These wireless earphones retain their classic open-ear design intended for all-day comfort without bulky designs or unnecessary wires getting in the way. Apple has also redesigned the internal acoustic architecture to improve sound quality while maintaining the lightweight fit many users prefer. The result is a pair of earbuds that feel familiar yet offer a significantly improved listening experience.

Smarter controls

Apple AirPods are designed to be used without constantly reaching for a device. AirPods 5 feature an interactive stem that allows users to control playback, calls, and listening modes. 

AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case add a force sensor with volume swipe, allowing users to adjust volume directly from the earbuds. Swiping up on the stem will increase the volume by one notch, and swiping down will reduce the media volume.

Charging options

Both AirPods 5 models feature a USB-C port. This is great for compatibility across a wider range of other products in the Apple ecosystem that also use the same type of port for charging. This means users can use the same Lightning cable to charge their AirPods 5 as well as an iPhone, iPad, or MacBook with a USB-C port.

The Wireless Charging Case offers additional flexibility. Alongside USB-C charging, it also supports Apple Watch chargers and Qi-certified wireless chargers, giving users even more options depending on which charger is available to them at the time.

Listening modes 

Active Noise Cancellation 

ANC blocks out external distractions by using microphones to detect ambient noise and then generating anti-noise to cancel it out. It’s a core feature enjoyed by many who want to catch every detail of a podcast on their commute or stay immersed in a TV show even in a bustling public environment.

For the first time in Apple’s history, Active Noise Cancellation is available across the AirPods range*, making this core feature more accessible to a wider range of budgets. Previously, as seen in the AirPods 4 range, the base model did not feature ANC, and consumers would need to spend more to opt for the AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation. With the introduction of AirPods 5, ANC is available to anyone looking to enjoy Apple’s listening experience.

Transparency mode 

There are times when blocking out the outside world is not ideal. Transparency mode lets environmental sounds pass through the earbuds naturally, helping users remain aware of their surroundings while still enjoying their content. Whether walking through a busy city, waiting for transport, or listening for announcements, Transparency mode keeps users connected to what's happening around them.

Transparency mode is integrated into the Adaptive Audio feature to blend awareness and ANC, but it can also be enabled as a separate setting, allowing users to stay fully aware of their surroundings.

Adaptive Audio 

With Adaptive Audio, users get the best of both worlds. This listening mode dynamically blends Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode in real time based on the user’s surroundings. Rather than manually switching modes, AirPods 5 automatically adjust noise control, helping to provide the right level of awareness and focus in response to environmental changes throughout the day.

Audio settings 

Conversation Awareness 

Conversation Awareness makes quick interactions more convenient. When enabled, this feature automatically lowers audio volume and enhances nearby voices when the wearer starts speaking to someone, allowing users to have passing conversations without removing their earbuds. Once the conversation ends, content returns to its previous volume level without requiring any manual adjustments.

Personalised Spatial Audio 

Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking creates a more immersive listening experience for music, films, TV shows, and games. Sound is positioned around the wearer in three-dimensional space, creating the sensation that audio is coming from specific locations rather than directly from the earbuds.

Users have three settings to choose from to tailor the sound to their wishes:

  • Off – for overall simplicity in the sound
  • Fixed – for clearer direction and a wider array of sound types  
  • Head Tracked – for sound that moves around when the user turns their head 

Conversation Awareness and Personalised Spatial Audio can be enabled alongside any listening mode for a truly personalised experience, including Active Noise Cancellation, Adaptive Audio, and Transparency mode. 

Smart features 

Adaptive EQ

Everyone is a little bit different, from their music tastes to the shape of their ears. The features mentioned so far work together to deliver a taste-tailored experience, but Adaptive EQ takes it a step further for a well-rounded soundscape.

Music and audio are tailored to users' ears using next-generation Adaptive EQ. The technology continuously adjusts sound across a wide range of frequencies to suit different ear shapes, helping deliver a richer and more accurate listening experience.

Voice Isolation 

Calls remain clear thanks to Voice Isolation. Using advanced computational audio, the feature focuses on the wearer's voice while reducing background distractions, helping conversations sound clearer even in noisy or windy environments. AirPods 5 also feature dual beamforming microphones that support studio-quality audio recording for clearer voice recordings with less background interference.

Siri AI 

AirPods 5 offer hands-free access to Siri AI on compatible iPhone models. Users can ask questions, brainstorm ideas, complete everyday tasks, and hold more natural conversations without needing to reach for their phone. And in moments when it may not be possible to speak aloud, users can interact with Siri nonverbally, using simple head movements such as nodding or shaking.

Live Translation

Live Translation helps users communicate across languages. When someone speaks in another supported language, AirPods can translate what they're saying into the user's preferred language. This feature, powered by Apple Intelligence, is designed to make multilingual conversations more accessible and natural.

Apple ecosystem 

Seamless Apple integration 

Like other AirPods, AirPods 5 are designed to work effortlessly across the Apple ecosystem. They pair quickly with devices linked to the same Apple Account and can automatically switch between compatible Apple products when needed. They also automatically pause playback when the earbuds are removed from the user's ears and resume playback when they are placed back in, thanks to sensors embedded in the earbuds.

Audio Sharing 

With AirPods 5, Audio Sharing allows two sets of AirPods to listen to the same content from an iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV, making it easy to share music, films, and shows with another person.

While at times consuming content with earphones can be an individual activity, this feature allows enjoyment to be shared. This is particularly useful for commutes and plane journeys: the perfect time to catch up on a favourite TV show together.

Find My support

If the AirPods are ever misplaced, the Find My app can help locate them. Users can see the last known location, receive separation alerts, and track proximity when nearby.

The Wireless Charging Case adds an additional layer of convenience here. The built-in speaker can play a sound through Find My, helping users locate the case more easily.

AirPods 5 bring many of Apple's premium audio technologies to a comfortable open-ear design. With Active Noise Cancellation, Siri AI, and Live Translation, they offer far more than basic wireless listening.

For users who want additional convenience, the Wireless Charging Case model offers wireless charging, swipe-volume controls, and enhanced Find My functionality, making it the most feature-rich version of the AirPods 5.

Images courtesy of apple.com

*Please note: does not apply to older models of AirPods sold by third parties or through refurbishment programmes.