AirPods 5 Launch
Apple introduces AirPods 5 featuring active noise cancellation and redesigned acoustics for users.
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Key Points
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The AirPods 5 have an IP57 water-resistance rating, an improvement highlighted alongside their redesigned acoustic architecture and updated Adaptive EQ.
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AirPods Pro 3 supports hearing tests, a hearing-aid function and hearing protection; its hearing test takes about five minutes and can inform a personalised sound profile.
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iOS 27 expands GymKit to use an iPhone and AirPods for workout tracking, a feature aimed at people who exercise without wearing a smartwatch.
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The Mobiles.co.uk iPhone 18 Pro bundle also includes a 20W USB-C power adapter and offers up to £480 off when customers trade in an eligible handset.
Apple's new AirPods 5 bring active noise cancellation to the company's open-fit earbuds for the first time, expanding ANC beyond the pricier Pro models. Popular Mechanics reports the earbuds reduce steady low-frequency noise while letting voices and sharper sounds through. The open design prioritizes comfort for long listening sessions but sacrifices some isolation compared to the silicone-tipped AirPods Pro 3.
Both AirPods 5 versions feature redesigned acoustics, improved sound quality, and updated Adaptive EQ. The higher-end model adds on-stem volume control and longer battery life, while both gain an IP57 water-resistance rating. Yahoo Tech notes these upgrades make ANC standard across Apple's earbuds lineup at a slightly lower price point.
How AirPods 5 Noise Cancellation Compares
The AirPods 5's ANC effectively dampens steady, low-frequency noise like airplane engines and air conditioning hum. However, reviewers note the open-fit design allows sharper sounds and voices to pass through more easily than the sealed AirPods Pro 3. This trade-off makes them better for situational awareness but less isolating for deep focus or loud environments.
The AirPods Pro 3 retains stronger noise cancellation thanks to its silicone ear tips, which create a tighter seal in the ear canal. It also includes heart-rate tracking and hearing-related features absent from the AirPods 5. For users prioritizing maximum isolation and health monitoring, the Pro model remains the stronger choice.
New Features for Workouts and Hearing Health
iOS 27 now lets users track workouts using an iPhone and AirPods together without a smartwatch. This GymKit expansion targets people who exercise casually and don't own wearables. Apple also expanded hearing features on the Pro model, including a five-minute hearing test that creates a personalized sound profile.
The AirPods Pro 3 can function as a hearing aid and activate hearing protection to guard against loud sounds. These health-focused tools differentiate the Pro line and appeal to users managing hearing loss or noise-related concerns.
UK Deal Bundles AirPods 5 With iPhone 18 Pro
UK retailer Mobiles.co.uk is offering AirPods 5 bundled with iPhone 18 Pro contracts, sweetening the deal with a 20W USB-C power adapter. Customers can trade in eligible handsets for up to £480 off, but the package includes upfront costs and scheduled monthly price increases. This promotion targets upgrade customers looking for a complete Apple ecosystem bundle.
Design Comfort Over Maximum Isolation
The open-fit design feels less secure than silicone-tipped competitors and provides less isolation. However, many users prefer this approach for all-day wear because there's no pressure against the ear canal. The AirPods 5's redesigned acoustic architecture and improved sound quality help offset the isolation trade-off.
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