Apple Announces AirPods 5 Featuring Active Noise Cancellation And Live Translation

The $149 AirPods 5 model adds touch controls on the earbud stem, allowing users to adjust volume without taking out their phone.
Apple says the AirPods 5 can provide up to five hours of battery life with Active Noise Cancellation enabled.
The earbuds include Custom EQ, giving users more control over their sound profile in addition to the automatic adjustments provided by Adaptive EQ.
The AirPods 5 are scheduled to launch on September 18 alongside the Apple Watch Series 12, Apple Watch Ultra 4 and iPhone 18 Pro models.
Apple announced AirPods 5 on September 9, with two models starting at $129 — a significant price drop that brings Active Noise Cancellation to entry-level earbuds for the first time The Verge. The $149 version adds wireless charging and longer battery life, while both offer hands-free Siri, Live Translation across 10 languages, and IP57 dust and water resistance. Sales begin September 18 Gear News.
Apple claims the open-ear design removes up to 50% more background noise than AirPods 4 with ANC, while keeping users aware of their surroundings Mashable. The base $129 model delivers 4 hours of listening time with ANC on. The $149 model bumps that to 5 hours and adds stem controls for volume adjustments without touching your phone Route Note.
For years, Apple reserved Active Noise Cancellation for premium models like AirPods Pro. Now it's standard across both AirPods 5 versions Gear News. This shift addresses widespread demand for open-ear designs that still block ambient noise. Dave Pakula, Apple's VP of Hardware Engineering, stated: "We're thrilled that with AirPods 5, we're able to bring Active Noise Cancellation — one of our most beloved features — to our most affordable AirPods."
The $30 difference between base and premium versions doesn't divide core audio features. Instead, it separates convenience perks: wireless charging, longer battery life, and stem-based volume controls. This structure lowers the barrier for first-time AirPods buyers while creating an upgrade path for daily commuters and frequent travelers Route Note.
The AirPods 5 introduce real-time Live Translation supporting 10 languages including Mandarin, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish MacRumors. The feature works hands-free with compatible Apple devices running iOS 27, transforming earbuds from music players into communication aids. Users can hear translations directly in their ears during conversations.
This capability deepens Apple's ecosystem strategy. Live Translation ties users to iPhones, iPads, and Macs — devices required to unlock the feature's full potential. Combined with hands-free Siri support for task management and information retrieval, AirPods 5 become context-aware communication tools rather than standalone accessories The Mac Observer.
Apple priced AirPods 5 at Rs 14,900 for the base model and Rs 17,900 for the wireless-charging version in India Gear News. The launch comes September 18 across more than 65 countries. Preorders opened immediately after the September 9 announcement through Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, Target, Costco, and Apple's official store.
Both models feature IP57 durability against dust, sweat, and water. The AirPods 5 launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro, Apple Watch Series 12, and Apple Watch Ultra 4, positioning them as part of Apple's broader AI-driven hardware refresh centered on Apple Intelligence The Verge.
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