Apple
Apple AirPods 5
Apple's first open-ear earbuds with Active Noise Cancellation, alongside a redesigned Transparency mode and Conversation Awareness.
AppleImage unavailable
- Chip
- H2 headphone chip
- Design
- Open-ear form factor; improved dust, sweat, and water resistance (no IP rating published)
- Sensors
- Dual beamforming microphones Inward-facing microphone Optical in-ear sensor Motion-detecting accelerometer Speech-detecting accelerometer Force sensor
- Controls
- Press once to play or pause media Press once to answer a call or mute or unmute Press once for camera remote Press twice to end a call Press twice to skip forward Press three times to skip back Press and hold to switch between listening modes Swipe up or down to adjust volume (AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case) Say “Hey Siri” or just “Siri” to do things like play a song, make a call, or get directions With Siri Interactions, nod your head yes or gently shake your head no when Siri asks if you want to answer an incoming call, hear a text message, manage notifications, and more
The decision
Where it wins
- Custom high-excursion driver and high dynamic range amplifier for high-quality audio
- Improved Transparency mode and Conversation Awareness for better situational awareness
- Up to 22 hours of total battery life with the charging case
- Dust, sweat, and water-resistant (IP57)
Where it doesn't
- Battery life is relatively short at up to 4 hours with ANC enabled
- Compatibility is limited to Apple devices only
Ideal forApple device users seeking high-quality audio and noise cancellationIndividuals who prefer open-ear designs for comfort and situational awareness
Key Features
- ✦Custom high-excursion Apple driver
- ✦Active Noise Cancellation
- ✦Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking
- ✦Up to 22 hours of total battery life with charging case
- ✦Dust, sweat, and water-resistant (IP57)
- ✦Live Listen audio and other accessibility features
02 / Technical record
Specifications
Structured product data, grouped by system.
Core hardware02
| Chip | H2 headphone chip |
|---|---|
| Audio / Architecture | New multiport acoustic architecture |
Power & thermal02
| Battery / With ANC | Up to 4 hours per charge (vs 3 hours on AirPods 4) |
|---|---|
| Battery / With Wireless Charging Case + ANC | Up to 22 hours total |
Physical & connectivity03
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.3 wireless technology |
|---|---|
| Size And Weight | AirPods 5 (Each): Height: 1.19 inches (30.2 mm), Width: 0.72 inch (18.3 mm), Depth: 0.71 inch (18.1 mm), Weight: 0.15 ounce (4.3 grams), Charging Case (USB-C): Height: 1.82 inches (46.2 mm), Width: 1.97 inches (50.1 mm), Depth: 0.83 inch (21.2 mm), Weight: 1.14 ounces (32.3 grams) |
| Size And Weight (Each) | Height: 1.19 inches (30.2 mm) Width: 0.72 inch (18.3 mm) Depth: 0.71 inch (18.1 mm) Weight: 0.15 ounce (4.3 grams) |
Other specifications19
| Design | Open-ear form factor; improved dust, sweat, and water resistance (no IP rating published) |
|---|---|
| Sensors | Dual beamforming microphones Inward-facing microphone Optical in-ear sensor Motion-detecting accelerometer Speech-detecting accelerometer Force sensor |
| Controls | Press once to play or pause media Press once to answer a call or mute or unmute Press once for camera remote Press twice to end a call Press twice to skip forward Press three times to skip back Press and hold to switch between listening modes Swipe up or down to adjust volume (AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case) Say “Hey Siri” or just “Siri” to do things like play a song, make a call, or get directions With Siri Interactions, nod your head yes or gently shake your head no when Siri asks if you want to answer an incoming call, hear a text message, manage notifications, and more |
| Materials | AirPods 5 are made with 40% recycled content, including: 100% recycled aluminum in the hinge of the case 100% recycled cobalt in the battery |
| Accessibility | Live Listen audio Headphone levels Headphone Accommodations |
| Charging Case | AirPods 5: Works with USB-C connector AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case: Works with USB-C connector, Apple Watch charger, or Qi-certified chargers |
| Case / Charging | Wireless charging (Apple Watch chargers, Qi, USB-C) |
| Case / Controls | Force sensor with volume swipe (Wireless Charging Case version) |
| Year Introduced | 2026 |
| Case / Materials | 70% recycled plastic |
| Noise Cancellation | Active Noise Cancellation in an open-ear design; removes up to 50% more external noise than AirPods 4 |
| Audio / Adaptive EQ | Next-generation Adaptive EQ |
| System Requirements | iPhone models with the latest version of iOS iPad models with the latest version of iPadOS Apple Watch models with the latest version of watchOS Mac models with the latest version of macOS Apple TV models with the latest version of tvOS Apple Vision Pro with the latest version of visionOS |
| Siri / Head Gestures | Nod or shake your head to respond to Siri |
| Audio / Spatial Audio | Personalized Spatial Audio (requires iPhone with TrueDepth camera) |
| Audio / Adaptive Audio | Blends Transparency and ANC dynamically |
| Audio / Transparency Mode | Improved Transparency mode |
| Audio / Conversation Awareness | Auto-lowers volume when you start speaking |
| Dust, Sweat, And Water Resistant | Dust, sweat, and water resistant (IP57) |
Evidence / qualification
Read the record
Specs not independently verifiedapple.com
- Source on record
- apple.com
The Apple AirPods 5 introduce an open-ear design with Active Noise Cancellation, offering a balance between comfort and noise reduction. The earbuds feature a custom high-excursion driver and a high dynamic range amplifier, delivering high-quality audio. The battery life is up to 4 hours with ANC enabled, and the charging case provides up to 22 hours of total battery life. The earbuds are dust, sweat, and water-resistant (IP57) and come with a range of accessibility features, including Live Listen and Personalized Spatial Audio. However, the battery life is relatively short compared to some competitors, and the earbuds are only compatible with Apple devices, limiting their appeal to non-Apple users.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Apple AirPods 5 for?↓
Apple AirPods 5 is a fit for apple device users seeking high-quality audio and noise cancellation and Individuals who prefer open-ear designs for comfort and situational awareness.
What are the drawbacks of Apple AirPods 5?↓
The trade-offs we record are: Battery life is relatively short at up to 4 hours with ANC enabled and Compatibility is limited to Apple devices only.
What does Apple AirPods 5 do well?↓
Custom high-excursion driver and high dynamic range amplifier for high-quality audio, Improved Transparency mode and Conversation Awareness for better situational awareness, Up to 22 hours of total battery life with the charging case and Dust, sweat, and water-resistant (IP57).
How much does Apple AirPods 5 cost?↓
$129, as recorded in this index. Prices move; check the retailer for the current figure.
Alternatives to consider
See all alternatives →- Another option Apple AirPods Pro 3
Offers up to 24 hours of listening time with the charging case.
Explore its evidenceDesign score 9.2/10 - Another option Sony WF-1000XM6
Bone-conduction voice sensing gives unusually clean call audio in noise
Explore its evidenceDesign score 9.3/10 - Another option Bose QuietComfort Ultra
Best sustained comfort in the category
Explore its evidenceDesign score 9.0/10
Continue the inquiry
Further reading
Featured badge
Building this product? Add the badge to your site to show it’s in the index.
<a href="https://fathomlayer.com/ecosystem/premium-audio/apple-airpods-5" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="https://fathomlayer.com/fathom-badge.svg" alt="Featured on Fathom Layer" width="250" height="54" /></a>