Apple announced AirPods 5, a new open-ear model, on September 9. The headline change is that Active Noise Cancellation now removes up to 50 percent more noise than before, without giving up the open-ear shape that leaves the ear canal unsealed. The standard model costs 23,800 yen including tax, and the version with a Wireless Charging Case costs 27,800 yen including tax. Pre-orders opened September 9, with retail availability starting September 18[1].

Removing 50 Percent More Noise Without Sealing the Ear

Open-ear earbuds are light to wear and easy to keep on for hours because they do not seal the ear canal, but that same design lets outside sound straight in. It is a shape that works against ANC, and it has never cancelled noise as effectively as a sealed design.

AirPods 5 bring an all-new multiport acoustic architecture and improved computational audio algorithms to that problem. Apple says the result removes up to 50 percent more noise than AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation. The figure comes from testing conducted in July 2026 in accordance with IEC 60268-24, using AirPods 5 paired with iPhone 17, and compared against the bestselling wireless open-ear headphones on sale at the time[1].

The work is not limited to blocking sound. Transparency mode now reproduces voices and nearby sounds more naturally, and Adaptive Audio still blends Transparency and ANC dynamically based on the surrounding environment, while Conversation Awareness lowers media volume when the wearer starts speaking[1].

Sound Design Inherited From AirPods Pro 3

On audio quality, Apple describes AirPods 5 as taking cues from the higher-end AirPods Pro 3. The multiport acoustic architecture is paired with next-generation Adaptive EQ, aiming for sound that holds together across a wide range of ear shapes[1].

Open-ear designs shift position easily, and bass response varies considerably from person to person as a result. Tuning the equalizer to the fit is a direct answer to that weakness. Personalized Spatial Audio also becomes more immersive and dynamic[1].

Hands-Free Siri AI and Live Translation

Paired with an Apple Intelligence-supported iPhone, AirPods 5 can call up Siri AI hands-free. Siri AI, rolling out in beta with iOS 27, is an assistant that draws on personal context across messages, emails, and photos, and can take actions in apps. Apple cites examples such as playing a song a friend recommended in a message, or pulling up a dinner reservation buried in an email[1].

The way you answer changes too. Nodding means yes and shaking your head means no, so Siri can be used in situations where speaking aloud is awkward. Live Translation launches by pressing both stems at once, by saying "Hey Siri, start Live Translation," or through the Action button on iPhone, and the feature is now available across the entire AirPods lineup[1].

The timing deserves attention, though. Apple Intelligence becomes available with iOS 27 on September 15, but Siri AI arrives the same day only as a beta, and only in English at first. Japanese support is scheduled for October[1]. Users in Japan will not have full access to Siri AI the moment the product ships.

What the 4,000 Yen Wireless Charging Case Model Adds

AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case is clearly separated from the standard model. A force sensor with volume swipe arrives for the first time in this open-ear form factor, letting you change volume by swiping up or down on the stem[1].

The battery was redesigned as well, delivering up to five hours of playback with ANC on a single charge, one hour longer than AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation. With the charging case, that extends to up to 22 hours with ANC on, and the case works with Apple Watch chargers, Qi-compatible chargers, and USB-C[1].

On the environmental side, the product is made with 40 percent recycled material overall, including 70 percent recycled plastic in the wireless charging case and 100 percent recycled cobalt in the battery. Manufacturing runs on 35 percent renewable energy across the supply chain[1].

Pricing and Availability

Pre-orders opened September 9 in more than 65 countries and regions including Japan and the United States, with retail availability on Friday, September 18. The standard model is 23,800 yen including tax, and the Wireless Charging Case model is 27,800 yen including tax[1]. In the United States, the prices are 129 USD (about 20,000 yen) and 149 USD (about 23,000 yen), which leaves a gap against the tax-inclusive Japanese pricing[2].

※1 USD = 154 JPY (as of September 9, 2026)

Dust, sweat, and water resistance are also improved over previous models, reflecting a design built around daily carry[1].

Summary

AirPods 5 comes down to a single question: how far can Active Noise Cancellation, long the territory of sealed designs, be pushed while keeping the comfort of an open-ear fit. Whether up to 50 percent more noise reduction translates into a meaningful difference on a commuter train or in a cafe will have to wait for hardware in hand, but Apple has packed a lot into a 23,800 yen product. On the other hand, Japanese-language Siri AI does not arrive until October, so anyone buying specifically for that feature may want to wait.

Source [1]: Apple Newsroom (Japan)

Source [2]: Apple Newsroom (U.S.)