AirPods 5 bring ANC to $129, launch September 18

Apple announced the AirPods 5 at Apple Event 2026, bringing active noise cancellation to a lower $129 starting price. Preorders are open through Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart and Apple’s online store, with both versions scheduled to launch on September 18, 2026.

The standard AirPods 5 cost $129 and include ANC. That undercuts the previous pricing structure: active noise cancellation was previously limited to the $179 AirPods 4 with ANC. ANC is now available in Apple’s entry-level AirPods tier rather than only in the more expensive configuration.

A second version costs $149 and adds a wireless-charging case, longer battery life and touch controls on the earbud stem. Those controls let users adjust volume without reaching for a phone. Apple has not provided battery figures in the available announcement details, so the size of that improvement is not yet clear.

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The AirPods 5 will launch on September 18 alongside the Apple Watch Series 12, Apple Watch Ultra 4, iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. Apple’s available details establish pricing, the two configurations and the shipping date, but not the new earbuds' battery capacity, ANC performance or other audio specifications.

The $129 model provides ANC at the lower price, while the $149 model adds a wireless-charging case, longer battery life and stem-based volume controls. The more expensive version is available for preorder through Apple with its wireless-charging case.

Update, 13 September 2026 — Apple cites five-hour ANC battery life

TechRadar reports that Apple says the AirPods 5 provide up to five hours of playback per charge with active noise cancellation enabled. Apple also says a new acoustic architecture delivers 50% more noise reduction than AirPods 4, while describing the earbuds as having an open-ear design.

The company’s listed additions include richer sound, more dynamic personalized spatial audio, a more durable design, Live Translation and hands-free access to Siri AI. These are Apple’s stated product claims; the report does not provide independent testing or further technical specifications for the ANC or battery figures.

Update, 15 September 2026 — Base model rated for four ANC hours

MacRumors reports that the $129 AirPods 5 are rated for four hours of playback with ANC enabled, while the $149 Wireless Charging Case model is rated for five hours. The earlier update quoted Apple’s five-hour figure without separating the two configurations.

The hands-on also identifies an IP57 dust-and-water-resistance rating. Its testing found improved ANC over AirPods 4 with ANC, though it described sound as muddier than AirPods Pro 3 in the low-mid range.

Update, 18 September 2026 — Amazon lists AirPods 5 at $124.99

Mashable reports that Amazon has listed the new AirPods 5 for $124.99, a $4.01 discount from the $129 list price, on release day. The deal applies to the base pair with the USB-C wired charging case.

Mashable says that configuration is rated for up to four hours of listening with ANC per charge, or up to 20 hours with the case. The report describes the Amazon price as a 3% discount and does not indicate how long the listing will remain available.