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AirPods 5 · Timing

AirPods 5 could come in two tiers rather than one model

Gurman reports Apple is developing AirPods 5 in two tiers rather than a single model, splitting the line between an entry-level and a step-up pair.

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AirPods 5 Guide

What to know

What to know

Apple's AirPods 5 would come in two versions, one with active noise cancellation and one without, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported in August 2026. Noise cancellation uses microphones to block outside sound.

MacRumors found code in macOS 26.7, Apple's Mac software, that mentioned two unreleased models with the code names B868M and B868E. That matches the split Apple used for AirPods 4.

The two versions went on sale after Apple's September event. Gizmodo tried both and found that both have noise cancellation.

What this is made of

What this is made of

  • AirPods 5 could arrive at Apple's September event

    Bloomberg reported AirPods 5 could arrive as soon as Apple's September event, and they did. Apple announced both models on September 9, opened pre-orders the same day and puts them in stores on September 18.

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How we know this

How we know this

What changed, newest first.

OutcomeRightIt turned out as reported.
Inside Apple's Pivot From a 'Vision Air' Headset to Meta-Like Smart GlassesBloomberg · Oct 12, 2025 · confirms this
Apple could debut two AirPods 5 models next month, per report9to5Mac · Aug 25, 2026 · reports this · via Mark Gurman
New Mac mini days away, OLED iPad mini in October, AirPods 5 in 2026AppleInsider · Aug 25, 2026 · reports this
Unreleased AirPods 5 Models Referenced in macOS 26.7MacRumors · Aug 18, 2026 · reports this
AirPods 5 Hands-On: Better Than ANC AirPods 4 in Every Way and Now $30 CheaperGizmodo · Sep 10, 2026 · covers this

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