AirPods 5 batteries can finally be replaced, iFixit's teardown finds
A worn battery no longer has to mean new earbuds, but the swap is a technician's job and the charging case still can't be opened without breaking it.
Runner-up: Best noise cancelling earbuds
Runner-up: Best noise cancelling earbuds
AirPods 5Release Date, Price & What Changed vs AirPods 4
Ask about the AirPods 5
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Released Guide updated
Apple announced AirPods 5 on 9 September 2026, opened pre-orders the same day and put both models in stores on 18 September. Both carry Active Noise Cancellation, which Apple rates at up to 1.5x the AirPods 4 ANC model and calls the best in an open-ear design. The $129 pair ships with a USB-C case and runs 4 hours with ANC on.
Where it shines
AirPods 4 vs AirPods 5
AirPods 4
Sep 2024
AirPods 5
Sep 2026Comparison
Compare earbudsHow it compares
Price
$129
What it costs to buy. None of these need a subscription.
Weight
4.3g
Grams in your ears. Lower is lighter.
Battery life
4 hrs
How long it lasts on its own, away from a charger.
Price
AirPods 5$129
AirPods 4$129
Pixel Buds 2a$129
Galaxy Buds4$179.99Current list prices.
One earbud, not the pair, and not the case.
Hours on one charge with noise cancelling on, where that figure is officially stated; otherwise the official headline figure. Prices are each product's lowest version. Battery life varies with use, settings and firmware.
If not this one
- If comfort and fit decides itsoundcore AeroClip
It clips outside the ear with an open ring, so nothing presses into the ear canal, at 6.0 grams per earbud.
- If battery life decides itOnePlus Buds 4
11 hours per charge and 45 with the case with noise cancelling off, and 11 hours from a 10-minute charge.
- If workouts decides itShokz OpenFit Air 2
Pressure-sensitive buttons ignore sweat, water and hair, and the IP55 rating keeps them going through rain.
Release dates
An average of 892 days between updates.AirPods: Release Dates by Generation
ShippedExpected
An average of 892 days between updates.
| Generation | On sale | Gap |
|---|---|---|
| AirPods (3rd generation) | Oct 26, 2021 | 951 days since AirPods (2nd generation) |
| AirPods 4 | Sep 20, 2024 | 1060 days |
| AirPods 5 | Sep 18, 2026 | 728 days |
Shows the latest 3 of 5 models. The first one shipped in 2016.
Show all 5 modelsShow fewer
| Generation | On sale | Gap |
|---|---|---|
| AirPods 5 | Sep 18, 2026 | 728 days |
| AirPods 4 | Sep 20, 2024 | 1060 days |
| AirPods (3rd generation) | Oct 26, 2021 | 951 days |
| AirPods (2nd generation) | Mar 20, 2019 | 827 days |
| AirPods (1st generation) | Dec 13, 2016 | first |
Quick answers
All FAQsQuick answers
How much do AirPods 5 cost?
$129 for AirPods 5 with the USB-C charging case, and $149 for AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case, which adds the on-stem volume swipe and an extra hour of playback. Both are US prices announced by Apple on 9 September 2026.
Should I buy the AirPods 5?
No reason to wait, and no deal to chase. The AirPods 5 came out Sep 18, 2026, and its best price today is $129 at Amazon. For a model this new, we'd buy it if you want it rather than wait for a drop. Price checked Nov. 5, 2026. See the full answer on the Apple AirPods 5
Is the AirPods 5 worth it for AirPods 4 owners?
Keep what you have. Too little changed from the AirPods 4 to justify the cost. Of the changes listed here, 3 are improvements. It is $129 at Amazon, price checked Nov. 5, 2026. See the full answer on the Apple AirPods 5 for AirPods 4 owners
This review has no score, so there is no average yet. It takes two scored reviews from two different publishers.
1 expert review, none with a score
- Read reviewSoundGuysChristian ThomasSep 22, 2026
Sep 7, 2016 · Origin
Apple introduces AirPods
Dec 13, 2016 · Shipped
AirPods go on sale
Mar 20, 2019 · Generation 2
Second-generation AirPods arrive
Oct 18, 2021 · Generation 3
AirPods 3 add a new design and spatial audio
Sep 9, 2024 · Generation 4
AirPods 4 split the line into two tiers
Sep 20, 2024 · Shipped
AirPods 4 reach stores
Jun 9, 2025 · Software
Apple previews new AirPods 4 recording controls
Sep 15, 2025 · Software
iOS 26 AirPods features ship
Oct 12, 2025 · Reported
AirPods 5 and H3 development are reported
Nov 4, 2025 · Software
Live Translation expands for current AirPods
Jun 8, 2026 · Software
Apple previews custom EQ for AirPods
Aug 18, 2026 · Code
AirPods 5 identifiers appear in macOS 26.7
Aug 19, 2026 · Clarification
Camera-equipped AirPods move to 2027
Aug 24, 2026 · Reported
AirPods 5 is reported for the September event
Aug 25, 2026 · Estimate
Pricing forecast centers on the current $129/$179 tiers
Aug 26, 2026 · Event
Apple schedules its September event
Aug 30, 2026 · Reported
September AirPods 5 timing is reiterated
Sep 2, 2026 · Status
Feature details remain scarce days before the event
Sep 9, 2026 · Announced
Apple announces AirPods 5, and both models cancel noise
Reveal to on sale
How long after the reveal can you actually buy one?
AirPods (1st gen)97 days
AirPods (2nd gen)same day
AirPods (3rd gen)8 days
AirPods 411 days
AirPods 59 days
One of the five went on sale the day it was revealed. Three more went on sale 8 to 11 days after being revealed. AirPods (1st generation) is the exception, at 97 days.
At a glance
CURRENT MODELAirPods 5PREVIOUS MODELAirPods 4Noise cancellation
Earbud battery
Price
The starting list price, not a temporary sale price. It is usually the first thing that rules a product in or out.
From $129
$89 (regularly $129)
Show 4 more specs⌄
Case battery
The case is what gets you through a week without a charger.
Cameras
Camera hardware changes what you can capture and which visual features are possible.
No
No
Health tracking
The useful health features vary a lot even between similar-looking devices.
None
None
Technical specs⌄
Connectivity
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and other connections determine what the device can work with.
Visual AI
AI features vary from simple voice help to camera-based assistants.
No
No
Status light
A status light is how you know the battery level or pairing state without a phone.
No
No
Controls
Taps, head nods, eye and hand tracking suit very different situations.
Battery
More time between charges usually makes a wearable easier to live with.
5 hrs / 4 hrs ANC on
Apple
Fine to buy.
It's new and prices rarely drop this early, so buy it if you want it.
AirPods 5
Where to buy
Price history
On sale since Sep 18, and no new model is close. Buy it if you want it.
- Last 30 days
- No change$129 since Oct 7
- Stores we check
- 4Amazon is cheapest
- Lowest known
- $124.99Sep 15, 2026, from older published history
- Price checks
- 71 over 31 days
Returns and warranty
Returns and warranty details
Returns
Warranty
Covered
Not covered
Good to know
What's in the box
What comes in the box with the AirPods 5?
Some things change with the version you buy. Here is what you get. No USB-C charge cable. No power adapter.
AirPods 5 earbuds
DocumentationPlus one of these, based on the version you pick
Charging Case with USB-C connectorStandardWireless Charging Case with USB-C connector and speakerWireless Charging CaseNot in the box
USB-C charge cableNot in the box
Power adapterNot in the boxOther models to consider
Frequently asked questions
Questions about AirPods 5
Top questions
How much do AirPods 5 cost?
$129 for AirPods 5 with the USB-C charging case, and $149 for AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case, which adds the on-stem volume swipe and an extra hour of playback. Both are US prices announced by Apple on 9 September 2026.
Should I buy the AirPods 5?
No reason to wait, and no deal to chase. The AirPods 5 came out Sep 18, 2026, and its best price today is $129 at Amazon. For a model this new, we'd buy it if you want it rather than wait for a drop. Price checked Nov. 5, 2026. See the full answer on the Apple AirPods 5
Is the AirPods 5 worth it for AirPods 4 owners?
Keep what you have. Too little changed from the AirPods 4 to justify the cost. Of the changes listed here, 3 are improvements. It is $129 at Amazon, price checked Nov. 5, 2026. See the full answer on the Apple AirPods 5 for AirPods 4 owners
Do the AirPods 5 come with a charger?
No. The box has a charging case, but no charging cable and no power adapter.
Do both AirPods 5 models have noise cancellation?
Yes. Both AirPods 5 models include Active Noise Cancellation. Apple rates it at up to 1.5x more than AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation, and calls it the best Active Noise Cancellation in an open-ear design.
What is the difference between the two AirPods 5 models?
The case and the controls. The $129 model charges over USB-C only. The $149 Wireless Charging Case model also charges from an Apple Watch charger or a Qi pad, carries a speaker for Find My, adds a force sensor with volume swipe, and runs 5 hours with ANC against 4, or 22 hours with the case against 20.
What chip is in AirPods 5?
The H2, the same headphone chip used in recent AirPods models. Mark Gurman reported in October 2025 that Apple is developing a new H3 chip, but he did not say which future AirPods model would get it first.
How long do AirPods 5 last on a charge?
Up to 4 hours with ANC on for the $129 model and up to 20 hours with its case. The $149 Wireless Charging Case model runs up to 5 hours and up to 22 hours with the case. Five minutes in either case gives around an hour.
Are AirPods 5 water resistant?
They are rated IP57 for dust, sweat and water. That covers sweat, rain and a brief dunk, not a swim.
Do AirPods 5 have cameras?
No. Apple's September 9, 2026 announcement introduced AirPods 5, with no cameras. A separate camera-equipped AirPods project exists, but MacRumors reports it isn't coming out until 2027.
Do AirPods 5 track heart rate?
No. Heart-rate sensing stays on AirPods Pro 3. The AirPods 5 sensor list is microphones, an optical in-ear sensor, two accelerometers and a force sensor.
Do AirPods 5 translate a conversation?
Yes. Apple says Live Translation is now available across the entire AirPods lineup, enabled by ANC and computational audio. It needs Apple Intelligence turned on and is not available in every language or region.
What happens to AirPods Max now that AirPods 5 is out?
Nothing announced. Apple introduced AirPods Max 2 in March 2026 and did not mention it on 9 September. AirPods 5 is a refresh of the standard earbud line only.
Using it
Does it have noise cancelling?
Yes, it cancels noise.
What does it cost?
It costs $129 to $149. That is the list price, before any subscription.
Does it work with my phone?
It works fully with an iPhone and partly with Android. It pairs with Android, but the app and the iPhone-only features are not there.
How heavy is it?
It weighs 4.3g.
How does it connect?
It connects over Bluetooth.
What chip is inside?
It runs on H2.
Does it do spatial audio?
Yes, it does spatial audio. It tracks your head, so the sound stays put when you turn.
Battery and charging
How long does the battery last?
It runs 20 hours with the case and noise cancelling on. That is 4 hours of listening with noise cancelling on, and 5 hours, measured on listening anc on wireless case.
Water
Can it get wet (shower, pool, swimming)?
Yes, it survives a shower and a soaking. Its rating is IP57. It holds up for thirty minutes at one metre. Swimming laps and diving need a different rating, and it does not carry one.
Price and models
When did the AirPods 5 come out?
It went on sale September 18, 2026. Announced September 9, 2026.
Is there a newer one?
No. The AirPods 5 is the current model.
Returns and warranty
In the box
Works with
Reviewers agree the $149 AirPods 5 is the one to buy
Spend the extra $20. The wireless-case model gets swipe volume and more battery, and battery life is the complaint that follows the AirPods 5 through every review.
Noise cancellation is now standard on the $129 AirPods 5
Upgrading from AirPods 4 with noise cancellation buys you very little. Coming from anything older, the $129 model is the cheapest good AirPods Apple has sold.
The cheaper AirPods 5 matches the battery of the pair it replaces
Only the $149 AirPods 5 beats AirPods 4 with ANC on every line. The $129 model carries the same two battery ratings and a case with no wireless charging and no Find My speaker.
AirPods 5 are rated IP57 for water and dust, like the Pro 3
IP57 puts a $129 pair of open-ear AirPods on the same water rating as the $249 Pro 3.
Apple moved the AirPods upsell from noise cancellation to the case
Open-ear noise cancellation used to cost $179. It's $129 now, and the $20 step up buys a case that charges on an Apple Watch puck.
AirPods 5 arrive with better noise cancellation and no cameras
The camera AirPods were on Apple's schedule for this stage and are now a 2027 product, which leaves a $129 pair of tipless earbuds carrying the entry line for another year.
Apple's cheap AirPods arrive next month, in two versions
Noise cancellation is reaching Apple's entry-level earbuds a year earlier than the reporting expected. The camera pair is still next year.
Custom EQ is coming to four AirPods models
Apple’s fifth AirPods beta firmware, build 9A5347a, goes to every H2 model. Custom EQ and a new interface arrive with iOS 27.
The AirPods 5 codenames leaked out of macOS 26.7
B868M and B868E sit one increment above the shipping AirPods 4, splitting the next generation into a plain pair and one with active noise cancellation. No date came with them.
AirPods Have the Most to Gain From a Smarter Siri
The new Siri runs on Google's Gemini and ships with iOS 27 this fall. AirPods benefit most because voice is their only interface.