Apple's cheaper AirPods 5 have noise cancellation that's 'worth the upgrade'
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that → have → cancellation
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journalism → support → readers
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we → purchase → commission
Apple has just released its latest in-ear headphones, the AirPods 5.
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Apple → release → headphones
When most gadgets are soaring in cost, Apple has actually reduced the price of its new AirPods by £5 – and new features have even been added.
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features → soar → 5
There’s no Pro in the name here, but you might be forgiven if you were confused.
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you → ’ → name
This is the first time that entry-level AirPods have had active noise-cancelling (ANC) built in.
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AirPods → have → cancelling
Apple says the new models have the best ANC of any earbuds with an open-ear design.
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models → say → design
The previous release, AirPods 4, came in September 2024 with two versions: an entry-level one without ANC and a pricier one with ANC and a wireless charging case.
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release → come → ANC
The more expensive model has a bigger price drop, costing £40 less than the equivalent top-tier version last time (a drop from £179 to £139).
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model → have → 139
The entry-level version, £129 previously without ANC, costs £119 now.
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version → cost → 119
How I tested
AirPods are in their fifth generation, so they are familiar to most people now.
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they → test → people
I’ve checked the set-up is as easy as ever, looked at any changes in the design, and tested the fit in the ear for stability as well as sound quality.
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I → check → stability
I listened to the audio with ANC on and off and compared it to AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 3.
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I → listen → AirPods
I checked features like transparency mode.
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I → check → mode
I listened to the new Adaptive EQ and the Live Translation capability – and I noted whether they lived up to Apple’s improved battery claims.
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they → listen → claims
☆
What we love: Better value than ever, ANC on entry-level model, and best sound on AirPods yet
Take note: Still the same H2 chip, and the design is mostly unchanged
Design
The new model looks identical to the AirPods 4 – albeit with unseen design changes.
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model → love → changes
Both feature the same open-ear fit, unlike the noise isolation ear tips found on the Pro models.
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Both → feature → models
The benefit of the more open fit is that there’s no pressure in the ears, but the lack of seal means more of the outside world seeps in.
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lack → ’ → world
This is where ANC – which Apple says is 1.5 times better than on the AirPods 4 – comes in.
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Apple → say → AirPods
The design remains attractive and appealing.
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design → remain → ?
The short stem protrudes less, and fits comfortably but securely in the ears (there’s no risk of the earbuds falling out while jogging).
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earbuds → protrude → ears
The AirPods 4 introduced a flat side to the earbud’s stem, so you can play or pause music with one press on the force sensor or press and hold to invoke the Siri personal assistant.
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you → introduce → assistant
This control system continues here.
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system → continue → ?
But if you opt for the more expensive model, the stem has an extra function: you can change the volume by swiping up or down on the stem.
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you → opt → stem
Another hidden change is the dust- and water-resistance.
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change → hide → ?
On AirPods 4, this was IP54, which means that it will keep out most dust but is only splash-resistant.
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it → mean → dust
Both versions of AirPods 5 boast IP57.
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versions → boast → IP57
That’s the same dust protection, but the buds can now survive being immersed in water up to 1 metre deep for half an hour.
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buds → ’ → hour
At the exact moment when you drop your AirPods in the sink, you will feel this is a useful upgrade.
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this → drop → sink
Another convenience is Find My, which means you can locate the AirPods 5 case if you misplace it.
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you → find → it
A speaker on the case can emit a sound to help you, but this feature is only for the wireless case.
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feature → emit → case
The wireless case supports wireless charging on any Qi-compatible charging pad or even the Apple Watch charging puck, plus USB-C wired charging.
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case → support → pad
This time, it’s a different story.
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it → ’ → ?
Every Apple AirPods now has ANC built-in, and the company says it now keeps 1.5 times more noise at bay than the last model.
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it → have → model
I’ve been comparing the previous and current versions, and the improvement is palpable.
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improvement → compare → versions
While it’s not as good as that on AirPods Pro 3, which benefit from those noise-isolating ear tips, it’s better than on open-ear buds I’ve tested from any rival brand.
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I → ’ → brand
Apple says it’s improved the Transparency mode, too.
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it → say → mode
That’s where the earbud microphones deliberately let in outside noise so you can hear when someone’s talking to you.
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someone → ’ → you
This capability was always good, though it’s enhanced here with a more natural rather than amplified effect.
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it → enhance → effect
…and 24 more, not listed.
The Aporia
