AirPods 5 Replace AirPods 4 With ANC From $129
Apple's entry level AirPods now start at $129 with ANC on both models, and the AirPods 4 page redirects. How much cheaper is the wireless case version?
Hakkı ALKANPublished 2 min read
Apple's US store now lists AirPods 5 as its entry level model, and the old AirPods 4 page redirects to it. Both versions include Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), with prices from $129, according to Apple's product page.
The AirPods 5 lineup has two versions. One has a USB-C charging case at $129, and the other has a Wireless Charging Case at $149. Apple says the new generation delivers up to 1.5x more ANC than before. It also adds a redesigned acoustic architecture, the H2 chip and IP57 dust, sweat and water resistance.
What Changed With AirPods 5 on Apple's Site?
The older model no longer has its own page, because apple.com/airpods-4 now sends visitors to AirPods 5. We could not find a separate Apple Newsroom press release. As a result, the change shows up on the product pages rather than in a standalone announcement.
In addition, Apple lists Adaptive Audio, Transparency, Conversation Awareness, Voice Isolation and Live Translation. It also lists "Siri AI", which Apple says is rolling out in English with usage limits. For example, our coverage of Siri's direction is in our report on Apple's agentic Siri plans.
How Do the Prices Compare With AirPods 4?
When Apple launched AirPods 4 in September 2024, the ANC version cost $179 and the basic model $129. Now ANC comes standard at $129, which is $50 less than the old ANC model. Meanwhile, the Wireless Charging Case version at $149 is $30 less.
In Turkey, SDN lists the two models at 9,999 TL and 11,499 TL, as we noted during Apple's week in Turkey. However, retailer stock of the older model may still vary, so you should check the product name before buying.
What Do AirPods 5 Leave Out?
Apple's technical specifications show no heart rate sensing, Hearing Test, Hearing Aid or Hearing Protection. Apple keeps those features on AirPods Pro 3. Also, it says that model offers up to 3x more ANC and up to 8 hours of battery life.
| Model | Price | Battery with ANC | With case |
|---|---|---|---|
| USB-C case | $129 | Up to 4 hours | Up to 20 hours |
| Wireless Charging Case | $149 | Up to 5 hours | Up to 22 hours |
Our Take
Apple has made ANC the default in its cheapest tier. Therefore, AirPods 5 is an easier recommendation than the old lineup. However, the real question is the case, because $20 more buys one extra hour of battery, volume swipe, wireless charging and a Find My speaker.
Overall, unless a retailer heavily discounts leftover stock, waiting makes little sense. For more on Apple's hardware, read our iPhone 18 X-ray report.