{
  "id": 6451408,
  "title": "Apple shows off AirPods 5 with improved active noise cancellation",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/apple-shows-off-airpods-5-with-improved-active-noise-cancellation",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-09-09T18:06:40.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "TechCrunch",
    "slug": "techcrunch",
    "url": "https://techcrunch.com/2026/09/09/apple-shows-off-airpods-5-with-improved-active-noise-cancellation/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Apple unveiled the latest iteration of its wireless earbuds, the AirPods 5, on Wednesday, highlighting several enhancements such as upgraded audio quality, enhanced active noise cancellation, and expanded Siri and Apple Intelligence capabilities. The most significant upgrade is the active noise cancellation, which Apple claims can diminish background noise by 50% more than the previous AirPods generation, positioning them as the industry's top active noise cancellation in the company's view. CEO John Ternus expressed excitement about making this advanced feature standard across Apple's AirPods portfolio, emphasizing the brand's commitment to democratizing innovation. The AirPods 5 also incorporate volume control on the stem, a trait exclusive to the AirPods Pro lineup until now. With the H2 chip powering the device, users can engage in hands-free Siri and Apple Intelligence functionalities, enabling them to interact with Siri without needing to reach for their iPhone. This includes requesting information, performing actions, or obtaining directions, with the forthcoming iOS 27 beta Siri designed to better comprehend personal context, leveraging data from messages, emails, photos, and various apps for more pertinent responses and task completion. Furthermore, the improved Transparency mode enhances the user's awareness of ambient voices and sounds, while Adaptive Audio intelligently adjusts between noise cancellation and transparency mode based on the surrounding environment. Conversation Awareness smartly reduces media volume when the user starts speaking. Battery life has also seen an improvement, with the AirPods 5 delivering up to five hours of listening time with active noise cancellation on a single charge, and the charging case extending the total listening time to 22 hours with this feature enabled. Priced at $129 for the basic version and $149 for the model equipped with a Wireless Charging Case, pre-orders began today, with the earbuds set to launch on September 18.",
  "summary": "The AirPods 5 support better noise cancellation, Siri AI, and offer volume controls on the stem.",
  "key_points": [
    "AirPods 5 features upgraded active noise cancellation reducing background noise by 50%",
    "CEO John Ternus aims to standardize advanced features across AirPods lineup",
    "AirPods 5 introduces volume control on stem, exclusive to AirPods Pro until now"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "MacRumors",
        "title": "AirPods 5 Announced With Improved Noise Cancellation, Audio Quality, and More",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/airpods-5-announced-with-improved-noise-cancellation-audio-quality",
        "published": "2026-09-09T17:33:23.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "CNET",
        "title": "Apple Introduces New AirPods 5 With Improved Noise Canceling",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/apple-introduces-new-airpods-5-with-improved-noise-canceling",
        "published": "2026-09-09T17:50:23.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}