Apple’s new ANC AirPods cost $80 less than the previous model

Apple has a new pair of cheaper noise-cancelling earbuds coming soon, with the AirPods 5 joining the new iPhone 18 Pro range and the foldable iPhone Duo.

Although Apple refers to the AirPods 5 as “open-ear”, they’re not open-ear headphones in the traditional sense. Instead, when compared to the AirPods Pro 3, they don’t have an ear tip that penetrates the ear canal. So, you still put the AirPods 5 in your ears, but they don’t form a tight seal that closes everything else off.

It’s why the AirPods 4 were so impressive when they launched in 2024. Despite the comparatively open design, they produced decent — if imperfect — noise cancellation. With the AirPods 5, Apple claims it has improved ANC performance by 50 per cent, blocking out more external noise.

Image: Apple.

Unlike most devices in 2026, the AirPods 5 are cheaper than the previous model. In Australia, Apple’s new buds cost $219, an $80 drop compared to the AirPods 4. When Apple launched the AirPods 4 in 2024, it segmented them into two models: a $219 variant without ANC, and a $299 ANC-equipped model.

This time around, Apple’s segmentation works a bit differently. Alongside the $219 AirPods 5 model is a $249 version with a wireless charging case, a longer-lasting battery, and on-bud swipe controls. It’s a curious way to offer two separate models that are otherwise functionally identical.

Across both models, Apple reworked the design to improve audio quality, including an EQ that adjusts to different ear shapes. Apple also claims the AirPods 5 have a “more natural Transparency mode” that aims to accurately reproduce nearby voices and sounds.

When paired with a compatible iPhone, the new AirPods can tap into the conversational Siri AI assistant as part of the major iOS 27 update. According to Apple, this means more hands-free functions, like real-time translations, asking for booking details buried in your emails, and more accurate dictation.

Australian AirPods 5 price and release date

Launching alongside the iPhone 18 Pro range on 18 September, AirPods 5 pre-orders begin today.

• Base model: $219
• Wireless charging case model: $249

To remove any doubt: both models include a charging case. The main difference is that one comes with a wireless charging-compatible case and includes on-device swipe controls.

Image: Apple.

A cheaper pair of noise-cancelling AirPods might not have been on many people’s bingo cards, but it’s welcome news all the same.

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