AirPods 5 Review: Apple Lowers Prices and Upgrades ANC

Apple has officially unveiled its new AirPods 5 lineup across two tiers, introducing enhanced audio features and active noise cancellation (ANC) at aggressive price reductions compared to previous generations. The base model is now offered at $129, a sharp decline from the prior $179 price point for ANC-capable models, while the step-up edition is priced at $149. Both models incorporate an upgraded acoustic architecture and active noise cancelling that Apple claims is 50% more effective, powered by the H2 processor. The step-up tier differentiates itself by incorporating wireless charging capabilities, stem-based swipe volume controls, and improved battery life providing up to 5 hours with ANC enabled and 7 hours with ANC turned off, compared to 4 hours and 6 hours respectively on the base variant. By lowering the entry price for active noise cancellation hardware, Apple aims to stimulate upgrade cycles and expand unit volume in its Wearables, Home, and Accessories segment, supporting hardware revenue and strengthening device ecosystem stickiness.