New Delhi: Apple’s fifth-generation AirPods have been out for about two weeks, and the early verdict is friendlier than you might expect for a product that looks identical to its predecessor.
Start with what didn’t change. The design and fit match the AirPods 4, so comfort carries over. What did change is the noise cancellation, and almost every reviewer leads with it. Apple used to keep ANC for the pricier AirPods 4 model. Now it’s on everything, starting at $129. A $149 version adds a wireless charging case, swipe controls on the stem and one more hour of battery.
Is the ANC actually good? For open-ear buds, yes. MacRumors, which spent a week with a pair, noticed a clear step up from the ANC AirPods 4 even without silicone tips. Cult of Mac went further and called the upgrade a no-brainer, even for people who own the AirPods 4. Apple’s own claim is “1.5x better” cancellation, and one reviewer said his testing backed that up.
Sound is where the praise gets more careful. MacRumors found the low mids muddier than on the AirPods Pro 3, though iOS 27’s custom EQ lets you adjust that. Another reviewer said sound gets muddy at higher volumes on older tracks. Fair enough. Nobody’s pretending these replace a pair of Pro earbuds.
Battery is the real complaint. The base model gets four hours with ANC on, the upgraded one five. Tom’s Guide called the battery life disappointing but said the sound, comfort and ANC make up for it.
A few details don’t line up across outlets. Tom’s Guide lists a lower starting price than Apple’s $129 figure, so check the store before you buy. Scores run from a five-star rave at Cult of Mac to a more measured 7.58 out of 10 at Recording Now.
My read: if you’re on an AirPods 4 without ANC, or on older AirPods and want cancellation without spending Pro money, these look like the easy pick. If you already have the ANC version of the AirPods 4, the gain is real but smaller, and the short battery life is the thing to weigh.
That’s a summary of what published reviews say, since I haven’t handled the earbuds myself, so I kept the voice out of first-person testing. I can add a byline or a different angle (buyer’s guide, AirPods 4 vs. 5) if you want one.
