Apple Lists AirPods 5 as Entry-Level Model
Apple's US store now shows AirPods 5 with Active Noise Cancellation starting at $129, and the AirPods 4 page redirects to it.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Artificial Intelligence
Live Poll
Would you buy new AirPods now, or wait for a discount on leftover stock?
Apple now lists AirPods 5 as its entry-level model, with Active Noise Cancellation starting at $129 for the USB-C charging case version. The apple.com/airpods-4 product page redirects to AirPods 5.
Why it matters
The change gives buyers a lower-priced noise-cancelling option than the AirPods 4 ANC model, which launched in September 2024 at $179. It also shows how Apple is reshaping its lineup across successive generations.
AirPods 5 with ANC costs $129 with the USB-C case and $149 with the wireless charging case, compared with $179 for the former AirPods 4 ANC model launched in September 2024. Apple's technical specifications show no heart rate sensing, Hearing Test, Hearing Aid or Hearing Protection on AirPods 5.
The players
Apple
Apple is the Cupertino-based technology company that designs and sells the AirPods line, along with iPhones, Macs and other consumer hardware.
The details
AirPods 5 includes the H2 chip and IP57 dust, sweat and water resistance, and both versions include Active Noise Cancellation. Apple's US store lists AirPods 5 as its entry-level model, and the change appears on product pages rather than in a standalone newsroom announcement. Pricing in Turkey was listed at SDN at 9,999 TL for AirPods 5 and 11,499 TL for the wireless charging case version.
Timeline
September 2024: AirPods 4 launched, with the ANC version at $179 and the basic model at $129.
November 8, 2026: Apple's US store listed AirPods 5 as the entry-level model with ANC at $129.
Roadmap
The H2 chip, which Apple used in its AirPods Pro 3, now appears in AirPods 5, extending premium-tier processing to the entry-level line. Apple's AirPods Pro 3 offers up to 3x more ANC and up to 8 hours of battery life, showing a clear performance gap between the two tiers.
Buyers who want Active Noise Cancellation can now start at $129 instead of $179, which lowers the cost of noise-cancelling earbuds for daily commuting and travel. The $149 wireless charging case version gives users a cordless charging option at a lower price than the former AirPods 4 ANC model.
The takeaway
When comparing earbuds, check the included charging case and the ANC specification, since pricing differences between generations can be significant. Confirm the feature set on the product page before buying, because the AirPods 5 listing does not include heart rate sensing or hearing health features.
Further reading
For broader coverage of how consumer hardware is evolving, see the Artificial Intelligence section.
More information
Apple's AirPods product page redirects to the AirPods 5 listing.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Teknoloji Haberleri - ShiftDelete.Net.
Live Poll
Would you buy new AirPods now, or wait for a discount on leftover stock?
