AirPods 5 pre-orders continue as Apple lowers the cost of open-ear ANC

AirPods 5 remain in pre-order ahead of their September 18 availability. Apple has priced the range from $129, with a $149 version adding features such as wireless charging, longer battery capability and stem-based volume controls. Active noise cancellation is becoming more accessible within Apple's open-ear lineup, with the company claiming a substantial improvement in noise reduction compared with the previous generation. The significance extends beyond audio quality.

Wireless earbuds increasingly function as an interface to the broader mobile ecosystem, providing microphones and audio output for voice assistants without requiring users to take out their phones. As Siri AI becomes more contextual, products such as AirPods could become an important way of interacting with AI throughout the day. The challenge is battery life and reliability: an assistant is only useful if the earbuds remain comfortable, connected and available when needed.