Apple introduces AirPods 5 with open-ear active noise cancellation

Apple is taking another swing at the open-ear earbud market with AirPods 5, promising active noise cancellation without sealing the ear canal. The company says the new earbuds deliver best-in-class open-ear ANC, improved sound and a more comfortable fit for people who do not want silicone tips in their ears.

That is a tricky engineering brief. Open earbuds have to let the outside world in by design, so reducing unwanted noise without making the wearer feel cut off is a balancing act rather than a simple volume slider.

Open-ear ANC without the plug

Apple says AirPods 5 use a new open-ear design with active noise cancellation that can reduce background sound while preserving awareness of the surrounding environment. The earbuds sit outside the ear canal, which should make them more comfortable for listeners who dislike the sealed feeling of conventional in-ear models.

The company has also redesigned the acoustic system and says the earbuds deliver improved sound quality, clearer calls and better performance in busy environments. Those are Apple claims and will need listening tests, particularly because open-ear designs face obvious physical limits when competing with sealed in-ear earbuds.

AirPods 5 include a new low-distortion driver, according to Apple, alongside adaptive audio features that adjust the balance between noise cancellation and transparency. The aim is to make the earbuds useful on streets, in offices and during travel without forcing users to choose between music and awareness.

Health and everyday features

Apple says the earbuds include hearing-health features, including a hearing test and options intended to support users who experience changes in their hearing. Availability and regulatory support can vary by territory, so those functions should not be treated as identical worldwide until regional details are confirmed.

The charging case supports USB-C and wireless charging, while the earbuds are designed to work with Apple devices through the company’s usual pairing and ecosystem features. AirPods 5 also support hands-free Siri interactions and personalised audio settings through iOS.

Apple is positioning the new model as suitable for exercise and daily wear, with improved resistance to sweat and water. As ever, that does not mean the earbuds are indestructible or designed for swimming; the exact rating and use conditions matter more than the marketing shorthand.

Our opinion

Open-ear ANC is one of those ideas that sounds contradictory until you remember how many people want music without feeling socially marooned. If Apple has genuinely reduced background noise while keeping the comfort and awareness benefits of an open design, AirPods 5 could be a compelling alternative to silicone-tipped buds. But “best-in-class” still needs to survive a noisy train, a windy street and somebody eating crisps nearby.