AirPods 5 Officially Launched: Affordable ANC, Battery Is the Weak Point

Apple has officially launched the AirPods 5 with a starting price of 129 US dollars, bringing Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) as standard on both variants. The move lowers the entry threshold for Apple's noise-cancelling technology by 50 US dollars compared with the AirPods 4 with ANC, which was priced at 179 US dollars at launch. The decision marks a shift in Apple's strategy, which typically keeps premium pricing for new features.

The 149 US dollar variant adds a wireless charging case, a volume slider control on the stem, a Find My speaker, and an extra hour of battery life. In terms of design, the earbuds' shape is unchanged from the previous generation—still 4.3 grams per unit—so users hoping for ergonomic refinements will have to hold off on those expectations. The case weighs 34.7 grams, lighter than the AirPods Pro case, though it lacks a lanyard loop.

In a week of testing, including long flights and outdoor activities, ANC proved the most prominent advantage. Apple claims it can cancel up to 50% more noise than the AirPods 4 with ANC, and the "best in the industry" claim applies to the open-ear category. Without silicone eartips, the noise reduction relies on audio computation rather than a physical seal. As a result, continuous sounds such as air conditioning and street rumble are filtered out convincingly enough, but airplane engine noise still gets through—a limitation rarely encountered on the AirPods Pro 3.

Battery life is the main criticism. With ANC on, the 129 US dollar variant lasts only 4 hours, while the 149 US dollar variant lasts about 5 hours. These figures are far below the AirPods Pro 3, which manages 8 hours with ANC. For long-haul flights or all-day work sessions, users will often have to rely on the charging case. A 5-minute charge in the case provides about an extra hour of listening.

Sound quality is generally improved over the AirPods 4, especially with weightier bass and decent instrument separation. However, for speech content such as podcasts and videos, vocals sound flat and lose the modulation that brings a speaker's character to life. Spatial Audio is also weaker than on the AirPods Pro 3, and complex tracks can sound muddy. At the same volume, the AirPods 5 sound quieter, so users tend to turn up the volume—which means more sound leaks to the surroundings because there is no seal.

"This is the best noise cancellation I've ever heard from earbuds at this price range, and there's no physical seal doing the work," the reviewer wrote in the original article.

Software features are a plus. iOS 27 brings a three-band equalizer to AirPods with the H2 chip, including the AirPods 5—the first time Apple has allowed audio adjustment. Live Translation is available, but it is too slow for real-time conversation and requires an iPhone with Apple Intelligence. Head gesture controls and hands-free Siri work on all models. Call quality is rated very good, with adequate voice isolation.

In the Indonesian market, the AirPods 5 could expand the premium TWS user base. Official domestic pricing has not been announced, but with a 20 US dollar gap between the two variants, the 149 US dollar model is the most sensible choice. Users who want maximum noise cancellation for air travel should still consider the AirPods Pro 3, while the AirPods 5 suits those who prioritize comfort without eartips and want to stay aware of their surroundings while active outdoors.

Apple appears to want to make ANC a mass-market feature rather than an exclusive one. However, with limited battery life and the absence of Pro health features, the question is: will Indonesian consumers be tempted by the friendlier price, or will they keep saving for the more complete AirPods Pro 3?