Apple AirPods 5 Launched in India: Price, Features, ANC, Battery and Live Translation
Apple has launched the AirPods 5 with active noise cancellation in an open-ear design, improved audio, hands-free Siri AI and Live Translation. In India, prices start at ₹14,900, while the version with a wireless charging case costs ₹17,900.
Apple has expanded its AirPods lineup with the new AirPods 5, bringing several upgrades to its more affordable open-ear earbuds. The biggest addition is Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), which Apple says can block up to 1.5 times more noise than the previous AirPods 4 with ANC.
The new AirPods were announced alongside Apple’s latest September product lineup and are positioned as a more affordable way to get features such as ANC, Siri AI and Live Translation without moving to the Pro range.
Apple AirPods 5 Price in India
The standard AirPods 5 are priced at ₹14,900 in India. The higher-end version, called AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case, costs ₹17,900.
| Model | India Price |
| AirPods 5 | ₹14,900 |
| AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case | ₹17,900 |
Apple has opened pre-orders, with the AirPods 5 scheduled to become available from September 18, 2026.
Interestingly, the US starting price is $129 for the standard model and $149 for the wireless charging version. The wireless charging variant is also positioned as a more affordable option compared with the previous generation’s equivalent offering.
AirPods 5 Bring ANC to an Open-Ear Design
The biggest highlight of the new AirPods is Active Noise Cancellation in an open-ear design.
Unlike traditional in-ear earbuds that use silicone tips to create a seal inside the ear canal, the AirPods 5 retain Apple’s open-ear approach.
Apple says the new earbuds can remove up to 50% more external noise compared with AirPods 4 with ANC, thanks to redesigned acoustic architecture and improved computational audio.
Apple also says the AirPods 5 deliver the industry’s best ANC performance among open-ear designs.
This could make them particularly attractive to people who prefer the less intrusive feel of open earbuds but still want some level of noise cancellation.
Redesigned Acoustic Architecture for Better Sound
Apple has redesigned the internal acoustic system of the AirPods 5.
The earbuds use a new multiport acoustic architecture alongside next-generation Adaptive EQ. According to Apple, the combination is designed to provide greater depth, clarity and detail.
The earbuds also support Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking, creating a three-dimensional audio experience for compatible music, movies and games.
The H2 chip powers several of the AirPods 5’s intelligent audio features.
Siri AI Comes to AirPods 5
Apple is also using the AirPods 5 as a way to make its newer AI capabilities more accessible.
With a compatible iPhone, users can access Siri AI hands-free through the earbuds. Apple says the updated Siri experience can use personal context to provide more personalised assistance.
Users can also interact with Siri using head gestures. For example, Apple says users can respond by nodding or shaking their head, allowing certain interactions without speaking or touching the phone.
This makes the AirPods 5 more than just an audio accessory, particularly as Apple continues integrating Apple Intelligence into its devices.
Live Translation Is Another Major Feature
Another major addition is Live Translation.
The feature is powered by Apple Intelligence and is designed to help users communicate across languages. Once the necessary languages are downloaded and the feature is set up through Apple’s Translate app, compatible AirPods can provide translated conversations directly through the earbuds.
Apple says Live Translation works with selected languages and regions. Supported languages currently include English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish and Mandarin variants, subject to device, language and regional requirements.
This could make AirPods particularly useful for travellers and people who regularly communicate across languages.
AirPods 5 Get Adaptive Audio and Conversation Awareness
The new earbuds also include several features designed to automatically adjust the listening experience.
Adaptive Audio combines ANC and Transparency mode based on the user’s surroundings.
Meanwhile, Conversation Awareness automatically lowers media volume when the user starts speaking, making it easier to have a quick conversation without removing the earbuds.
The improved Transparency mode is designed to make nearby voices and environmental sounds feel more natural while keeping users aware of what is happening around them.
Wireless Charging Version Gets More Features
The ₹17,900 AirPods 5 variant comes with a Wireless Charging Case and offers a few additional benefits over the standard version.
One notable addition is volume control through the stem. Users can swipe up or down on the stem to increase or decrease volume. Apple says this is a first for its open-ear AirPods design.
The wireless charging case can be charged using:
- USB-C
- Apple Watch charger
- Qi-certified wireless chargers
The case also includes a speaker that works with Find My, helping users locate it if misplaced.
AirPods 5 Battery Life
Battery life has also improved, particularly on the wireless charging version.
The standard AirPods 5 provide up to four hours of listening time with ANC enabled on a single charge and up to 20 hours when combined with the charging case under Apple’s ANC testing conditions.
The AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case increase that to up to five hours on a single charge with ANC enabled and up to 22 hours with the case.
| Feature | AirPods 5 | AirPods 5 Wireless Charging Case |
| ANC battery life | Up to 4 hours | Up to 5 hours |
| Total ANC battery life with case | Up to 20 hours | Up to 22 hours |
| Charging | USB-C | USB-C, Apple Watch, Qi |
| Volume swipe | No | Yes |
| Find My case speaker | No | Yes |
IP57 Rating for Better Durability
Apple has also improved the durability of the new earbuds.
The AirPods 5 carry an IP57 rating for dust, sweat and water resistance, making them better suited to workouts and everyday outdoor use.
However, water resistance does not mean the earbuds are designed for activities such as swimming, and normal precautions are still recommended.
AirPods 5 vs AirPods 4
The AirPods 5 bring several improvements over the previous generation, particularly in noise cancellation.
| Feature | AirPods 5 | AirPods 4 with ANC |
| Design | Open-ear | Open-ear |
| Active Noise Cancellation | Yes | Yes |
| ANC improvement | Up to 1.5x better | Previous generation |
| H2 chip | Yes | Yes |
| Live Translation | Yes | Supported |
| Siri AI | Yes | Supported |
| Spatial Audio | Yes | Yes |
| IP rating | IP57 | IP54 |
| ANC battery per charge | Up to 4 hours | Up to 4 hours |
| Wireless charging option | ₹17,900 model | Available on ANC model |
Apple’s biggest change is therefore not a completely new form factor, but the combination of stronger ANC, improved durability and new AI-related features.
What Makes AirPods 5 Different From AirPods Pro 3?
Apple continues to position the AirPods Pro range above the standard AirPods lineup.
The AirPods Pro 3 offer stronger in-ear ANC, additional premium features and longer battery life. Apple’s India pricing currently puts the Pro 3 at ₹27,900, compared with ₹14,900 for AirPods 5.
The AirPods 5 are therefore aimed at consumers who want Apple’s ecosystem features and ANC but prefer an open-ear design and a lower price.
AirPods 5 Focus Heavily on AI
One of the more interesting aspects of the AirPods 5 launch is Apple’s attempt to make its earbuds part of its broader AI ecosystem.
The combination of Siri AI, Apple Intelligence and Live Translation gives the AirPods more functions beyond music playback and phone calls.
With Siri AI, users can interact with their iPhone without taking it out of their pocket, while Live Translation can assist with conversations in supported languages.
This also fits into Apple’s wider strategy of making AI features available across its hardware ecosystem rather than restricting them to the iPhone.
Apple AirPods 5: Key Specifications at a Glance
- Design: Open-ear
- Chip: Apple H2
- ANC: Yes
- ANC improvement: Up to 1.5x compared with AirPods 4 with ANC
- Adaptive Audio: Yes
- Transparency mode: Yes
- Personalised Spatial Audio: Yes
- Siri AI: Yes
- Live Translation: Yes, in supported languages and regions
- Water/dust resistance: IP57
- Standard battery with ANC: Up to 4 hours
- Wireless Charging Case battery with ANC: Up to 5 hours
- India price: ₹14,900 onwards
- Wireless Charging Case model: ₹17,900
- Availability in India: September 18, 2026
Are AirPods 5 Worth Considering?
The AirPods 5 could be an interesting option for people who don’t like the sealed feeling of silicone-tipped earbuds but still want active noise cancellation.
At ₹14,900, the standard model brings ANC, Spatial Audio, Siri AI, Live Translation and the H2 chip into Apple’s more affordable open-ear category. The ₹17,900 version adds wireless charging, longer ANC battery life and stem-based volume control.
The biggest question will be whether open-ear ANC can deliver the level of isolation that users expect from traditional in-ear earbuds. Apple claims a significant improvement over the previous generation, but real-world performance will ultimately depend on the user’s environment and fit.
With pre-orders already open and retail availability starting September 18, the AirPods 5 are set to become one of Apple’s key new accessories for 2026.