Apple’s newest AirPods 5 bring a host of new features from its Pro lineup, but are they any better? Let’s find out. For years, Apple has kept a strict line between its standard earbuds and the premium Pro tier, reserving active noise cancellation, advanced spatial acoustic tricks, and high-end processing for the more expensive model. With the AirPods 5, the company aggressively bridges that gap, introducing high-end computational audio, smarter onboard intelligence, and active noise cancellation to a tip-less form factor.
Design & Build
The AirPods 5 arrive in a remarkably compact form factor. Apple has shaved down the charging case dimensions so effectively that it effortlessly slides into the tiny coin pocket of a pair of jeans, leaving almost no visible bulge. In terms of pocketability, it is one of Apple’s most travel-friendly cases. The case lid opens with Apple’s signature snappy magnetic resistance, and the glossy white polycarbonate retains that familiar polished look.
The earpieces retain the classic, open-style aesthetic, with no rubber or silicone tips. Instead, Apple relies on a fixed, contoured hard-plastic shell engineered to fit a wide range of ear shapes. When you first slip them in, the featherlight construction is immediately noticeable; they are so lightweight that after a few moments, it genuinely feels like there is nothing in your ear at all.
However, that open design remains a double-edged sword. While it eliminates the plugged-in ear canal pressure common to in-ear monitors, the lack of interchangeable tips compromises stability. In testing, the earbuds sit comfortably while resting at a desk, but after walking for just five minutes straight, they loosen up and feel as if they might slip out and tumble to the ground at any second. If you rely on the snug, locked-in grip of silicone tips, a feature Apple stubbornly keeps exclusive to its Pro lineup, the fit of the AirPods 5 may leave you constantly adjusting them during daily commutes or workouts.
Performance & Sound
The AirPods 5 run on the familiar H2 chip found across Apple’s recent audio hardware, and it does heavy lifting here. The sound profile is clean, punchy, and surprisingly broad for an unsealed earbud. Midrange vocals are articulated with pristine clarity, and high-frequency instrumentation never sounds shrill. While physics dictates that an open-ear design cannot deliver bone-rattling sub-bass rumble, Apple’s adaptive equalizer compensates admirably by tuning low frequencies on the fly according to the geometry of your ear.
The real showstopper is the Active Noise Cancellation. Achieving meaningful noise cancellation on a tip-less, unsealed earbud is a notoriously difficult acoustic challenge, yet the ANC here is phenomenal. The outward and inward-facing microphones paired with the H2 chip effectively cancel low-frequency traffic rumbles, and air conditioning hums, delivering an impressively quiet soundstage.
Along with ANC is the Transparency mode, which remains the gold standard in the industry. It sounds so natural and transparent that it was an essential tool during public transit commutes where hearing platform announcements, vehicle horns, and ticket collectors is essential for basic environmental safety.
Beyond standard audio playback, the AirPods 5 doubles down on smart computational features. The highlight is the on-device Live Translation feature. Note that this functionality is restricted to newer Apple hardware, requiring an iPhone 15 Pro or newer running the latest software release. In my testing with an iPhone 18 Pro Max, after downloading several offline language packs, the live translation executed seamlessly. As someone speaks a foreign language nearby, the translation relays directly into your ear with minimal delay. While it performs its job remarkably well in quiet to moderate environments, Apple’s current translation library is limited, and broader regional language support is needed for it to be a truly universal tool.
Battery Life
Battery longevity on the AirPods 5 is well-balanced given the miniature chassis. On a single charge, the earbuds deliver about 5 hours of continuous listening with ANC disabled, dropping to roughly 4 hours when noise cancellation and computational features are active.
The charging case provides multiple full top-ups, pushing total listening time to around 24 hours of playback with ANC engaged, or closer to 30 hours in basic playback modes. When the charge gets low, a quick five-minute top-up in the case yields around an hour of playback or talk time.
Charging versatility is another area where the AirPods 5 borrows heavily from the Pro series. The case features a modern USB-C port at the bottom for universal wired connectivity, eliminating the need to pack legacy Lightning cables. The unit reviewed here is the wireless-charging edition, so it charges effortlessly on Qi-certified charging pads, MagSafe pucks, and even Apple Watch magnetic chargers.
At ₹17,900, the Apple AirPods 5 redefine open-ear earbuds with the powerful H2 chip, impressive ANC, and seamless wireless charging in a compact design. However, the universal fit may not suit everyone; those with sensitive ear canals or who need a secure fit during vigorous exercise might prefer the Pro model. Yet, if you prefer the comfort of an open design, excellent portability, and features like live translation, the AirPods 5 is an outstanding audio companion.
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Build & Design
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Performance
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Audio
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Battery Life