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AirPods 5: ANC & AI on a Budget!
19 Sep
Summary
- AirPods 5 offer ANC and AI features for $124.
- Sound quality and call quality are greatly improved.
- Battery life is a disappointing four hours.
The latest AirPods 5 from Apple are now available, marking the cheapest entry point into the AirPods lineup at $124. These earbuds feature active noise cancellation (ANC) and enhanced sound and call quality, offering significant upgrades from their predecessors.
For users with Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhones, the AirPods 5 also provide AI-powered features such as Live Translation. The standard model is priced at $124, with a wireless charging case option available for $149. Both versions include ANC as standard, a notable improvement.
Despite these advancements, the battery life is a point of disappointment, offering only four hours of playback time. This falls short compared to some competitors in the market.
Design-wise, the AirPods 5 retain a familiar look with a shorter stem and a compact charging case. They are designed for comfort, even during extended wear, and feature an IP57 water rating suitable for workouts. Controls include volume swipe functionality on the wireless charging case model.
Connectivity within the Apple ecosystem remains seamless, automatically switching between devices. However, the continued use of Bluetooth 5.3, rather than a more recent standard like Bluetooth 6.1, is a limitation noted by reviewers.
Overall, the AirPods 5 are presented as a compelling option for budget-conscious iPhone users, delivering substantial improvements in sound and ANC for their price, despite some compromises in battery life and connectivity standards.
