Apple is preparing to launch AirPods 5 as early as September 9, with two versions expected to replace the current AirPods 4 lineup. The new earbuds are expected to arrive alongside Apple’s next iPhones and other hardware planned for its September event.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that Apple plans to offer AirPods 5 in two versions, including one model with active noise cancellation and another without the feature. Apple used the same approach with AirPods 4, which launched in September 2024 at $129 and $179 in the US.
References to AirPods 5 also appeared in macOS 26.7 Release Candidate code, adding more evidence that the launch is close. However, details about design changes, battery improvements, audio upgrades, or other new features remain unclear.
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Apple is also developing AirPods with built-in cameras, although that more advanced model is expected to arrive in 2027 rather than this year.
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