Apple’s AirPods 5 announcement led with Active Noise Cancellation, which removes up to 50 percent more noise than AirPods 4 with ANC. But Apple’s press release lists several other additions that received far less attention.
The $129 AirPods 5 and $149 AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case reach stores on September 18, with pre-orders open today. Here are seven features worth knowing before you order.
New controls: swipe volume and head gestures
1. Swipe volume control. The Wireless Charging Case model carries a force sensor with swipe volume control, which Apple calls a first for the open-ear form factor. The $129 model does not get it.
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2. Head-gesture replies. AirPods 5 let you answer with a nod or a shake of the head, so you can respond to a prompt without touching the earbuds or your phone.
Siri AI and Live Translation
3. Hands-free Siri AI. AirPods 5 work with Apple’s new Siri hands-free, but only with iOS 27, which arrives on Monday, September 14, and an iPhone that supports Apple Intelligence. Siri AI launches in beta in English, with French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese and Spanish following in October.
4. Live Translation. Apple lists Live Translation as an AirPods 5 feature. The release does not detail which languages it supports or whether it carries the same requirements as Siri AI.
Charging, awareness and durability
5. Apple Watch charger compatibility. The Wireless Charging Case charges on Apple Watch chargers as well as Qi chargers and USB-C, so a single puck by the bed can handle both devices.
6. Conversation Awareness and Adaptive Audio. Both models include Conversation Awareness, Adaptive Audio and Transparency mode, alongside next-generation Adaptive EQ and Personalized Spatial Audio.
7. Improved dust, sweat and water resistance. Apple says resistance has improved over the previous generation, though the release does not attach a rating.
| Feature | Which model | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Swipe volume control | $149 model only | None listed |
| Head-gesture replies | Both | None listed |
| Hands-free Siri AI | Both | iOS 27 and an Apple Intelligence iPhone |
| Live Translation | Both | Not stated by Apple |
| Apple Watch charger compatibility | $149 model only | Apple Watch, Qi or USB-C charger |
| Conversation Awareness and Adaptive Audio | Both | None listed |
| Improved water resistance | Both | None listed |
The basics are the same across both models: up to 5 hours of listening with ANC on, one hour more than AirPods 4, and up to 22 hours with the case.
Most of the software features above depend on the iPhone 18 Pro or another Apple Intelligence iPhone running iOS 27. For the reports that preceded today, see every last-minute AirPods 5 rumor, and catch up on the full event in our live blog.
