AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case add a force sensor with swipe volume control, which Apple calls a first for its open-ear earbuds. The feature is exclusive to the $149 model; the $129 AirPods 5 do not get it.
Volume adjustment has been the gap in the standard AirPods control scheme, with wearers reaching for a phone or watch, or asking Siri, to change levels. The force sensor closes that gap on one of the two new models.
How swipe volume works on AirPods 5
According to Apple’s announcement, the force sensor accepts a swipe gesture to raise or lower volume. Apple has not published the full gesture map, such as what a press or a hold does, so the swipe volume behavior is the only control confirmed in the release.
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Apple describes swipe volume control as a first for the open-ear form factor, and it ties the feature to the force sensor hardware rather than to a software update. Apple has not said whether the gesture can be adjusted or turned off in Settings.
Why only the Wireless Charging Case model has it
Apple’s release lists the force sensor under the $149 model, alongside charging through Apple Watch chargers, Qi chargers and USB-C. The $129 AirPods 5 share the noise cancellation, battery ratings and Siri features, but not the sensor.
Apple has not explained the reasoning, and it has not said whether a future update could bring volume control to the base model. Because the release describes a hardware sensor, a software-only fix seems unlikely, though Apple has not addressed it either way.
| Feature | AirPods 5 ($129) | AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case ($149) |
|---|---|---|
| Force sensor with swipe volume control | Not included | Included |
| Active Noise Cancellation | Yes | Yes |
| Battery, ANC on | Up to 5 hours | Up to 5 hours |
| Total with case | Up to 22 hours | Up to 22 hours |
| Apple Watch charger and Qi charging | Not listed in Apple’s release | Yes |
| USB-C charging | Not specified in Apple’s release | Yes |
What the force sensor means for buyers
The $20 gap between models now covers two things: wireless charging and on-earbud volume control. Anyone who wants to change volume without touching a phone or watch has one choice in the AirPods 5 lineup.
A force sensor on open-ear AirPods was not a fixture of pre-event reporting, as our AirPods 5 rumor round-up shows. Apple has not said whether the sensor also handles calls or playback, so the release leaves the rest of the control scheme open.
Pre-orders opened today, September 9, and both models reach stores on Friday, September 18 in the US and more than 65 countries. See our Apple event live blog for everything else announced, including the iPhone 18 Pro.
