Apple has brought Active Noise Cancellation to its most affordable AirPods with the launch of AirPods 5 in India. Priced under Rs 15,000, the new open-ear earbuds combine ANC with improved sound, longer battery life and a set of hands-free features powered by Apple’s newer Siri AI capabilities. Apple is also adding Live Translation, allowing users to hear translated conversations through the earbuds. The company says AirPods 5 can remove up to 50 percent more external noise than AirPods 4 with ANC. Pre-orders have started, with sales beginning September 18th.
AirPods 5 price and features
The AirPods 5 are priced at Rs 14,900 in India, while AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case cost Rs 17,900. Both models will be available from September 18th.
Apple says the new earbuds use an all-new multiport acoustic architecture and next-generation Adaptive EQ for improved sound. The ANC system is claimed to reduce up to 50 percent more external noise than AirPods 4 with ANC. Transparency mode has also been updated to make nearby voices and sounds feel more natural. Adaptive Audio can automatically blend ANC and Transparency mode based on the surroundings.
The Rs 17,900 version adds a Wireless Charging Case and stem-based volume controls. Users can swipe up or down on the stem to adjust volume. Battery life also improves, with Apple claiming up to five hours of playback with ANC enabled on a single charge, compared with four hours for AirPods 4 with ANC. The case takes total listening time with ANC to up to 22 hours and supports Apple Watch chargers, Qi-compatible chargers and USB-C.
Siri AI is one of the more significant additions to AirPods 5. When paired with an Apple Intelligence-supported iPhone, the earbuds can give users hands-free access to Apple’s more capable Siri experience. Apple says Siri AI can understand personal context across information such as messages, emails and photos, while also providing broader world knowledge and taking actions inside apps. This means users can ask Siri to perform tasks based on information already on their iPhone. For example, Apple says Siri can play a song mentioned in a friend’s message or help navigate to a dinner reservation using information from an email.
AirPods 5 also support Siri Interactions, allowing users to respond without speaking. A nod of the head can indicate “yes”, while shaking the head can indicate “no”. This could be useful when users want to interact with Siri discreetly in public.
Siri AI is rolling out as a beta with iOS 27 and initially supports English, with French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese and Spanish support coming in October. Availability also depends on having a compatible Apple Intelligence-enabled device.
AirPods 5 can also be used for Live Translation, powered by Apple Intelligence. After setting up the feature in the Translate app and downloading the required languages, users can start a translation by pressing both AirPods stems, asking Siri to start Live Translation or using the Action button on an iPhone. The feature lets users hear a conversation in their preferred language, although Apple notes that Live Translation is not available in all languages or regions.
At Rs 14,900, AirPods 5 are made for buyers who want Apple’s ecosystem features without paying AirPods Pro prices. The combination of an open-ear fit, ANC and Siri AI makes them more interesting than a routine AirPods refresh. However, buyers who prioritise maximum noise isolation should still consider sealed in-ear earbuds, as the open-ear design is intended to keep users more connected to their surroundings. The Rs 3,000 premium for the Wireless Charging Case version is easier to justify if you want longer ANC battery life and stem-based volume controls. The Siri AI and Live Translation features also make the most sense for people already using compatible Apple hardware. They are not standalone features that work equally across all phones, and Apple says several capabilities depend on supported devices, languages and regions.
