We have a new pair of AirPods winging our way. The AirPods 5 again come in two variants, but unlike their predecessors, both pairs have active noise cancellation (ANC). But the pricier pair do have some extra features to set them apart from their cheaper siblings.
How do they compare to their AirPods 4 counterparts? We haven't reviewed the new models yet, so can't comment on how they perform. But we can look at them side by side and say how they compare on paper.
So let's do just that.
Apple AirPods 5 vs AirPods 4: price
Before Apple's September launch event, price rises were heavily rumoured – the firm has recently upped its prices on certain products, after all. And while the new iPhones got a price hike, thankfully the new AirPods went the other way.
The AirPods 5 start at £119 / $129 / AU$219 for the base model, rising to £139 / $149 / AU$249 for the variant with the wireless charging case. Both of which compare very favourably with the launch prices of the corresponding AirPods 4 models (£129 / $129 / AU$219 and £179 / $179 / AU$299 respectively).
Apple no longer sells the 4 models, but you can still pick them up at other retailers while stocks last. At time of writing, they haven't dropped below the new models, though that could change when the AirPods 5 go on sale on 18th September.
Apple AirPods 5 vs AirPods 4: design
The AirPods 5 are virtually unchanged from their predecessors in terms of design, but there are some tweaks.
The pricier variant of AirPods 5 have a slightly recessed area on the stem so you can feel the on-bud volume controls. Otherwise, they are nigh-on identical visually to their predecessors.
Both pairs of AirPods 5 also have improved dust- and water-resistance: IP57, compared to the IP54 of the AirPods 4.
Both the AirPods 5 and 4 have an open-ear design with no eartips. That means their fit might be an acquired taste – some people love it, while others struggle to keep them in their ears.
The new pairs weigh the same 4.3g of the AirPods 4, which makes them barely noticeable in your ears.
Apple AirPods 5 vs AirPods 4: features
The headline news for the AirPods 5 is that both pairs feature active noise cancellation. Whereas the AirPods 4 come in one variant with the feature, and one without.
Apple claims the ANC has been improved, and is now 50 per cent more effective than the same feature on the AirPods 4. It claims this is "the best ANC in an open ear design".
Transparency mode – which allows in some outside sounds to keep you aware of your surroundings – is also more natural, Apple says.
Live Translation is now available on both pairs of AirPods 5 (on the 4 range, it's only available on the AirPods 4 with ANC, not the base model). Like the AirPods 4, they will work with the new, more conversational Siri AI.
In terms of battery life, the AirPods 5 are disappointing. The cheaper model offers 4 hours of use, while the model with the wireless charging case ups that to 5 hours (all with ANC enabled). Which is no improvement on the underwhelming figures from the AirPods 4 models.
The total battery life (including the charging case) is 20 hours from the AirPods 5, and 22 hours from the AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case. The AirPods 4 with ANC claim 30 hours, though this is with ANC disabled (the AirPods 5 figures are with it enabled), so there's probably nothing to choose between the two generation models.
The pricier model of AirPods 5 has a wireless charging case that works with Qi and Apple Watch chargers, while the cheaper model relies on wired USB-C charging.
The newer models also have all the features of the AirPods 4 range, including Spatial Audio, Conversation Awareness, adaptive audio and Find My features. They also run on the same H2 chip as the AirPods 4 models, and use the same Bluetooth 5.3 tech.
Apple AirPods 5 vs AirPods 4: noise cancellation
At this stage, we only have Apple's claims to go on for the AirPods 5. Once we have them in for testing, we'll be able to assess whether they really do cancel 50 per cent more noise than their predecessors. But bringing ANC to both new models is a smart move by Apple, and makes it less confusing for customers who will get ANC regardless of which pair of AirPods they buy.
We found the AirPods 4 with ANC's noise cancellation worked very well indeed. They get around the lack of a seal offered by eartips by targeting low-end frequencies. "The rumble of engines on the road, the grinding hum of trains, the exhaust fan in the kitchen – it all disappears. It’s quite impressive," we wrote in our AirPods 4 with ANC review.
While you're not encased in a bubble of silence as with the best noise-cancelling earbuds, they do cancel enough noise to make your music clear without the need to crank up the volume and potentially damage your hearing. It's also a much more natural and comfortable experience than some more suction-y forms of ANC.
If Apple has improved on it as it claims, we should be in for a treat.
Apple AirPods 5 vs AirPods 4: sound
Again, we only have Apple's claims to go on regarding the AirPods 5's sound quality at present. The new multi-port acoustic architecture and next-generation adaptive EQ claim to improve sound quality, with "richer, more detailed sound across a wider range of ear geometries". Personalised Spatial Audio should also be more immersive and dynamic.
We're big fans of the AirPods 4's sound quality, so any improvement is very welcome. When we popped them in our ears, we immediately encountered "clarity and detail, agility and balance, along with a focus on voices that make them immediately appealing to listen to," we wrote in our review.
They offer plenty of space between instruments, with plenty of textural detail and depth. High notes soar without a hint of brightness, while they remain dynamically engaging throughout.
We can't wait to put the AirPods 5 through their sonic paces.
Apple AirPods 5 vs AirPods 4: early verdict
The usual caveat applies: we won't know how well the AirPods 5 perform until we've put them through our rigorous reviews process. But from what we've seen so far, they look like another winning pair from Apple.
Improved ANC, better sound quality and the addition of much-loved features like on-bud volume controls will please listeners no end. And the fact they're priced aggressively leaves the AirPods 4 looking like an odd choice.
Of course that could change if the AirPods 4 do drop in price at third-party retailers once the AirPods 5 launch. But it looks like they'll have to see some significant discounts to be a truly tempting alternative.
We'll update this article once we've reviewed the AirPods 5.
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Read our Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation review
