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Technology

Apple AirPods 5 Could Launch in September With Two New Models

hellohimachalse@gmail.com 25 Aug 2026 25 Aug 2026

Talk of camera-equipped AirPods has dominated the headlines lately, but word on the street is that a far more familiar product is about to make its comeback: plain old AirPods. And now a fresh report has given us a much sharper idea of what to expect.

According to a report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, a prolific Apple tipster, the brand is teeing up to release AirPods 5, consisting of a standard pair of buds and an ANC-toting model.

Word is these earbuds might land as soon as early September, around the same time Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 18 Pro lineup, the Apple Watch 12, and a folding iPhone Ultra. That said, there’s some flexibility for a slightly later release. Even so, Apple tends to favour cramming everything into one big autumn event rather than spacing things out.

This wouldn’t be the first time Apple has split its standard AirPods into two tiers. Back in 2024, the lineup grew to include the AirPods 4 and an ANC-equipped AirPods 4, with the latter earning a somewhat warmer reception in reviews thanks to its noise cancellation, despite the higher price tag. It looks like Apple is sticking with that same two-tier formula for round five.

Where Apple Can Improve

Apple’s non-Pro AirPods tend to fly under the radar compared to the Pro line, so leaks are scarce. But based on past experience, there’s a clear list of things Apple could fix.

Value tops that list. The AirPods 4 weren’t outrageously priced, but they struggled to match rivals like the Nothing Ear (a), which cost less while still offering ANC and better sound. Apple’s premium AirPods Pro models, by contrast, justify their price with strong sound and a comfortable, lightweight build. The standard AirPods now face the same dilemma as Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 4: a “budget” option that isn’t priced like one. Either the cost needs to drop, or the feature set needs to grow to match it.

Fit is another sore spot. Like most semi-open earbuds, the AirPods don’t stay as secure as tip-in-ear alternatives, though Apple has already made solid strides here.

Battery life is a realistic area for another bump – the AirPods 4 already beat Apple’s own estimates, but nearing 10 hours without ANC would bring them closer to category norms.

Sound quality could use attention too, particularly around detail retrieval, which past reviews flagged as a weak point that can dull the listening experience on certain tracks. Of everything mentioned, audio tweaks feel like the most likely upgrade to actually show up.

A bolder move would be opening up AirPods features to Android users, since most of what makes them special is currently locked to iPhone. Don’t expect that shift, though – Beats already fills that role in Apple’s lineup.

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