Apple AirPods 5 confirmed for September 9 — two models, new chip, no prices yet
Apple will announce AirPods 5 on September 9, according to Bloomberg (Mark Gurman), the same event set to introduce the iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max, Ultra, and Apple Watch Series 12. The earbuds replace AirPods 4, which launched in 2024, making this a two-year refresh cycle. Two models are confirmed: a standard version and one with active noise cancellation, which will carry a higher price tag.
The hardware
The main upgrade is the H3 chip — Apple's next-generation audio processor, expected to deliver better sound processing, lower latency, and on-device AI features. Beyond the chip, MacRumors notes Gurman's own description of the changes as "minor," which sets expectations accordingly. References to AirPods 5 in macOS 26.7 RC code suggest Apple is ready to move, but no design overhaul or health-sensor additions have been confirmed — those remain the territory of the AirPods Pro line.
The price question
No official pricing has been announced. AirPods 4 currently sit at $129 for the standard model and $179 for the ANC version in the US, with identical £129–£179 pricing in the UK. AirPods 5 is expected to track the same range unless Apple uses the H3 chip as justification for a bump. For buyers sitting on AirPods 3 or older, the upgrade case is straightforward. For anyone already on AirPods 4, the incremental chip improvement alone is unlikely to be compelling.
What to watch
The September 9 event is Apple's biggest hardware moment of the year, but the spotlight will fall squarely on the iPhone 18 Ultra and the health and AI features coming to Apple Watch. AirPods 5 fills a gap in the lineup — keeping the entry-level earbuds current — without promising the kind of leap that moves a crowd. Competitors like Sony and Beats already offer strong ANC alternatives at similar price points, and without a clear hardware differentiator, the AirPods 5 standard model will need to lean heavily on ecosystem appeal. Pricing and full specs will land on September 9.
