Official base AirPods 5 with USB-C Charging Case render. Image: Apple ↗
Apple · Earbuds
Apple AirPods 5 (USB-C Charging Case)
Open-ear ANC · H2 · USB-C case
US launch / reference price: $129 · Released 2026-09-18
US launch price for the USB-C-only charging case configuration; the Wireless Charging Case model costs $149. Apple announced US preorders for September 9 and retail availability for September 18, 2026. This is a manufacturer-announced date, not a retailer stock check.
Editorial overview
The base AirPods 5 configuration includes Active Noise Cancellation and a USB-C case, with a lower price than the wireless-case version.
This is a sourced product profile with editorial judgments. Specdex has not tested this device in an in-house lab.
Reasons to consider it
- Active Noise Cancellation at the base price
- Light 4.3 g earbuds
- USB-C case
Tradeoffs to check
- No wireless case charging or volume swipe
- Charging cable and power adapter are not included
- Advanced Apple features require compatible devices/software
Specifications
Configurations and regional models can differ. A dated source beside a field identifies a specific cross-check; other fields remain catalog reference information.
Camera & video
- Sensors
- Optical in-ear sensor; motion/speech accelerometersManufacturer source · checked 2026-09-13 ↗
Audio
- Drivers
- Custom Apple high-excursion driver and high-dynamic-range amplifierManufacturer source · checked 2026-09-13 ↗
- Microphones
- Dual beamforming microphones plus inward-facing microphoneManufacturer source · checked 2026-09-13 ↗
Battery & charging
- Case charging
- USB-C charging onlyManufacturer source · checked 2026-09-13 ↗
- Battery with ANC
- Apple claims up to 4 hours per charge; 20 hours including caseManufacturer source · checked 2026-09-13 ↗
Connectivity
- Connectivity
- Bluetooth 5.3Manufacturer source · checked 2026-09-13 ↗
Build & design
- Earbud size and weight
- 30.2 × 18.3 × 18.1 mm; 4.3 g eachManufacturer source · checked 2026-09-13 ↗
- Case size and weight
- 46.2 × 50.1 × 21.2 mm; 32.3 gManufacturer source · checked 2026-09-13 ↗
Other
- Configuration
- Open-ear earbuds; USB-C Charging CaseManufacturer source · checked 2026-09-13 ↗
- Chip
- Apple H2 headphone chipManufacturer source · checked 2026-09-13 ↗
- Controls
- Force sensor; no on-stem volume swipeManufacturer source · checked 2026-09-13 ↗
- Noise control
- Active Noise Cancellation, Adaptive Audio and TransparencyManufacturer source · checked 2026-09-13 ↗
- Resistance
- IP57 for earbuds and case; resistance can diminish with wearManufacturer source · checked 2026-09-13 ↗
Prices & availability
US launch / reference: $129. This is not a current retailer offer.
Checking current offers…
Price history
Prices apply to the listed configuration and condition. Tax and shipping are not included unless the retailer states otherwise.
Sources & confidence
Manufacturer source: www.apple.com ↗
Catalog source check recorded 2026-09-13. A reference link is not proof that every field has been independently checked. Consult the linked source for model, region and test conditions.
This device has not received an editorial rating yet. Editorial scores use rubric editorial-2026-09; they are not manufacturer ratings or measured benchmark results. Missing information is not scored as zero.
Documented box contents
- AirPods 5 earbuds
- Charging Case (USB-C)
- Documentation
