So Apple is finally updating the regular AirPods. Not the Pro ones, not the Max ones — the entry-level ones that most people actually buy.
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is planning to announce AirPods 5 at its September 9 event, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and that foldable iPhone everyone’s been talking about. Two versions: a standard model and one with active noise cancellation (ANC). Just like they did with AirPods 4.
Honestly? I didn’t see this coming this soon. AirPods 4 came out in September 2024. That’s only two years. Apple usually stretches these updates to three years for the non-Pro line. But here we are.
Here’s what actually matters: Apple is bringing ANC down to the regular AirPods line. Previously, if you wanted noise cancellation, you had to pay up for the Pro model. Now you’ll have a choice within the cheaper lineup. That’s a bigger deal than it sounds. It means the gap between “regular AirPods” and “AirPods Pro” is shrinking.
Wait, I think I should back up a bit. The two models have internal codenames B868M and B868E — which follows the same pattern as AirPods 4’s B768M and B768E. The “M” is likely the standard version. The “E” is probably the one with ANC. Apple hasn’t confirmed any of this, but the code doesn’t lie.
What about actual upgrades? Not much is known yet. The rumor mill says they’ll get an H3 chip — Apple’s next-gen audio processor — which should mean better sound quality and lower latency. Some reports mention a possible body temperature sensor. But honestly? That sounds like Pro territory to me. Apple tends to keep health features for the premium tier.
Price-wise, expect around $129 for the base model and $179 for the ANC version. Apple didn’t raise prices when memory costs went up in June, so there’s a decent chance they’ll hold the line here.
But here’s the thing — and this is where I get a bit skeptical.
The camera-equipped AirPods? The ones with Visual Intelligence and Siri integration that everyone got excited about when that macOS 26.7 video leaked? Those aren’t coming until 2027. Mark Gurman confirmed it. Apple is reportedly working on two separate camera-AirPods projects internally, but neither is ready for prime time. Software issues. Hardware challenges. The whole thing got pushed back.
I actually covered this in detail before — Apple’s code revealed a lot about how these camera AirPods would work. The cameras aren’t for taking photos. They’re for giving Siri eyes. You point your head at something, ask a question, and the AirPods see what you’re seeing. Each earbud has its own camera sensor. They capture synchronized images. There’s even on-device AI processing so it doesn’t have to send everything to the cloud. AirPods With Cameras: 7 Things Apple’s Code Just Revealed
But that’s 2027 stuff. Maybe later. The AirPods 5 launching next month? Those are just normal earbuds with a chip upgrade and an ANC option.
To be fair, this makes sense. Apple needs something to sell this fall. The camera AirPods aren’t ready. The regular AirPods are due for an update. So here we are — a modest refresh that gives people more choice without rocking the boat.
Is it worth waiting for? If you’re holding onto AirPods from 2022 or earlier, yes. The ANC version alone is worth the upgrade if you commute or work in a noisy environment. If you already have AirPods 4? Probably skip it. It doesn’t sound like a massive leap.
The bigger question is whether this cannibalizes AirPods Pro sales. Why pay $250 for Pro 3 when you can get ANC on the regular line for $179? My guess: Apple will keep some features exclusive to Pro — better sound, better ANC, health sensors, maybe that camera stuff when it finally arrives. But the gap is closing.
I’m still not sure how I feel about the camera AirPods. The idea is cool — Siri seeing what you see. But wearing cameras on your ears? That’s going to raise some eyebrows. Privacy concerns, people around you not knowing if they’re being “seen,” the whole thing. Apple supposedly added a status light that turns on when the cameras are active. But still. We’ll see.
Anyway — AirPods 5 next month. Camera AirPods next year. That’s the short version.
I’ll probably pick up the ANC version and see how it compares to my Pro 2s. We’ll see what happens.
