Apple announced AirPods 5 on 10 September 2026 Australian time. They are on pre-order now and go on sale on Friday 18 September. There are two versions at two prices, and the differences between them go beyond the charging case.
AirPods 5 cost A$219, or A$249 with the Wireless Charging Case. Both arrive on 18 September. Apple says noise cancellation improves by up to 50 per cent over AirPods 4 with ANC.
The longer battery figure Apple quotes and the volume swipe control apply to the A$249 model only, and the new Siri AI features start in English and depend on which iPhone you own.
Prices and Dates
Apple’s Australian release says customers in Australia and more than 65 other countries can pre-order AirPods 5 for RRP A$219 inc. GST, and AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case for RRP A$249 inc. GST, with availability beginning Friday 18 September.
Source: Apple (AU): Apple introduces AirPods 5, read 10 September 2026.
What Changed
Apple describes an open-ear design with Active Noise Cancellation that removes up to 50 per cent more noise than AirPods 4 with ANC, plus improved Transparency mode, Adaptive Audio and Conversation Awareness. It also says the earbuds are made with 40 per cent recycled material overall, including 70 per cent recycled plastic in the wireless charging case and 100 per cent recycled cobalt in the battery.
These are the company’s figures. We have not used AirPods 5, and the noise cancellation comparison is Apple’s own.
Source: Apple (AU): Apple introduces AirPods 5, read 10 September 2026.
Two Models, What Differs
From Apple’s Australian release, read on 10 September 2026.
AirPods 5, A$219
the standard model with a charging case.
- Apple’s five-hour figure is quoted for the wireless charging model, so expect the standard model to sit below it
AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case, A$249
adds wireless charging and the force sensor with volume swipe.
- Up to five hours of playback with ANC on a charge, one hour longer than AirPods 4 with ANC
- Up to 22 hours in total with the case
Features With Conditions
Hands-free Siri AI, including replying to Siri with a head gesture, and Live Translation are on the list. Apple’s footnotes add that some features may not be available in all regions or languages, that Siri AI launches in English only with French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese and Spanish arriving in October 2026, and that expressive Siri voices need an iPhone 18 Pro or Pro Max, iPhone 17 Pro or Pro Max, iPhone Air, or a compatible iPad or Mac.
The release does not spell out which of those features are available in Australia on day one, so check Apple’s Australian AirPods page for the current list before you buy for a specific feature.
Source: Apple (AU): Apple introduces AirPods 5, read 10 September 2026.
Before You Choose a Model
Sources and How This Was Checked
Prices, dates, battery and feature statements come from Apple’s Australian newsroom release dated 10 September 2026, read on 10 September 2026. No earbuds were tested, and no retailer pricing was compared.
Related on Tech X Telco: Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4: Australian prices, dates and what is missing here, announced the same day.
Michel Elijah covers technology, streaming and online security for Tech X Telco. He writes practical how-to guides on everything from email troubleshooting to spotting the latest scams doing the rounds in Australia, with a focus on clear steps anyone can follow.
Spotted something wrong? Corrections are recorded in the open. Report a correction
