Two devices. One clear decision.

LAUNCH DATE3 fields

Specification	AirPods 4	AirPods 5
Announced	Announcement date not recorded	Announcement date not recorded
Released	Release date not recorded	2026-09-18
Status	Release status not recorded	Available

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION5 fields

Specification	AirPods 4	AirPods 5
Environmental	—	40% recycled material content overall
Launch Price (USD)	$129.00 (reference only — see Price in Nigeria above for the actual retail price)	$129 (AirPods 5 (USB-C case)), $149 (AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case) (US launch price)
Models	—	AirPods 5; AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case
Models and regions	—	Available in the U.S. and more than 65 other countries/regions
Price in Nigeria	₦181,000 (Stored estimate)	Nigeria price not recorded. Worldwide quote: USD 129

PRODUCT OVERVIEW5 fields

Specification	AirPods 4	AirPods 5
Brand	Apple	Apple
Category	True Wireless Earbuds	Open-fit true wireless earbuds
Launch Date	September 20, 2024	September 9, 2026
Model Name	AirPods 4	AirPods 5
Price	$129	$129 (US launch)

AUDIO SPECIFICATIONS2 fields

Specification	AirPods 4	AirPods 5
Driver Type	Custom high-excursion Apple driver with custom high dynamic range amplifier	Custom high-excursion Apple driver, custom high dynamic range amplifier
Sound Features	Personalized Spatial Audio, Adaptive EQ, Voice Isolation, pressure-equalization vent	Spatial audio: Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking; Chip: Apple H2

FEATURES AND SOFTWARE11 fields

Specification	AirPods 4	AirPods 5
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)	No	Yes, Active Noise Cancellation (up to 50% more noise removed vs AirPods 4 with ANC), Adaptive Audio, Transparency mode, Conversation Awareness
App Support	iOS/iPadOS/macOS Settings + Find My; no standalone app	—
Customizable EQ	No manual EQ; Adaptive EQ automatic only	—
Find My Earbuds	—	Wireless Charging Case version has a built-in speaker for Find My
Low-Latency / Gaming Mode	Not officially marketed	—
Other Features	—	Adaptive EQ, multiport acoustic architecture, vent system for pressure equalization, Voice Isolation, studio-quality audio recording, Live Translation, hands-free Siri
Sound Modes	None (no ANC/Transparency toggle)	Active Noise Cancellation, Adaptive Audio, Transparency, Conversation Awareness
Touch Controls	Force sensor on stem — press for play/pause/calls, squeeze for camera, hold for Siri	Force sensor; force sensor with volume swipe (Wireless Charging Case version); head gestures
Transparency / Ambient Mode	No dedicated mode (open-ear; not applicable)	Yes, Transparency mode
Voice Assistant Support	Siri (hands-free)	Siri ("Siri" / "Hey Siri", head gestures)
Wear Detection	—	Optical in-ear sensor, motion-detecting accelerometer, speech-detecting accelerometer, force sensor

CONNECTIVITY AND INTEGRATION4 fields

Specification	AirPods 4	AirPods 5
Bluetooth Version	Bluetooth 5.3	5.3
Multipoint	Automatic switching among Apple devices on same Apple ID	—
Supported Codecs	AAC	—
Wired Mode	Not supported	—

BUILD AND DESIGN6 fields

Specification	AirPods 4	AirPods 5
Colors Available	White	White
Dimensions	Earbud ~30.2 x 18.3 x 18.0mm; Case 46.2 x 50.0 x 21.0mm	Earbud: 30.2 x 18.3 x 18.1 mm; Case: 46.2 x 50.1 x 21.2 mm
Form Factor	Open-fit (no silicone tip), redesigned stem, semi-open case	Open-fit true wireless earbuds
Ingress Protection	IP54 (earbuds and case)	IP57 (dust, sweat and water resistant)
Materials	Plastic housing	40% recycled material by weight, 70% recycled plastic in the case
Weight	4.3g per earbud	4.3 g (each earbud); Case: 32.3 g (standard), 34.7 g (Wireless Charging Case)

BATTERY CAPACITY AND CHARGING4 fields

Specification	AirPods 4	AirPods 5
Charging Port	USB-C	USB-C; Wireless Charging Case version also supports Qi-certified and Apple Watch chargers
Fast Charging	5 min in case ≈ 1 hour listening	5 min charge = around 1 hour of listening
Total Playtime	Up to 5 hrs per charge; up to 30 hrs total with case	Earbuds: Up to 4 hours (ANC on), up to 6 hours (noise control off); Wireless Charging Case version: up to 5 hours (ANC on), up to 7 hours (noise control off); With case: Up to 20 hours with ANC (standard), up to 22 hours with ANC (Wireless Charging Case version)
Wireless Charging	Not supported on this variant	Wireless Charging Case version: Yes, Qi-certified and Apple Watch chargers; standard USB-C case: No

MICROPHONES AND VOICE FEATURES4 fields

Specification	AirPods 4	AirPods 5
Hands-Free Calls Support	Yes	Yes, with Voice Isolation
Mic Count	3 per earbud (6 total)	—
Mic Type / Noise Reduction	Dual beamforming mics + inward mic; Voice Isolation for calls	Dual beamforming microphones, inward-facing microphone
Voice Assistant Trigger	"Hey Siri" or press-and-hold stem	—

BOX CONTENTS6 fields

Specification	AirPods 4	AirPods 5
Charging Cable	Sold separately	—
Ear Tips (if earbuds)	None (open-fit design)	None (open-ear design)
Extras (cases, clips, mounts, etc.)	Charging case (no wireless charging)	Charging case (USB-C)
Main Device	AirPods 4 (pair)	AirPods 5
User Manual	Yes	Documentation
Warranty Card	Standard 1-year limited warranty (not separately itemized)	—

COMPATIBILITY3 fields

Specification	AirPods 4	AirPods 5
Operating Systems	iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, visionOS	iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, macOS, tvOS, visionOS (latest versions)
Profiles Supported	Standard Bluetooth audio profiles (not itemized by Apple)	—
Supported Devices	iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV, Apple Vision Pro	Full features with Apple devices on the latest iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, macOS, tvOS or visionOS; works as Bluetooth headphones with non-Apple devices (limited features)

KEY HIGHLIGHT1 field

Specification	AirPods 4	AirPods 5
Highlight	Apple's redesigned entry-level earbuds bring the AirPods Pro's open-ear fit and Spatial Audio down to $129, without ANC or wireless charging.	The Apple AirPods 5 are open-fit earbuds powered by the H2 chip, with Active Noise Cancellation now standard, Adaptive Audio, Transparency mode and Personalized Spatial Audio.