TechnologyAppleApple is back with new AirPods20:36, 09 Sep 2026Apple has unveiled a major new upgrade for its AirPods, with the latest buds getting much stronger noise cancellation, better sound and smarter hands-free features. The new AirPods 5 have been revealed alongside Apple’s headline-grabbing new iPhone Duo, with the company promising a huge leap in audio performance.‌Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) has been given a major boost, with Apple claiming the new buds deliver 50% better performance than the previous generation. That should mean users will hear more of their music and less of the distractions happening around them.‌There’s also Adaptive Audio, which automatically blends Transparency mode and ANC depending on what’s happening around you. And when you start talking, Conversation Awareness can automatically lower your music, making it easier to chat without taking your AirPods out.‌Apple has also reworked the acoustic architecture and added next-generation Adaptive EQ, designed to deliver richer, more detailed sound.Things get even smarter when the buds are paired with an Apple Intelligence-compatible iPhone. Users can call on Siri hands-free to perform useful tasks, such as playing a song recommended by a friend in a message or navigating to a dinner reservation mentioned in an email.‌Battery life gets a boost too. AirPods 5 can now deliver up to five hours of playback with ANC switched on from a single charge — an hour more than AirPods 4 with ANC.Apple is also promising improved durability, with better resistance to dust, sweat and water.Perhaps one of the best bits of news is the price. Things are staying the same this year, with the buds starting from £119. Most other tech products have increased this year, so it's nice to see Apple not hiking the cost.Article continues belowThose wanting the AirPods 5 with wireless charging case will have to pay £139. This model also gets improved controls and longer battery life.“Both AirPods 5 models deliver a world-class listening experience,” said Dave Pakula, Apple’s vice president of Hardware Engineering, who also highlighted features including Live Translation and hands-free Siri capabilities.Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌African National CongressAppleiPhone