While the external design of the AirPods 5 hasn’t changed, Apple has made some changes on the inside and lowered the price of the step-up model. CNET editor David Carnoy has the full skinny on their performance improvements.
You can find the products mentioned in this article linked below
Apple AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case
Apple AirPods 5 Wireless Earbuds
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Read more about Apple AirPods 5 on CNET.com:
Apple Introduces New AirPods 5 With Improved Noise Canceling and Lower Price for Step-Up Model
0:00 Introduction
0:13 Price & Model Variations
0:52 Key Upgrades & Features
1:26 Fit & Design
2:05 Active Noise Cancellation & Transparency
3:13 Battery Life & Charging
3:51 Sound Quality & Audio Performance
4:53 Smart Features & Siri Gestures
5:35 Voice Call Quality & Mic Test
6:23 Final Verdict & Recommendation
Video Credits:
Host: David Carnoy
Scripted by:David Carnoy
Producer: Numi Prasarn
Camera: Numi Prasarn
Video Editor: JD Christison
Thumbnail Designer: Tharon Green
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#AirPods5 #AppleAirPods #AirPodsReview #Earbuds #TechReview #AppleTech
@Gravage
September 14, 2026 at 9:01 am
1:08 Why did you take off your green nail polish? It looked good.
@davidcarnoy961
September 14, 2026 at 10:42 am
Yeah, better than my hands. I need a manicure!
@VoidWrithe
September 14, 2026 at 9:18 am
Marketing is trying to bend physics as usual, but the fundamentals of acoustics cannot be negotiated. Looking at this objectively, an open earbud design simply cannot deliver genuine active noise cancellation. Without a passive acoustic seal, any claims of a 50 percent efficiency boost remain purely promotional numbers. Low frequency ambient rumble in transit will leak through regardless, which forces algorithms to artificially boost bass, creating acoustic masking in the midrange and noticeable distortion above 70 percent volume. Reusing the chip of generation 2 instead of delivering generation 3 processor hardware confirms there is no real technological leap here. Battery life between 4 and 5 hours with noise cancellation enabled is quite weak for 149 dollars. After 2 years of daily cycles, battery degradation will inevitably reduce playback to 2 or 3 hours, turning them into disposable plastic. Celebrating a primitive equalizer with only 3 bands in system 27 is bizarre when competitors have offered detailed 10 band tuning for a decade. What we have here is merely a mild refresh of generation 4 hardware with rating 57, asking 149 dollars for acoustic compromises, recycled parts, and underwhelming endurance.
@Kira11259
September 14, 2026 at 9:29 am
@VoidWrithe I agree with you on marketing stuff but they do offer “genuine” anc, they aren’t close to Sony or Bose but for what they are it’s pretty good.
@QuadientKing2026
September 14, 2026 at 12:10 pm
You’ve just wasted 300 words, dont do it again.
@Jacobk66
September 14, 2026 at 9:36 am
Best tech reviewer in the game
@davidcarnoy961
September 14, 2026 at 10:41 am
Very kind. Thanks😃
@BigPaco213
September 14, 2026 at 9:36 am
getting these for my kid
@ometofu
September 14, 2026 at 10:02 am
where is the camera version?
@itsa1v1n
September 14, 2026 at 11:33 am
@ometofu nowhere, they were just a pretty vague leak, maybe next year
@ometofu
September 14, 2026 at 3:31 pm
@itsa1v1nis true… no real innovation on watch either… this fanboy won’t be buying anything this cycle
@tyroberts2261
September 14, 2026 at 3:42 pm
I think that was a bad rumor. Most women’s hair would block it (and some men’s).
@KingsBic
September 14, 2026 at 5:27 pm
next pro
@Shane7son
September 14, 2026 at 10:53 am
You always have the best Earpod reviews
I really enjoy how you let us hear how our voice and sound quality will sound to other colors on the phone
@grahammcdonald
September 14, 2026 at 11:08 am
Ordered!
@Drrck11
September 14, 2026 at 11:10 am
The AirPods 5 are impressive, but I think I’ll stick with my Jabra 75t.
@CarlosRuiz17
September 14, 2026 at 11:19 am
I was just recently about to get a new pair, so glad I waited a couple more weeks, decent upgrade at that price.
@ofb923
September 14, 2026 at 11:29 am
Bought the base 5’s to use exclusively with my laptop. Had previously been using my old pair of Pro 1’s with my laptop but the case recently stopped taking a charge. Plus I had a $100 gift card so only about $35 out of pocket total!
@txmoney
September 14, 2026 at 11:45 am
Great value proposition from Apple?
It must be, “Coupon Day” at Jurassic Park.
@KL-xv5gj
September 14, 2026 at 12:02 pm
When you took video on the plane, you could have protected the privacy of the passengers at the back 😅
@CNET
September 14, 2026 at 12:04 pm
Read more about Apple AirPods 5 on CNET.com: Apple Introduces New AirPods 5 With Improved Noise Canceling and Lower Price for Step-Up Model
@papadougsadventures
September 14, 2026 at 12:10 pm
I have the Px8 S2 and thats the high end for me. I did just upgrade my Bose Ultra Gen1 to Gen2 for plane rides of any length which I do often. The B&W are uncomfortable after a few hours.
@ronaldguz
September 14, 2026 at 12:14 pm
I own the AirPods 4 but, this one are tempting me to replace them. But will see, I’ll probable wait for a sale on amazon.
@papadougsadventures
September 14, 2026 at 12:21 pm
Please do the Px8 S2 comparison to these
@S.J.G
September 14, 2026 at 12:35 pm
Everyone’s open earbuds > Apple “open earbuds”
@bigfoot286
September 14, 2026 at 12:50 pm
The step up seems worth it for the find me and the volume control
@LHNguyens
September 14, 2026 at 1:34 pm
Damn those mics sounds gooood
@xredrum41x
September 14, 2026 at 2:52 pm
I hate that these earphone companies focus on everything but audio quality of these earphones.
@JayzBeerz
September 14, 2026 at 3:05 pm
Android who? 😂
@Tejanodad
September 14, 2026 at 5:37 pm
How are these considered open earbuds? I thought open earbuds means there’s nothing in the ear canal? I think of open earbuds I think of the bone conducting ones.
@dantechang8556
September 14, 2026 at 6:08 pm
Great earbuds with a lower price
@blackwaterpictures876
September 14, 2026 at 6:41 pm
no mention on sound quality, great review! 😑
@jhonesmith8642
September 14, 2026 at 9:04 pm
Don’t buy them they donr stick or even stay jn ear