Apple is expected to announce the AirPods 5 on September 9, according to reports from multiple sources, though the earbuds will launch in two versions — one with active noise cancellation (ANC) and one without, continuing the format used for the AirPods 4. The company will also reportedly include new microphone and acoustic upgrades borrowed from the AirPods Pro line, aiming to improve call clarity and Siri accuracy, according to Notebookcheck.

Pricing and Availability

If Apple follows its usual launch pattern, preorders for the AirPods 5 will open on September 9, with availability expected around September 18. According to reports, the pricing is likely to stay consistent with the current AirPods 4 lineup: $129 for the standard model and $179 for the ANC version. Some rumors suggest the inclusion of Bluetooth LE Audio, though no official confirmation has been made; the AirPods 4 have already seen a 25% on Amazon ahead of the new model’s launch, according to Notebookcheck.

Apple avoided price hikes for the AirPods when it increased prices on many other products in June due to higher memory costs; However, if the AirPods 5 include a new H3 audio chip, as some leaks suggest, a price increase could follow, according to Notebookcheck.

Camera-Equipped AirPods Delayed to 2027

While there has been speculation about AirPods with built-in cameras, Mark Gurman at Bloomberg has confirmed that these models won’t arrive until 2027. A leaked demo video of the camera-equipped AirPods appeared in the macOS 26.7 release candidate, but no concrete design details were visible, according to Caschys Blog.

These camera-equipped models are expected to introduce Visual Intelligence and enhanced Siri functionality by capturing environmental data. The 2027 timeline also aligns with Gurman’s recent report stating that the camera-equipped AirPods are still in development and are not expected at the September event.

No Major Design Changes Expected

While Apple has been gradually improving features beyond audio, such as spatial audio and dynamic head tracking — the AirPods 5 are not expected to undergo a major design overhaul. The current AirPods 3 and 4 share a similar look, and there is no indication that the fifth generation will break this pattern, according to Applesfera. The new models will likely feature minor sensor adjustments but no significant redesign.

Historically, Apple has refreshed its AirPods every 1.5 to 2.5 years, the AirPods 5 launch in September 2025 fits this timeline, as the AirPods 4 were released in 2024. According to Applesfera, the timing for the AirPods 5 aligns with the usual cadence of updates and is expected to coincide with the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Ultra launch on September 9.

Apple is also expected to announce an OLED-equipped iPad mini alongside the AirPods 5 and new iPhone models at the September event, according to Notebookcheck.

With no major design changes and a likely price freeze, the AirPods 5 are expected to focus on incremental improvements in audio quality, call clarity, and integration with Apple’s network. However, the absence of camera features in this year’s release means users will have to wait until 2027 for the next major innovation in the AirPods lineup.