AirPods 5 Review Australia: Are Apple’s New Earbuds Worth Buying in 2026?

Apple has introduced the AirPods 5, bringing several premium audio features to its popular open-ear wireless earbuds.

With improved Active Noise Cancellation, better sound, Siri AI integration and Live Translation, the new AirPods are designed to offer a smarter everyday listening experience.

But are they worth upgrading to?

Improved Active Noise Cancellation

One of the biggest AirPods 5 upgrades is Active Noise Cancellation.

Apple says AirPods 5 can remove up to 50% more external noise than AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation. Unlike traditional in-ear earbuds that use silicone tips, AirPods 5 maintain Apple’s familiar open-ear design.

This could make them particularly attractive to people who want noise cancellation but don’t enjoy the sealed feeling of in-ear headphones.

Apple has also improved Transparency mode, which allows surrounding sounds and voices to pass through when you need to stay aware of what’s happening around you.

Better Sound

Inside AirPods 5 is a redesigned multiport acoustic architecture combined with Apple’s next-generation Adaptive EQ.

Adaptive EQ automatically adjusts the audio depending on how the AirPods sit in your ears, helping provide a more consistent listening experience.

Whether you’re listening to music, podcasts, watching movies or taking calls, Apple is putting greater emphasis on delivering a richer experience from its standard AirPods range.

Siri AI Comes to AirPods

AirPods are also becoming increasingly connected to Apple’s AI ecosystem.

When paired with a compatible iPhone, AirPods 5 support Apple’s latest Siri AI functionality.

Users can interact with Siri hands-free and even respond to some Siri interactions using head gestures.

This can be particularly convenient when you’re walking, exercising, cooking or travelling and don’t want to reach for your phone.

Live Translation

Another interesting feature is Live Translation.

With a compatible Apple device and supported languages, AirPods can assist users when communicating with someone speaking another language.

For frequent travellers or people working in multilingual environments, this could become one of the most useful additions to the AirPods experience.

Battery Life

The AirPods 5 version with the Wireless Charging Case provides up to five hours of listening with ANC enabled.

Combined with the charging case, Apple states that users can receive up to 22 hours of listening with ANC.

The wireless case supports:

• Qi-compatible wireless chargers
• Apple Watch chargers
• USB-C charging

The upgraded version also introduces volume swipe controls directly on the AirPods stem.

Better Resistance for Everyday Use

Apple has also improved resistance to dust, sweat and water.

That makes AirPods 5 better suited to everyday commuting, exercising and outdoor use, although they should not be treated as fully waterproof earbuds.

AirPods 5 Australian Price

Apple has announced two versions for Australia:

AirPods 5 — A$219 RRP

AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case — A$249 RRP

Australian availability begins 18 September 2026.

For only A$30 more, the Wireless Charging Case version adds useful extras including wireless charging, improved battery capability and on-stem volume control.

Who Should Consider AirPods 5?

AirPods 5 make the most sense for:

• iPhone users wanting seamless Apple integration
• People who dislike silicone-tip earbuds
• Commuters wanting Active Noise Cancellation
• Students listening to music, lectures and podcasts
• Travellers interested in Live Translation
• Existing AirPods owners using much older generations

Owners of very recent AirPods may have less reason to upgrade unless the improved ANC and new AI features are particularly important.

NexTech Take

AirPods 5 bring several previously premium features into Apple’s mainstream earbuds.

The combination of improved ANC, better sound, Siri AI, Live Translation and Apple’s familiar open-ear design makes them an interesting option for iPhone users in 2026.

For buyers choosing between the two versions, the A$249 Wireless Charging Case model may offer the more complete experience for the relatively small difference in price.

Looking for your next pair of wireless earbuds? Explore the latest headphones and earbuds at NexTech.