Apple is reportedly preparing two new AirPods 5 models for its September event, including a version with active noise cancellation.
Apple’s September event is shaping up to be much bigger than an iPhone launch. Alongside the expected new iPhones and Apple Watches, the company is reportedly preparing a new generation of its entry-level wireless earbuds: AirPods 5.
According to reports from people familiar with Apple’s plans, the new earbuds could be unveiled at Apple’s September 9 event, where the company is also expected to introduce the iPhone 18 Pro lineup and its first foldable iPhone.
The AirPods update is particularly interesting because Apple appears to be keeping the lineup simple. Two versions are expected: a standard AirPods 5 and another model with active noise cancellation, following the approach Apple introduced with the AirPods 4.
Apple has not officially announced the AirPods 5, so the specifications, prices and final launch date should still be treated as unconfirmed.
Two Models, One Familiar Strategy
The AirPods 5 are expected to replace the current AirPods 4, which launched in 2024.
The basic structure is reportedly staying familiar. Buyers could again choose between a lower-cost version without ANC and a more expensive model equipped with active noise cancellation.
That would allow Apple to keep its entry-level AirPods range broad without pushing customers toward the considerably more expensive AirPods Pro.
The move also suggests Apple is treating noise cancellation as an increasingly important feature even outside its premium earbuds.
Apple has not revealed the technical specifications of the new models. References to unreleased AirPods hardware have reportedly appeared in recent macOS code, however, providing additional evidence that new earbuds are in development.
Don’t Expect the Camera AirPods Yet
One of the more interesting parts of Apple’s wearable strategy is actually what isn’t coming this year.
Apple has reportedly been working on AirPods equipped with small cameras that could work with Siri and AI-powered visual features. Those earbuds have attracted attention because they would turn AirPods into something closer to an AI wearable than a traditional pair of headphones.
But that project is now reportedly delayed until 2027.
The camera-equipped AirPods are understood to be a separate product from the AirPods 5. The cameras would be aimed at allowing the earbuds to understand the user’s surroundings and provide contextual information through Apple’s AI systems rather than functioning like conventional action cameras.
That delay makes the AirPods 5 launch much more conventional.
Apple appears to be updating the product it already sells while continuing to develop a more ambitious AI-oriented wearable for later.
What Could Actually Change?
This is where the AirPods 5 story becomes harder to predict.
Apple has not disclosed whether the new earbuds will receive a major redesign, longer battery life, improved microphones or a new audio chip. Current reports are much more confident about the existence of two models than about their specifications.
Some reports have pointed to a possible new chip, but that detail remains unconfirmed.
The AirPods 4 already brought several features from Apple’s more expensive models into the entry-level range, particularly on the ANC version. That means Apple has less room to make dramatic changes without affecting the positioning of AirPods Pro.
The biggest improvements may therefore be relatively practical: better battery efficiency, stronger noise cancellation, improved call quality and tighter integration with Apple’s expanding AI features.
For Apple, that last part could become increasingly important.
The company is moving toward a more AI-heavy ecosystem, with Siri, Apple Intelligence and wearable computing becoming bigger parts of its strategy. AirPods are already deeply integrated with the iPhone, making them an obvious platform for future AI functions.
September 9 Could Be a Big Day for Apple’s Wearables
Apple has officially confirmed a special event for September 9 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time. The company has not said which products will be announced, but the event is expected to introduce a new generation of major Apple hardware.
The reported AirPods 5 launch would give the event another consumer product with a much broader audience than the iPhone alone.
And unlike the rumored camera-equipped AirPods, the fifth-generation earbuds are not trying to invent an entirely new product category.
They are simply Apple’s next attempt to make one of its most popular accessories better.
That may actually be the smarter move for 2026.
Apple has spent years building AirPods into one of the most recognizable wireless-audio products on the market. With two new versions reportedly arriving this month, the company appears ready to refresh that formula before it makes the much bigger leap into AI-powered earbuds and glasses.
For now, the main question is no longer whether Apple is preparing new AirPods. The question is how much has actually changed inside them.
We should get the answer on September 9.
