[DigitalToday Seungah Yoo, intern reporter] Apple has unveiled the AirPods 5 with active noise cancelling (ANC) included as standard. It reduces up to 50 percent more external noise than the ANC model of the AirPods 4. It also strengthens features including real-time translation and Siri AI. The price in South Korea starts from 199,000 won.

On Sept. 9 (local time), Apple and foreign media reported that AirPods 5 will be sold in stores from Sept. 18. Preorders began that day in the United States and elsewhere. In South Korea, preorders will be accepted from 10 a.m. on Sept. 11. The base model costs 199,000 won, and the model that includes a wireless charging case costs 229,000 won.

The biggest change in AirPods 5 is that it offers ANC as a standard feature. AirPods 4 was launched at 199,000 won, but its ANC model was priced at 269,000 won. AirPods 5 supports ANC from the base model. The wireless charging case model adds longer battery life and a feature that lets users adjust volume by swiping the stem up or down.

ANC performance has also been improved. Apple said it applied a new multi-port acoustic structure and improved computational audio algorithms to reduce up to 50 percent more external noise than the AirPods 4 ANC model. It also improved transparency mode so users can hear people’s voices and surrounding sounds more naturally. Adaptive Audio automatically adjusts ANC and transparency mode depending on the surrounding environment.

The conversation awareness feature automatically lowers the volume of media playing when the user starts speaking. On the wireless charging case model, users can adjust volume by swiping up or down on the stem. This expands a feature previously provided on AirPods Pro to open-fit AirPods.

Audio quality has also been improved. Apple explained that it applied a new acoustic structure and next-generation adaptive EQ to provide sound quality suited to a wider range of ear shapes and increase immersion with personalised spatial audio.

Battery life varies by model. With ANC on, the base model can be used for up to 4 hours on a single charge, and the wireless charging case model for up to 5 hours. With the wireless charging case, users can listen for up to 22 hours with ANC on. The case can be charged using an Apple Watch charger and a Qi charger.

AI features have also been strengthened. Apple said it provides Siri AI and real-time translation on AirPods 5, and users can respond to Siri by nodding or shaking their head. Dave Pakula (데이브 파쿨라), Apple’s vice president of hardware engineering, explained that AirPods 5 expands hands-free functions through real-time translation and Siri AI.

AirPods 5 keeps its price at the level of the previous base model while including ANC as standard and strengthening audio quality, transparency mode, battery and AI features. It is seen as a strategy to boost product competitiveness by offering key features of higher-end models in entry-level AirPods.