AirPods 5
Points and comments are a snapshot, not live.
Apple announced AirPods 5 with open-ear active noise cancellation and volume swipe controls.
Apple introduced AirPods 5 on September 9, 2026, featuring what it calls best-in-class open-ear Active Noise Cancellation. The new model adds a force sensor with volume swipe capability, a first for the open-ear form factor, allowing users to adjust volume by swiping up or down on the stem. The product is positioned as a step up from previous non-Pro AirPods.
What commenters are saying
Commenters largely mocked Apple's marketing framing of volume swipe controls as a new breakthrough, noting the feature has existed on competing earbuds like Huawei FreeBuds, Galaxy Buds, and Bose QC earbuds for years. Several users defended the addition as a reasonable upgrade from base to non-Pro models. Some commenters debated stem length: a few preferred shorter stems for aesthetics, while others argued longer stems improved mic placement and battery life.