When I two years ago reviewed AirPods 4s ANC, I was really excited about them. Apple because at that time he managed to get very decent active noise cancellation, excellent sound and many features known from more expensive headphones into a classic headphone design AirPods Pro, while wrapping it all up in a product that made a lot of sense for the price. In fact, I ended my review at the time by saying that I AirI fell in love with the Pods 4 and I definitely won't be getting rid of them for the next few years. Apple However, this plan was somewhat thwarted by me. After just two years, the AirPods 5 and I started using them instead of the "fours" for testing. So what is this new headphone for someone who is without AirPods literally can't even imagine his life anymore, can he?
There is no better timing.
Before we get into the evaluation AirI'll release the Pods 5, and I'll allow myself a few lines of thought at the beginning. At first glance, it might seem that two years is too short a time for a generational change in headphones. After a few weeks with AirBut I actually think that Pods 5 in my ears Apple their arrival was timed quite brilliantly. The first owners AirPods 4, which I also belong to, may have been used intensively for two years at this point, which can start to affect the battery in particular, and it is at this point that the transition to the new generation starts to make much more sense. Especially since AirThe Pods 5 are better than their predecessors in virtually every important way.
On paper, the revolution is not happening, but that doesn't matter. Apple this time he took very good headphones, removed some of their flaws, added a little something and the result is simply even better AirSubs.
As for testing, a higher version specifically arrived at my office. AirPods 5 with wireless charging case for 3990 CZK/149 USD/149 EUR, which differs surprisingly little from the basic model for 3490 CZK/129 USD/169 EUR. Unlike the previous generation, both versions of the basic AirPods offers ANC or if you want active noise cancellation and everything related to this function. The additional charge of 500 CZK, or 20 USD or EUR, is therefore on the one hand negligible, but on the other hand, perhaps much more to consider than it was before. But more on that later. Pro What is important for you to know at this moment is that in terms of sound, design and all other important aspects, they are cheaper and more expensive. AirPods 5 are identical and therefore everything I write below applies to both varianty.
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Design that Apple had no reason to dig
From a design perspective, AirDon't expect any revolution from Pods 5, and I'm actually glad for that. AirPods have developed such a distinctive look over the past ten years that it wouldn't make much sense to me to come up with changes just to make the new generation different at first glance. AirPods 5 continue to rely on an open earbud design based on the EarPods without silicone tips and short legs, and in my opinion this design is still one of the main reasons why after the classic AirPods reach instead of model Pro.
I personally am one of those users who simply likes the earbuds. A person's ear canal is not sealed with a silicone plug, the headphones are light and do not cause any significant discomfort in my ears even after listening for a long time. Of course, there is still the big "but" typical of practically all AirPods from their first generation – each ear fits a little differently. So if you like the shape of the classic AirPods have historically not been suitable, AirPods 5 probably won't save you.
The earphones are very compact in size. Each measures 30,2 x 18,3 x 18,1 mm and weighs 4,3 grams. The case of the higher version itself is 46,2 x 50,1 x 21,2 mm and weighs 34,7 grams. Compared to AirSo with Pods 4 we are talking about an equally compact solution that you can easily throw in your pocket and after a while you won't even know it's there.
A nice change is the IP57 resistance instead of IP54. AirPods 4, which also applies not only to the headphones themselves, but also to the case. The headphones should therefore be able to withstand immersion in water to a depth of 1 meter for 30 minutes, with or without the case, which is not bad at all. Especially for a product that you wear while exercising, in the rain or constantly take out of your pocket, this is an upgrade that won't make anyone run to the store, but I definitely welcome it.
In the more expensive version you will find one more thing taken from AirPods Pro, and that is the ability to change the volume by swiping your finger along the earpiece stem. I already wrote in my first impressions that it works very reliably, and even further use has not changed anything. However, I personally still very often adjust the volume via the Digital Crown on Apple Watch, so this particular feature is not something I would necessarily need to pay extra for. On the other hand, if Apple Watch If you don't wear headphones and don't always want to reach for your phone to control the volume, or if you are generally used to controlling what you listen to through headphones, you will experience a solid step forward here.
However, in order not to just praise, it is necessary to draw attention to the ailment from which all previous generations suffered AirPods and which ones Apple I'm specifically referring to the shiny white charging case, whose surface is literally a magnet for scratches.ance. Even with normal use of the headphones, such as carrying them in your pocket, placing them on a table, and so on, expect that the glossy surface of the case will eventually become filled with micro-scratches, which are usually only visible from a certain angle, but are of course not pleasing.
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The sound has improved, but don't expect miracles
The most important thing about any headphone is of course the sound, and here, after longer use, I can repeat practically the same thing I wrote after the first few hours with it. AirPods 5 in the ears. So the sound is simply really a little better than AirPods 4, but even after about two weeks I don't want to say that the difference is huge and I certainly wouldn't say that after using the new generation you will feel like you are hearing your music library for the first time. But if you compare both generations side by side, you can hear the difference.
I notice it most in the bass component. The bass feels thicker, more natural, and adds a bit more life to the sound without being too loud. Apple slipped towards their exaggerated emphasis. The mids and highs also work a little better for me and overall I would like the sound AirHe described the Pods 5 as fuller, livelier, cleaner, more pleasant and more natural. But as I say, it's not a major leap, but rather a somewhat expected step forward.
The reason behind the sound improvement is according to Apple a newly designed multi-port acoustic architecture and a new generation of adaptive equalization that adjusts the sound to the shape of the ears across a wider frequency range. But most importantly, in my opinion, it is Applu managed to shift the sound without fundamentally changing its character. So if you liked them AirPods 4, AirThe Pods 5 will simply sound a little better to you. Certainly not by a class and certainly not dramatically, but better in practically every way and most importantly in the way it is for AirPods in short and well characterized.
At the same time, of course, it is necessary to keep expectations in check when comparing with AirPods Pro 3, which are still further away in sound. Sound Pro In my opinion, the model has more space, plasticity, and overall it feels even richer, which is of course also helped by the earplug design and better sealing of the ear canal. AirSo definitely don't consider Pods 5 as a cheaper replacement. AirPods Pro 3. In my opinion, they are more of an alternative for people who want a solid construction, not a competitor that should Pro remove the model from its position.
ANC it's better, but you can't fool physics
A very similar story plays out with active noise cancellation. When it Apple two years ago he got into AirPods 4, I was surprised at how well it can do ANC in open-back headphones. U AirPods 5 managed to push it a little further, but it's probably not entirely surprising that it's no longer the "wow effect" that it was with the previous generation.
Apple specifically, it talks about up to 1,5 times more effective ANC against AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation and although of course I can't say whether the cancellation is actually exactly one and a half times better, the difference is noticeable in a direct comparison. Normal street noise, cars, conversations of people around you or monotonous sounds can AirPods 5 suppress noise better, allowing you to concentrate better on music or podcasts at lower ambient noise levels.
However, as with sound, you can't fool physics. AirThe Pods 5 don't seal your ear canal, so sudden, loud noises are the ones that get into your ears. You can still hear a car horn, a scream, or a crying child quite easily, but less so than in previous generations. AirPods Pro 3 are in a completely different place in this respect. After all, he himself Apple to their credit, it states that their ANC is up to three times more effective than AirPods 5. So if you primarily want the best possible soundproofing, for example on an airplane, public transport or in a noisyancellers, AirPods Pro 3 will still be a better choice.
By the way, I just ANC I've become quite fond of it lately, even without any audio playing in my headphones, because it helps me stay focused at work at home with my one-year-old daughter. And while the previous generation was able to ANC It was very good at muting the TV, but it couldn't completely drown out the wife talking to her daughter, ANC u AirPods 5 can even "submerge" my wife's voice better, allowing me to concentrate better. Sure, ANC as such it is still based on a certain "noise" which is audible without the audio turned on, but with AirPods 5 is certainly no more intrusive than previous generations.
A big benefit of this generation AirPods for me is undoubtedly that ANC already Apple offered in both versions AirPods 5, which I consider a very good decision. U AirPods 4, active noise cancellation was one of the main reasons to go for the more expensive ones variaThis year, you will also get this feature in the cheaper version, making it more accessible and user-friendly.
Next to ANC are then at AirThe Pods 5 also come with active noise cancellation features. Specifically, we're talking about Adaptive Sound, Transparency Mode, and Conversation Detection, which automatically mutes playback when you start talking to someone and restores the volume when the conversation ends. It's nothing we'd expect from the ecosystem. AirThey didn't know about Pods, but it works well and in combination with better ANC it makes of AirPods 5 are very comfortable headphones for everyday wear.
The microphones haven't moved, but that doesn't matter.
I don't know about you, but I personally use AirI also use the Pods very often to make phone calls because they keep my hands free for other work. It is therefore clear that the quality of the microphone is really important to me and although there Apple intergenerationally, on paper and by extension, even silently, nothing has changed, I actually don't mind it at all. Voice recording at AirPods 5 is again at a very high level and in the vast majority of cases the other party will hear you clearly, distinctly and overall cleanly. Calls from AirI tested the Pods 5 both indoors and outdoors in light winds, and the headphones always did a really good job of picking up my voice, and the other party could hear me without any problems. So, again, they are a reliable partner for phone calls.
The endurance is better, but the higher model reveals one peculiarity
For the tested higher version Apple claims up to 5 hours of listening time on a single charge with the device turned on ANC and up to 7 hours with the noise filter off. With the case, you can get up to 22 hours with the noise filter on. ANC. Five minutes in the case is enough for about another hour of use, which is a really useful feature for me, considering that when I go for a run, I often find that my headphones are dead just before I start running, so I quickly put them on charge and before I stretch in front of the house, they are minicharged for about an hour.
Compared to AirPods 4 has better battery life for each earbud, which I welcome all the more since the battery is one of the things that can be a problem with earbuds that have been used for several years. AirPods will gradually start to sound. And this is where I think it becomes clear why the arrival of AirPods 5 after only two years is actually very well timed. Who bought AirPods 4 right in 2024 and uses them intensively every day, you may start to notice, like me, that the battery is not what it used to be. At such a moment, switching to AirPods 5 is not just a quest for slightly better sound or ANC, but also a natural replacement of worn-out accessories for their better successors. I must objectively say that the battery in AirPods have improved a lot in recent years and their capacity is certainly not decreasing as quickly as it used to (AirI got about an hour of talk time out of the 1st generation Pods after two years of use), however, active daily use will logically have its effect on newer generations as well.
However, the situation surrounding the two versions seems a bit paradoxical to me. AirPods 5. More expensive variaThe one I'm testing will last with ANC five hours, while the basic cheaper one lasts four hours. The more expensive model also adds wireless charging using Qi or a charger for Apple Watch, the case speaker for the Find function and the aforementioned volume control by swiping on the foot, and that's practically all that's important.
So both are sound varianty the same and both offer the same ANC. And quite honestly, if I had to AirPods 5 buy, cheaper variaI wouldn't worry about it at all this year. The five hundred crown surcharge is not dramatic and I like wireless charging, so I definitely see the point of the higher version. But I definitely wouldn't say this time that it is automatically a better purchase for most users. If you normally charge the case via USB-C, the extra hour of battery life is not essential for you and you adjust the volume via iPhone whether Apple Watch, you get it at cheaper prices AirPods 5 practically the same experience for less money.
Summary
Rate AirAs a wireless lover, the Pods 5 are for me Apple headphones are actually quite simple. Apple took AirThe Pods 4, which I already considered excellent headphones two years ago, have taken them a step further in practically every important way. The sound is better, ANC It's more efficient, the battery life has increased, the resistance has been increased to IP57, and the higher version has added convenient volume control directly on the earpiece. None of this is revolutionary in itself, but when you add up all the changes, you simply get better AirSubs.
At the same time, I would like to thank the owners of two-year-old AirPods 4 didn't say to throw them away immediately and run for the next generation. If they still serve you well and the battery lasts, in my opinion there is literally nothing you can suddenly live without. Just old age AirBut I think Pods 4 makes the timing of the new generation a very smart move Applu. The first units have been with people since 2024 and in intensively used headphones the battery can be noticeably worn out after two years. So if you are getting to the stage where you are starting to think about replacing it anyway, AirThe Pods 5 are a completely logical successor.
This year's decision to offer ANC for both variant, which is why I would consider carefully this time whether you even need the more expensive version I tested, because you actually get less for the extra cost this time than you did with AirPods 4.
So if you have AirPods 4 in good condition, feel free to stick with them. But if their battery starts to lose its life after two years, you are using an older generation or are simply looking for classic pods AirPods, I can't stand it. AirThe Pods 5 are looking for something that would make me not recommend them. They are not a revolution, nor do they try to be. They are just slightly better than the already great previous generation in all important ways, and sometimes that is exactly the upgrade that is needed.
