AirPods 5 Released: Lower Price Than Previous Model with Improved Noise Cancellation Performance

Apple's new AirPods 5 have been released at a lower price than the previous model, yet they feature enhanced noise cancellation (ANC) performance. According to the Alright Studio - Digital Shopping Guide video, this new product has become approximately 70,000 won cheaper compared to the existing AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation, despite the improved noise cancellation performance.

Background of Lower Price and Performance Improvement Compared to the Previous Model

The launch price for the AirPods 5 is 199,000 won for the standard model and 229,000 won for the wireless charging model. This is approximately 70,000 won lower than the launch price of the previous AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation, which was 269,000 won. Additionally, while the previous model was divided into a standard model and a noise cancellation model, this AirPods 5 features noise cancellation in both the standard model and the wireless charging model. In the case of the wireless charging model, it is 30,000 won more expensive than the standard model, but compared to the noise cancellation model of the previous generation, it is actually about 40,000 won cheaper.

The video speculated on two reasons for this price reduction. First, as the market for cost-effective earphones under 100,000 won grows, Apple needs to secure price competitiveness. The analysis suggests there is a limit to how much Apple can raise prices in a market environment where many low-priced products equipped with design, noise cancellation, sound quality, and battery performance are increasing. Second is the product's design structure. Although the AirPods 5 apply a new multi-port acoustic architecture and next-generation Adaptive EQ, the overall framework—including the design, size, weight, and the core H2 chip—is identical to the AirPods 4. By utilizing the proven design and platform, they were able to save on development and production costs to some extent, and this appears to be reflected in the price.

Top-Tier Noise Cancellation Performance Among Open-Type Earphones

The biggest change in the AirPods 5 is the noise cancellation performance. The presenter in the video evaluated that the noise cancellation performance of the AirPods 5 has risen to about 70% to 80% of the level of the AirPods Pro 3. In particular, they emphasized that despite being open-type earphones, they effectively capture the sound of passing cars, low-frequency noise from subways or buses, and the murmuring sounds of cafes. The presenter shared that when walking at night without playing music loudly, the surroundings were so quiet that they wondered, "Is this really an open-type?"

The noise cancellation works by strongly reducing repetitive low-frequency noises while leaving some high-frequency sounds that occur momentarily. As a result, there is less of the "stuffy" feeling characteristic of in-ear (canal-type) earphones, which can provide high satisfaction to users who prefer open-type designs. However, for users who want to focus solely on music in a completely quiet environment, the AirPods Pro 3 may be more suitable. Regarding sound quality, it was explained that the bass feels firmer and the treble feels clearer compared to the previous model, but the sensation is not as dramatic as the noise cancellation.

Differences Between Models and Recommended Target Buyers

The AirPods 5 is divided into a standard model and a wireless charging model. While the sound quality and noise cancellation performance of the two models are identical, differences arise in convenience features. The wireless charging model is equipped with a volume control function via swiping and a 'Find My' speaker function. Additionally, the battery capacity of the wireless charging model is 22 hours, which is 2 hours longer than the 20 hours of the standard model. The presenter suggested that with a price difference of only 30,000 won, it is advantageous to choose the wireless charging model considering the swipe function and the 'Find My' function for loss prevention.

A guide for target buyers was also provided. The AirPods 5 is strongly recommended for users currently using models from the AirPods (3rd generation) or below, or users purchasing AirPods for the first time. On the other hand, for users who are already using the AirPods Pro series, prefer the snug fit of in-ear earphones, or recently purchased the AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation, the benefit of switching to this new product does not seem to be significant. In particular, users who enjoy intense exercise or running need to be careful so that they do not fall out of the ears due to the nature of the open-type design.