AirPods 5 went on sale in Korean stores on September 18, 2026. The price is ₩199,000, and this base model includes active noise cancellation.
With AirPods 4, noise cancellation was only in the higher ₩269,000 model. In this generation, what separates the two models is no longer noise cancellation but the wireless charging case.
AirPods 5 product image — Source: Apple
Launch prices and schedule
Korean list prices of noise-cancelling AirPods compared — Source: self-rendered based on Apple Korea and Edaily prices
Apple announced AirPods 5 on September 9 (US time), and in Korea took pre-orders on September 11 before starting sales on Friday, September 18.
- AirPods 5: ₩199,000 (US $129)
- AirPods 5 with wireless charging case: ₩229,000 (US $149)
- Chip: H2 in both models
- Model numbers: A3530, A3531, A3532 (base), A3439, A3440, A3529 (wireless charging case)
The cheapest noise-cancelling AirPods option dropped by ₩70,000, from ₩269,000 (AirPods 4 with noise cancellation) to ₩199,000. Even matching on wireless charging, it’s ₩229,000, ₩40,000 cheaper than AirPods 4 with noise cancellation.
The main lineup on Apple Korea’s AirPods page currently lists only AirPods 5, AirPods Pro 3, and AirPods Max 2, and AirPods 4 remains only on the model comparison page.
Changes from AirPods 4
Concept image of open-fit noise cancellation — Source: concept image · self-generated with agy
The look and fit are the same as AirPods 4. They’re an open-fit design that rests in the ear without silicone ear tips, so unlike in-ear designs that seal the ear, there’s a gap where sound leaks through. Apple said that within this design, a new multiport acoustic design and improved computational audio algorithms reduce outside noise up to 50% more than AirPods 4 with noise cancellation.
| Item | AirPods 4 ANC | AirPods 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Korean list price | ₩269,000 | ₩199,000 |
| Dust and water resistance | IP54 | IP57 |
| Earbud weight | 4.3g | 4.3g |
| Battery (ANC on) | 4 hours | 4 hours |
| With case (ANC on) | 20 hours | 20 hours |
| Wireless charging | Supported | Not supported |
The dust and water resistance rating went up from IP54 to IP57. The 7 in IP57 is a rating that withstands temporary submersion in water.
On the other hand, the ₩199,000 base model has the same battery as AirPods 4 with noise cancellation, and its case charges only via USB-C.
In a September 15 hands-on, MacRumors judged that noise cancellation was clearly better than AirPods 4 despite having no ear tips. However, it wrote that compared with AirPods Pro 3, the bass and low mids sounded muddy, which can be compensated for with iOS 27’s equalizer adjustments.
Differences between the two models
Stem volume control on the wireless charging case model — Source: Apple
[Wireless charging] Charges with Qi-certified chargers and Apple Watch chargers in addition to USB-C
[Stem volume control] Swipe the stem up and down to adjust volume, a first for open-fit AirPods
[Battery] With ANC on, 5 hours for the earbuds and 22 hours with the case (base model 4 and 20 hours)
[Find My speaker] Speaker built into the case; the base model’s case has none
The case weighs 32.3g for the base model and 34.7g for the wireless charging case model.
Apple explained that the battery on the wireless charging case model increased because the battery was redesigned.
Siri AI and Live Translation
Wearing AirPods 5 — Source: Apple
Many of AirPods 5’s software features only work when the paired iPhone is an Apple Intelligence–capable device (iPhone 15 Pro and later).
Live Translation is turned on by downloading languages in the Translate app and then pressing both stems at the same time or asking Siri. It plays the other person’s speech in your chosen language through the AirPods, and shows your reply as translated text on the iPhone screen. Korean has been a supported language since November 2025, so paired with an iPhone 15 Pro or later, it can be used in Korean from launch.
iOS 27’s Siri AI can be invoked hands-free through AirPods, and it also supports Siri interactions where you nod or shake your head to answer Siri’s questions. However, as of September 2026 Siri AI is an English beta, and Korean is to be added in October.
Comparison with AirPods Pro 3
AirPods Pro 3 product image — Source: Apple
AirPods Pro 3 cost ₩369,000, ₩170,000 more than the AirPods 5 base model.
| Item | AirPods 5 | AirPods Pro 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Noise cancellation | Baseline | Up to 3x |
| Battery (ANC on) | 4 hours | 8 hours |
| Heart rate during workouts | None | Supported |
| Hearing test, hearing aid | None | Supported |
| Fit | Open-fit | In-ear (ear tips) |
Per Apple Korea’s comparison page, AirPods Pro 3’s noise cancellation is up to 3 times stronger than AirPods 5’s.
Looking only at Apple Korea’s main lineup, AirPods 5 is the only AirPods that offers noise cancellation without ear tips.
What to watch next
AirPods 5 launch summary — Source: summary of the article · self-rendered
- Once Korean Siri AI is added in October, AirPods 5’s hands-free features can be used in Korean
- How well Apple’s announced figure of up to 50% noise reduction holds up in independent measurements hasn’t been confirmed yet
- The actual price gap between the old and new models will depend on what price AirPods 4 with noise cancellation clears at in retail channels
Sources
- [Apple Newsroom] Apple introduces AirPods 5 (noise reduction figures, battery, launch schedule)
- [Apple Korea Newsroom] AirPods 5 announcement (Korean prices, pre-order date)
- [Apple Korea] AirPods 5 tech specs (IP57, weight, battery, model numbers)
- [Apple Korea] Compare AirPods models (1.5x and 3x noise cancellation labels, Pro 3 features)
- [Apple Support] AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation tech specs (IP54, weight, battery)
- [Apple Korea Newsroom] Live Translation on AirPods supports Korean (November 2025)
- [Apple Support] Use Live Translation with your AirPods (supported iPhone and AirPods models)
- [Edaily] Price of open-fit AirPods 4 with noise cancelling (AirPods 4 Korean launch price, 2024-09-10)
- [MacRumors] AirPods 5 Hands-On (hands-on, 2026-09-15)