Where to preorder the Apple AirPods 5
Apple has opened preorders for the AirPods 5 ahead of their September 18 launch, the same day Apple releases new Apple Watch and iPhone Pro models. The earbuds arrive in two tiers: a $129 base model that adds active noise cancellation and a $149 upgraded version with wireless charging and extra features.
Why It Matters
Bringing active noise cancellation to the $129 AirPods model makes ANC available at a lower price point than before, and the AirPods 5 rollout coincides with multiple high-profile Apple product launches on September 18, concentrating major device releases on the same day.
Key Facts
- Launch date: September 18, 2026
- Preorder available from: Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, Apple
- Base model price: $129
- Upgraded model price: $149
- New feature on base model: Active noise cancellation added to $129 model (previously only on $179 AirPods 4 with ANC)
Apple has begun taking preorders for the AirPods 5, which will reach stores on September 18. The new buds arrive alongside other Apple hardware scheduled for the same day, including the Apple Watch Series 12, Apple Watch Ultra 4, and the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max.
This generation comes in two configurations. The lower-priced $129 version now includes active noise cancellation, a capability that had been limited to the pricier $179 AirPods 4 with ANC. Buyers looking to preorder can do so through Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, or Apple's own storefront.
For customers who want additional features, Apple is offering a $149 model that adds a wireless charging case, longer battery life, and touch controls built into the earbud stem that let users adjust volume without reaching for a phone. That upgraded model is also listed for preorder at Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, and Apple.
The Verge is preparing a full review of the AirPods 5; meanwhile, shoppers ready to buy can place preorders now through the retailers listed. The rollout ties the AirPods 5 launch to a broader wave of Apple device releases on September 18, giving buyers several new options to consider at once.
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Original source: The Verge