GSMArena's AirPods 5 Review Finds ANC Ambitious but Battery Life Limiting

GSMArena’s review of Apple’s AirPods 5 finds an unusually capable open-ear design whose strengths are also constrained by its form factor. The publication says the earbuds deliver surprisingly enjoyable sound for an open design and calls them among the best-sounding open-ear earbuds it has tested. It also credits Apple’s H2-based feature set, including Spatial Audio with head tracking, automatic device switching, Conversation Awareness and Find My.

Open-ear advantages, open-ear compromises

The review’s verdict is more cautious on noise cancellation: AirPods 5 can reduce low-frequency rumble, but the open fit leaves much of the upper-frequency environment audible. GSMArena says ANC calibration can take several seconds and may restart if an earbud moves. The reviewer found the fit comfortable, but warns that ear shapes vary, so stability and comfort are not universal.

Battery is the main warning

Apple’s launch material lists up to five hours of ANC playback for the Wireless Charging Case model; GSMArena measured 5 hours 11 minutes in its continuous ANC test and 7 hours 29 minutes with ANC disabled. The review says the standard version is rated for four hours with ANC, while the pricier model adds the wireless case, volume swipe and a case speaker. Apple’s announced U.S. launch prices were $129 for AirPods 5 and $149 for the Wireless Charging Case version.

Compared with AirPods Pro, AirPods 5 remain open-ear and omit Pro-specific in-ear isolation and hearing features. Apple says full functionality requires a current Apple device; Android pairing works, but many features do not. Live Translation and Apple Intelligence also depend on supported devices, languages and regions.

Sources

• GSMArena — Apple AirPods 5 review
• Apple Newsroom — AirPods 5 launch announcement
• Apple — Compare AirPods models
• Apple — AirPods Pro