Apple AirPods 5 (Wireless Charging Case): A3439 / A3440 / A3441; A3529 wireless case; white
Apple AirPods (3rd generation): AirPods (3rd generation) launched in 2021 with the MagSafe Charging Case; from 2022 a version with the Lightning Charging Case was also sold. The earbuds are the same with either case. AirPods 4, AirPods 2 and AirPods Pro are separate models.
| Specification | Apple AirPods 5 (Wireless Charging Case) | Apple AirPods (3rd generation) |
|---|---|---|
| Release year | 2026 | 2021 |
| Announcement / availability | 9 / 18 September 2026 Apple | — |
| Chip | Apple H2 Apple | — |
| Noise control | ANC, Adaptive Audio, Transparency Apple | — |
| Audio | Custom dynamic driver; Adaptive EQ Apple | — |
| Spatial audio | Dynamic head tracking Apple | — |
| Sensors | Optical in-ear sensor; motion and speech accelerometers Apple | — |
| Microphones | Dual beamforming and inward-facing microphones Apple | — |
| Controls | Press controls; swipe volume adjustment Apple | Press the stem once to play/pause or answer a call; twice to skip forward or end a call; three times to skip back; press and hold for Siri Apple |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 Apple | — |
| Earbud battery life | Up to 5 hours ANC on / 7 hours off Apple | — |
| Total with case | Up to 22 hours with ANC on Apple | — |
| Quick charge | 5 minutes in case: about 1 hour listening Apple | — |
| Charging case | USB-C; Qi and Apple Watch chargers Apple | MagSafe Charging Case (MagSafe, Qi and Lightning) or Lightning Charging Case Apple |
| Find My | Speaker in case Apple | — |
| Protection | IP57 Apple | — |
| Earbud size / weight | 30.2 × 18.3 × 18.1 mm; 4.3 g each Apple | — |
| Case size / weight | 46.2 × 50.1 × 21.2 mm; 34.7 g Apple | — |
| Other devices | Bluetooth audio; some features require Apple devices Apple | — |
| Case compatibility | A3529 pairs only with wireless-case AirPods 5 earbuds Apple | — |
| Design and fit | — | Open-fit in-ear design without silicone tips; short stem Apple |
| Audio technology | — | Custom high-excursion Apple driver; custom high dynamic range amplifier; Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking; Adaptive EQ Apple |
| Chip and connectivity | — | H1 headphone chip; Bluetooth 5.0 Apple |
| Sensors and microphones | — | Dual beamforming microphones, inward-facing microphone, skin-detect sensor, motion and speech-detecting accelerometers, force sensor Apple |
| Battery | — | Up to 6 hours of listening per charge (5 hours with Personalised Spatial Audio on); up to 30 hours with the case; 5 minutes in the case ≈ 1 hour of listening Apple |
| Sweat and water resistance | — | IPX4: earbuds and charging case Apple |
| Size and weight | — | Earbud (each): 30.79 × 18.26 × 19.21 mm, 4.28 g; case: 46.40 × 54.40 × 21.38 mm, 37.91 g Apple |