AirPods Pro 4, AirPods 5: What We Know Now on Release, Specs, Features and Price

Apple's next wave of wireless earbuds is already stirring excitement. While AirPods Pro 4 and AirPods 5 remain unreleased, leaks, analyst forecasts and patent filings suggest they could redefine what we expect from earbuds, with health sensors, on-device AI, camera modules, and more intelligent noise control.

As Apple's hardware roadmap tightens, fans and critics alike are watching for when these upgrades will land.

Current Baseline: What AirPods 4 Already Offer

Apple launched the AirPods 4 in September 2024, with availability starting 20 September.

The standard model retails for US$129, and the ANC version is priced at US$179.

Specs:

• Open-fit (tipless) design
• H2 chip powering spatial audio, Siri, and connectivity
• Battery life: up to 5 hours listening (4 hours with ANC) and up to 30 hours total with charging case (or 20 hours with ANC)
• Charging case offers a built-in speaker for Find My, USB-C charging, and wireless charging compatibility (Qi / Apple Watch)
• Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity

The ANC model's case also supports Find My features and includes a built-in speaker.

Reviewers acknowledge ANC is a big advance for a tipless design, but note that open-fit geometry limits deep noise blocking compared to in-ear earbuds.

New firmware enhancements also bring features such as Live Translation to AirPods 4 with ANC and AirPods Pro 2 under iOS 26, according to Engadget.

In reviews, commentators highlighted the addition of ANC as a significant step up. However, they noted that the open design limits the effectiveness of noise cancellation compared to in-ear models.

Given that AirPods 4 now set the baseline, the expectations for future models aim for incremental but meaningful improvements.

AirPods 5: Rumours, leaks and expectations

Most analysts and rumour sites suggest that AirPods 5 will not arrive until 2027, according to SoundGuys.

Some sources, however, leave open the possibility of an earlier appearance if Apple accelerates its update cycle, according to 9 to 5Mac.

Design and Fit Enhancements

One of the more recurrent rumours is that AirPods 5 could adopt attachable ear hooks to improve stability and fit.

According to SoundGuys, these hooks might wrap behind the ear, but without turning the device into full in-ear models.

This approach would aim to combine comfort and retention without losing the ambient awareness that open designs preserve.

Health Sensors and Activity Tracking

Several reports indicate that Apple could enhance AirPods 5 with heart-rate monitoring via optical sensors that gauge blood flow inside the ear.

Such biosensing functionality is consistent with Apple's broader push into health features through its wearable line, according to Lifewire.

Beyond heart rate, TechRadar reported about speculations but no firm evidence yet that additional metrics (temperature, SpO₂, etc.) might be added.

Performance, Chip and Connectivity

Rumour mills point to a next-generation chip (sometimes referred to as H3) bringing gains in audio processing, energy efficiency, and connectivity.

Connectivity updates may include improved Bluetooth or ultra-wideband (UWB) refinements, according to TechRadar.

Battery, Charging and Power

No reliable leaks have surfaced yet that detail battery capacity, charging speed or enhancements.

But incremental improvements in power efficiency or charging options are expected by many observers.

Price Expectations

According to Yahoo Tech, there is no consensus on the pricing for AirPods 5.

Some analysts believe Apple will maintain or modestly increase pricing relative to the AirPods 4 tier, while others caution that external factors like tariffs or component costs could push prices upward.

What About AirPods Pro 4?

While much of the current attention is on AirPods 5, the Pro line is also under scrutiny.

Apple's most recent Pro model is AirPods Pro 3, officially launched in September 2025.

With that in place, a Pro 4 model would more likely arrive later--possibly in 2026 or 2027, depending on development cycles, according to TechRadar.

Feature Upgrades and Direction

Some of the features expected in a Pro 4 include:

• More advanced health sensors (beyond heart rate) are integrated into the earbud housing.
• Improved ANC capabilities, especially targeting low-frequency noise.
• Design refinements — better sealing, potentially new tip materials, or more compact form factor.
• Firmware features include improved translation, spatial audio enhancements, and adaptive audio modes.

On pricing, Yahoo Tech reported on a recent analysis which suggests Apple might hold the Pro tier price at or near $249 in the U.S., though global pricing may adjust for local factors.

However, it is essential to note that many of these features are speculative and subject to change as Apple finalises engineering decisions.

Outlook and Caveats

At present, no official announcement has been made by Apple for AirPods Pro 4 or AirPods 5, and all details beyond the existing AirPods 4 and newly released AirPods Pro 3 are built on leaks, analyst predictions and industry rumour tracking.

For consumers, the strategic question becomes whether to buy now or wait.

The AirPods 4 already add ANC and advanced features that make them a compelling option. Any future generation is likely to build on this foundation rather than reinvent it.

The Pro line will remain attractive to users demanding top-tier noise cancellation and in-ear sealing.

In sum, while AirPods 5 and Pro 4 are not on shelves yet, the traction behind features like health sensors, fit innovation, and performance upgrades points to incremental but meaningful enhancements.

Observers will be watching Apple's events (notably September launches) for confirmation of when and how these next-generation models will arrive.