In comparison AirPods 5 vs AirPods 4 the most has changed not in the actual earphone, but in how much you have to pay for its best features. Active noise cancellation is now in both versions and reduces 50% more noise than in AirPods 4 with ANC. There is also IP57 resistance instead of IP54.
The headphones went on sale September 18, 2026. In Poland, they cost 599 zł for the version with USB-C case and 699 zł for the case with wireless charging.
There is one more thing that no presentation mentions: the casing has not changed by a millimeter. The earphone and case have the same dimensions as in AirPods 4, so a protective case bought two years ago will fit the new model.
A short answer to who should choose what: AirPods 5 for every new purchase and when switching from basic AirPods 4, and AirPods 4 ANC only if you find them significantly cheaper. Owners of AirPods 4 ANC have no reason to upgrade.
Below is the full table of both generations, an explanation of what really separates the version with USB-C case from the one with wireless case today, and a fair list of things that AirPods 5 do not improve at all.
AirPods 5 vs AirPods 4: full comparison table
We compare four variants, as both generations come in two versions. We have bolded the positions where the new generation actually makes a change.
| Parameter | AirPods 4 (etui USB-C) | AirPods 4 ANC (etui bezprzewodowe) | AirPods 5 (etui USB-C) | AirPods 5 (etui bezprzewodowe) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aktywna redukcja szumów | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Skuteczność ANC (wobec AirPods 4 z ANC) | brak ANC | punkt odniesienia | +50% wyciszenia | +50% wyciszenia |
| Architektura akustyczna | klasyczna | klasyczna | wieloportowa | wieloportowa |
| Adaptacyjne EQ | ✅ | ✅ | nowej generacji | nowej generacji |
| Tryb przejrzystości | ✅ | ✅ | bardziej naturalny | bardziej naturalny |
| Dźwięk adaptacyjny | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Świadomość rozmowy | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Nagrywanie w jakości studyjnej | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Tłumaczenie na żywo | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Regulacja głośności muśnięciem | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Czip | H2 | H2 | H2 | H2 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Odporność słuchawek i etui | IP54 | IP54 | IP57 | IP57 |
| Ładowanie etui | USB-C | USB-C, bezprzewodowo | USB-C | USB-C, bezprzewodowo |
| Głośnik w etui do aplikacji Znajdź | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Wymiary słuchawki | 30,2 × 18,3 × 18,1 mm | = | = | = |
| Wymiary etui | 46,2 × 50,1 × 21,2 mm | = | = | = |
| Masa etui | 32,3 g | 34,7 g | 32,3 g | 34,7 g |
| Cena w Polsce | zależna od sklepu | zależna od sklepu | 599 zł | 699 zł |
| Premiera | wrzesień 2024 | wrzesień 2024 | 18 września 2026 | 18 września 2026 |
Wniosek z tabeli jest jeden: zmiany są w akustyce i wodoodporności, nie w elektronice. Czip, Bluetooth, wymiary i masa są dokładnie te same co dwa lata temu. Znak „=» oznacza wartość identyczną z pierwszą kolumną. Czasy pracy rozpisaliśmy osobno w sekcji o baterii, a pełną listę rzeczy bez zmian znajdziesz niżej.
ANC o 50% skuteczniejsze: co to znaczy w praktyce
Apple deklaruje, że AirPods 5 usuwają o 50% więcej hałasu z zewnątrz niż AirPods 4 z aktywną redukcją szumów. To nie jest efekt nowego czipu, bo ten się nie zmienił, tylko przebudowy samej konstrukcji.
Nowa wieloportowa architektura akustyczna inaczej prowadzi powietrze wewnątrz słuchawki. Do tego doszły ulepszone algorytmy dźwięku obliczeniowego, które szybciej reagują na zmianę otoczenia.
Warto rozumieć punkt wyjścia. AirPods 4 ANC były pierwszymi otwartymi słuchawkami Apple z aktywną redukcją szumów i redukcja w nich działała przyzwoicie w metrze czy samolocie, ale wyraźnie słabiej niż w dokanałowych AirPods Pro. Konstrukcja bez gumowej wkładki nie uszczelnia kanału słuchowego, więc część hałasu wchodzi bokiem.
One and a half times better reduction in the same open design is a real leap, but it still doesn’t reach the level of AirPods Pro 3. If you’re looking for maximum silence rather than comfort for long hours of wearing, the in-ear model remains the right choice. We described the differences between the Pro generations in the comparison of AirPods Pro 3 and Pro 2.
The transparency mode has also improved, sounding more natural, as well as the sound itself, thanks to the new generation adaptive EQ. A new feature is studio-quality recording, which means a better audio track when recording video with your phone.
USB-C case or wireless: what divides both versions today
This question has changed its meaning with this release and is worth discussing separately, as the difference between the variants no longer concerns sound.
In AirPods 4, the extra cost primarily led to ANC, along with wireless charging and a speaker in the case. The cheaper version had no reduction at all, so the choice was simple: either you pay more, or you give up the most important feature.
In AirPods 5, both versions sound the same and both have full ANC. The extra cost leads solely to comfort:
- Volume control with a tap of the foot, slide your finger up or down instead of reaching for your phone
- One hour more listening, 5 hours with ANC instead of 4, and 7 hours without ANC instead of 6
- Wireless charging, with a Qi charger or the one from Apple Watch
- Speaker in the case, helps find the lost case in the Find app
Tip: if you have an induction charger at home or frequently lose your case, the upgrade is worth it. If you charge everything with a USB-C cable and keep the case in the same pocket, the cheaper version delivers exactly the same sound.
Case with wireless charging: on the left AirPods 5, on the right AirPods 4. Photos: Apple.
To zresztą sedno tej premiery. Dwa lata temu ANC w otwartych AirPodsach wymagało przejścia na droższy wariant; dziś dostajesz je już w wersji podstawowej. Aktywna redukcja szumów przestała być dodatkiem za dopłatą.
Bateria: godzina więcej tam, gdzie liczy się najbardziej
Zmiany w baterii są niewielkie, ale rozłożone dokładnie tam, gdzie użytkownik je zauważy.
| Tryb | AirPods 4 ANC | AirPods 5 (etui USB-C) | AirPods 5 (etui bezprzewodowe) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Słuchanie z ANC | 4 godziny | 4 godziny | 5 godzin |
| Słuchanie bez ANC | 5 godzin | 6 godzin | 7 godzin |
| Łącznie z etui, z ANC | 20 godzin | 20 godzin | 22 godziny |
| 5 minut ładowania | ok. 1 godzina | ok. 1 godzina | ok. 1 godzina |
Najciekawszy jest wiersz drugi. Słuchanie bez ANC wydłużyło się w obu wersjach, mimo że to tryb, którym Apple w ogóle się nie chwali. Dla kogoś, kto nosi otwarte słuchawki głównie do podcastów w biurze, to zysk, który poczuje częściej niż lepsze ANC.
Warto natomiast wiedzieć, że wersja podstawowa AirPods 5 nie wydłuża czasu z ANC. Cztery godziny to dokładnie tyle, ile dawały AirPods 4 z redukcją. Dodatkową godzinę dostajesz wyłącznie w wariancie z etui bezprzewodowym.
IP57 instead of IP54: what it really changes
This change looks like a shift of one degree in the table, but in practice it means a completely different category of resistance.
IP54 provides protection against water splashes from any direction. Rain, sweat while running, splashing while washing dishes. The headset can survive this, but immersion is a different story.
IP57 provides protection against immersion up to one meter for 30 minutes. Falling into a sink, puddle, washbasin, or into a jacket pocket left in the rain is no longer a death sentence.
Dust resistance has also been increased: a five in the first position means that particles can enter, but will not disrupt operation. For someone who wears headphones at the beach or on a construction site, this is a concrete argument.
However, during training, not only resistance matters, but also whether the headset will stay in the ear at all. An open design can be risky here, which we elaborated on in the guide how to choose headphones for the gym.
The standard applies to both headphones and cases, which was not always obvious for buyers of AirPods 4.
Uwaga: odporność IP nie jest wieczna. Uszczelnienia zużywają się z czasem, a gwarancja producenta nie obejmuje uszkodzeń wywołanych cieczą. Traktuj IP57 jako zabezpieczenie przed wypadkiem, nie jako zaproszenie do pływania.
Czego AirPods 5 nie poprawiają
Uczciwa lista rzeczy, które zostały dokładnie takie same:
- Czip H2, ten sam układ, który debiutował w AirPods Pro 2 w 2022 roku
- Bluetooth 5.3, bez zmiany standardu
- Otwarta konstrukcja bez gumowych wkładek, z tymi samymi zaletami i ograniczeniami
- Wymiary i masa słuchawki: 30,2 × 18,3 × 18,1 mm i 4,3 grama, co do grama jak w AirPods 4
- Wymiary etui: 46,2 × 50,1 × 21,2 mm, bez zmian
- Dźwięk przestrzenny ze śledzeniem ruchów głowy, ta sama implementacja
- Izolacja głosu i spersonalizowana głośność, przeniesione bez zmian
- Szybkie ładowanie: 5 minut wciąż daje około godziny słuchania
There is no heart rate measurement that the AirPods Pro 3 received. There are no interchangeable tips or a switch to an in-ear design. There is also no new chip, so the range and connection stability remain at the level of its predecessor.
One detail is worth catching before purchase: the speaker in the case for the Find My app is only available in the version with the wireless case. The division is exactly the same as in the AirPods 4, where the speaker was also only received by the more expensive variant.
AirPods 5 price: how much do they cost in Poland
Prices in the Polish Apple store look like this:
| Version | Price |
|---|---|
| AirPods 5 with USB-C case | 599 zł |
| AirPods 5 with wireless charging case | 699 zł |
The box does not include a cable or charger, so if you are buying your first Apple device, add a USB-C cable right away. The case for both versions charges via cable, and the more expensive one additionally with a wireless charger.
AirPods 4 zniknęły z pierwszego planu w sklepie Apple, ale zostały w sieciach handlowych, zwykle sporo taniej niż nowość. To ich jedyny, za to mocny argument.
Etui do AirPods 5: czy stare pasuje?
Zgodność etui to jedyny punkt, w którym Apple niczego nie popsuł, i warto o tym wiedzieć przed zakupem.
Etui ładujące ma identical dimensions 46.2 × 50.1 × 21.2 mm in both generations. The weight also matches: 32.3 g in the USB-C version and 34.7 g in the wireless version. This means that the silicone or plastic case purchased for AirPods 4 will fit AirPods 5 without any looseness.
This is confirmed by the manufacturers themselves. Tech-Protect introduced the Lamano series described directly as “AirPods 4 / 5″, without separating the generations.
| Element | Compatibility with AirPods 5 |
|---|---|
| Protective case for AirPods 4 | ✅ fits, identical dimensions |
| Case for AirPods 3 | ❌ different shape of the case |
| Case for AirPods Pro 3 | ❌ different shape of the case |
| Clips and carabiners for AirPods 4 | ✅ fit |
The only thing worth noting: if you buy the wireless charging version, choose a thin case without metal inserts to avoid blocking energy transfer.
Tech-Protect Lamano for AirPods 4 and 5
Etui Tech-Protect Lamano is the simplest answer to the question of compatibility, as the manufacturer lists both generations in the product name. You don’t have to guess anything.
The finish imitates leather, and the clip allows you to attach the case to a bag or backpack strap. There is also a Nature Muse version available in a lighter color scheme.
Spigen Rugged Armor
Etui Spigen Rugged Armor is a classic that works exactly as it does on phones in the version for AirPods. The flexible TPU with an embossed pattern does not slip from the hand, and the matte surface does not collect fingerprints.
The cutout at the bottom leaves free access to the USB-C port, and the status LED remains visible through the case.
ESR Orbit HaloLock with MagSafe
Etui ESR Orbit HaloLock dodaje AirPodsom to, czego Apple im nie dał: magnetyczny pierścień zgodny z MagSafe. Etui przypina się do uchwytu w samochodzie albo do magnetycznej podstawki na biurku.
To rozwiązanie ma sens szczególnie w parze z wersją z etui bezprzewodowym, bo magnes pomaga trafić w cewkę ładowarki indukcyjnej za pierwszym razem.
UAG Scout
Etui UAG Scout to wybór pod plecak i plac budowy. Konstrukcja z podwyższonymi krawędziami przyjmuje uderzenie zamiast zawiasu etui, który w AirPodsach jest najbardziej wrażliwym elementem.
W zestawie jest karabińczyk. Jeśli wolisz wersję z wyraźniejszym wzorem, ten sam producent oferuje UAG Plasma.
UNIQ Clyde Lock Case
Etui UNIQ Clyde rozwiązuje najczęstszy problem otwartych etui na AirPodsy: samoczynne rozchylanie się klapki w kieszeni. Zatrzask trzyma wieczko zamknięte, dopóki sam go nie otworzysz.
Tech-Protect MagMat
Etui Tech-Protect MagMat is the second option with magnets, thinner than the Orbita and closer to the raw look of the Apple case itself. A good option when you want protection that is almost invisible.
If you care about natural materials, check out the NOMAD Modern Leather case, which gains patina over time.
[hs_products ids=»147076,81752,85241,112707,114224,86776″ cols=»6″ title=»Etui pasujące do AirPods 4 i AirPods 5″]
We have compiled a complete list with descriptions in the article about the best cases for AirPods 4. All the models listed there also fit the fifth generation.
AirPods 5 or AirPods 4: which model to choose?
The comparison comes down to five situations and five clear answers.
You have AirPods 4 ANC. Stick with them. The same chip, the same shape, the same spatial sound. You gain better noise cancellation and water resistance, but that’s not enough to replace functioning headphones.
You have AirPods 4 without ANC. Upgrading makes sense. You get a feature that your model doesn’t have at all, and it’s in a version that’s half as effective as the one you had to pay extra for two years ago.
You have AirPods 2 or 3. Get AirPods 5 without hesitation. The jump includes ANC, transparency mode, spatial sound, USB-C case, and IP57 resistance.
You are buying your first Apple headphones. AirPods 5 in the basic version. Since ANC is available in both variants, and the sound is identical, only pay extra if you actually use wireless charging.
You care about maximum silence. Choose an in-ear model. The open design has limits that no acoustic architecture can overcome. Check the case and accessories for AirPods Pro 3 or our guide in-ear or over-ear headphones.
Summary
AirPods 5 vs AirPods 4 is a launch where the most important change is price, not technology. Apple took the most expensive feature from the previous generation and put it into the basic model.
Five conclusions to end:
- ANC is present in every version and reduces 50% more noise than in AirPods 4 with noise cancellation
- The choice of case no longer affects sound, only wireless charging, speaker in the case, volume control with a touch, and listening time
- IP57 instead of IP54 changes the category from «splash resistant» to «can withstand immersion»
- Chip, Bluetooth, dimensions, and weight are identical to AirPods 4
- The case from AirPods 4 fits without changes, as the charging case has the same dimensions
If you stick with AirPods 4, invest in a good case instead of new headphones. If you’re switching to the fifth generation, don’t buy a new case. The one you have will fit without any issues.
FAQ: frequently asked questions
When were AirPods 5 released?
AirPods 5 went on sale on September 18, 2026, with pre-orders starting on September 9. The launch took place alongside the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4.
Does the case for AirPods 4 fit AirPods 5?
Yes. The charging case has identical dimensions of 46.2 × 50.1 × 21.2 mm in both generations, so the protective case purchased for AirPods 4 will fit AirPods 5 snugly. Some manufacturers, like Tech-Protect, describe their cases explicitly as “AirPods 4 / 5”.
Do AirPods 5 have ANC in both versions?
Yes. This is the main change of this generation. Both the version priced at 599 PLN and the one at 699 PLN have full active noise cancellation. In AirPods 4, noise cancellation was only available in the more expensive variant.
How much do AirPods 5 cost in Poland?
AirPods 5 with a USB-C case cost 599 PLN, while the version with a wireless charging case costs 699 PLN. The box does not include a cable or charger.
What is the difference between the 599 PLN AirPods 5 and the 699 PLN version?
Sound like nothing. The more expensive version adds wireless charging, a speaker in the case for the Find My app, volume control with a touch of the stem, and an hour longer listening on a single charge.
Is it worth buying AirPods 4 instead of AirPods 5?
It’s worth it if you find them significantly cheaper and accept weaker ANC and IP54 resistance. The chip, spatial audio, and shape are the same, so the biggest loss concerns noise cancellation effectiveness.
Are AirPods 5 waterproof?
They have an IP57 rating, meaning they can withstand immersion up to one meter for 30 minutes. This is significantly more than the IP54 in AirPods 4, which only protected against splashes. The standard applies to both the earbuds and the case.
Sources:
Legg att eit svar