AirPods 5 UK release date, price and buying guide: 18 September 2026

Apple has opened pre-orders for AirPods 5 in the UK ahead of their store release on Friday 18 September 2026. The standard model costs £119, while AirPods 5 with a Wireless Charging Case cost £139. Here is what UK shoppers get for the extra £20, and why it may be worth waiting for accessories or retailer discounts before buying.

AirPods 5 UK price and release date

Apple UK lists AirPods 5 at £119 and AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case at £139. Pre-orders are open now through Apple’s UK shop, with store availability due from Friday 18 September. Those are Apple’s confirmed UK prices; we are not treating either figure as a saving against a made-up RRP.

The £119 version is the straightforward choice if you want the new open-ear design and Apple’s core features at the lowest entry price. The £139 version is the more flexible buy if you already use wireless charging or want the additional battery claim and controls Apple associates with that case.

What is new?

Apple says AirPods 5 bring Active Noise Cancellation to this open-ear style, with up to 50% more external-noise reduction than AirPods 4 with ANC. That is an Apple claim, not an independent test, and open-ear ANC will not create the same seal as in-ear silicone-tip earbuds. The potential benefit is a less closed-in fit for people who dislike ear tips.

Other advertised features include Adaptive EQ, Conversation Awareness, hands-free Siri and Live Translation. Apple says full functionality requires an Apple device running the latest operating-system software, and notes that some features may depend on device, language or region. Siri AI is described as rolling out as a beta, so it is sensible not to buy solely for that feature.

Which case should you choose?

Apple says the Wireless Charging Case supports USB-C, Qi and Apple Watch-compatible charging. It also claims up to 22 hours of listening with ANC when using the case. The standard £119 model is likely the better value when you mainly charge by cable and do not need those case options; the £139 model makes more sense for a household already set up around Qi or Apple Watch charging.

Our buying advice is to pre-order only if you specifically want first-day availability. Otherwise, check the case contents and wait for reputable UK retailers to publish their stock, bundles or launch-week discounts. A compatible USB-C cable or charging pad may be a more useful accessory than a premium case, but there is no confirmed AirPods 5 accessory price to recommend yet.

See AirPods 5 at Apple UK. Details and feature claims are from Apple’s UK announcement.