The question in this discussion
Would you upgrade for stronger noise reduction and on-stem volume control while keeping an open-ear fit?
This compares AirPods 4 with the ¥27,800 wireless-case AirPods 5. Both have ANC. The new model adds swipe volume control, and Apple claims up to 50% more external-noise reduction than AirPods 4. The flight report is one person's experience on one flight, not a general laboratory result.
Original discussions
JPJapan
Keep AirPods 4 vs Move to AirPods 5 current discussion
Posted: 2026-09-13
Link and metrics checked: 2026-09-14
Original page checked · Counts from the post header
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Other criteria for these people →What we’re comparing
This compares AirPods 4 with the ¥27,800 wireless-case AirPods 5. Both have ANC. The new model adds swipe volume control, and Apple claims up to 50% more external-noise reduction than AirPods 4. The flight report is one person's experience on one flight, not a general laboratory result.
The AirPods 5 in this comparison costs ¥27,800
AirPods 5 comes as a ¥23,800 base model and a ¥27,800 wireless-case model. The stem volume swipe and longer rated battery discussed here belong to the latter. They should not be presented as differences shared by every AirPods 5 package.
What one shared flight can and cannot show
The reporter alternated AirPods 4 and 5 on the same overnight flight and heard stronger engine-noise suppression from the new pair. That controls some conditions, but seat, aircraft and ear shape can change the result. It is also not the same test as Apple's 'up to 50%' claim.
The upgrade stake is a daily control difference
Both are open-ear ANC models, and the reviewer found their fit nearly the same. The clear new interaction is sliding a finger along the AirPods 5 stem to change volume. That makes ¥27,800 mean something different to a satisfied AirPods 4 owner than to someone who often reaches for a phone.
Compare the same items
| Item | Keep AirPods 4 | Move to AirPods 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Shape and fitBoth offer this | Open-ear; reviewer found the fit essentially unchanged [1] | Open-ear; reviewer found the fit essentially unchanged [1] |
| ANCVerified difference | ANC available [1] | ANC available; Apple claims up to 50% more external-noise reduction, and the reviewer heard stronger suppression on the same flight [1] |
| On-bud controlsVerified difference | Press controls; no stem volume swipe on the compared model [1] | Wireless-case model supports stem volume swipe [1] |
What else to know
Would you upgrade for stronger noise reduction and on-stem volume control while keeping an open-ear fit?
Facts we checked
Both are open-ear ANC models, and the reviewer found their fit nearly the same. The clear new interaction is sliding a finger along the AirPods 5 stem to change volume. That makes ¥27,800 mean something different to a satisfied AirPods 4 owner than to someone who often reaches for a phone.
Evidence for this comparison
These sources provide background on the topic. We do not use the articles and reports below as evidence for support percentages.
- Apple、オープンイヤー型ANCを進化させたAirPods 5を発表Apple Japan Newsroom · See the original sources · Source checked on 2026-09-14
- 新型AirPods 5とAirPods 4、深夜便で聴きくらべたらバキバキに目が覚めてしまったGizmodo Japan · See the original sources · Source checked on 2026-09-14
News and official sources
These sources provide background on the topic. We do not use the articles and reports below as evidence for support percentages.
新型AirPods 5とAirPods 4、深夜便で聴きくらべたらバキバキに目が覚めてしまった ↗
This compares AirPods 4 with the ¥27,800 wireless-case AirPods 5. Both have ANC. The new model adds swipe volume control, and Apple claims up to 50% more external-noise reduction than AirPods 4. The flight report is one person's experience on one flight, not a general laboratory result.
Publication or release date: 2026-09-13 · Original source checked: 2026-09-14
Apple、オープンイヤー型ANCを進化させたAirPods 5を発表 ↗
This compares AirPods 4 with the ¥27,800 wireless-case AirPods 5. Both have ANC. The new model adds swipe volume control, and Apple claims up to 50% more external-noise reduction than AirPods 4. The flight report is one person's experience on one flight, not a general laboratory result.
Publication or release date: 2026-09-10 · Original source checked: 2026-09-14
Consider each source’s perspective. Institutional and company statements present that organization’s account, and we distinguish news reporting from opinion.
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Sources and updates
- Period covered
- 2026-09-14
- Content checked on
- 2026-09-14
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