Anker's new feature-packed headphones come in two versions, both with screens in the case, but don't get distracted by the outside, because the exciting news is under the hood and on your phone.

Anker launches Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro and Pro Max headphones
The headphones are the same, but some of the features are different, including a touchscreen on the Max.
Also new app, custom chipset for the headphones.

Anker’s Soundcore has just announced two new pairs of headphones, which are its first products made with its new ‘Thus’ audio chipset. This little component promises to let your speakers and headphones enjoy better active noise cancellation, improved on-device audio AI, more precise voice controls, and, perhaps most usefully, better energy efficiency.

Anker also introduced VibeOS, which confusingly isn’t an operating system despite the title, but rather the name of its new and improved linked app, which you’ll use to control your audio devices.

VibeOS will have a wide range of features and if Anker delivers, its devices could be feature-packed gems. Top new options include an equalizer listening test, audio source restoration, sleep management, creating audio transcriptions, and real-time ambient adaptation for your music.

Free up some time for Freedom

The Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro headset with its case and the Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max.

(Image credit: future)

The Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro and Liberty 5 Pro Max are Anker’s biggest new releases, both featuring the Así chip. They follow the “normal” Soundcore Liberty 5, released a year earlier, but when you read about them you’ll understand why they’re not the Liberty 6.

In a press conference, Anker didn’t outline the Liberty 5 Pro series’ audio specs, but they will likely be similar or better than the original with 9.2mm dynamic driver.

Anker sold the headphones on their features: They’re set to have eight microphones for improved call quality and noise cancellation, Dolby Atmos spatial audio with head tracking, and an AI voice recorder feature for taking notes.

The main attraction of these headphones, and the distinction between them, is in the charging case. Both earbuds have a touchscreen case, the Pro has a small strip and the Pro Max’s case has a large screen.

This touchscreen can be used to monitor battery, change ANC modes, and toggle a variety of functions. From the looks of it, it can also be used to toggle the aforementioned functions, perhaps like setting up the voice recorder to record a meeting.

You can also point out the prices on the touchscreen cases: the Liberty 5 Pro costs £149.99 (around $200, AU$300, exact global price TBC) while the Liberty 5 Pro Max costs £199.99 (around $280, AU$400, again global prices TBC).

So they’re noticeably more expensive than the original headphones: $129 / £99 / AU$169. We’ve got the Liberty 5 Pro series to test now, to see if they justify that cost… watch this space.