# Anker’s Soundcore Liberty 5: Enhanced Battery Life and ANC, But Heart Rate Tracking Gone

## Anker’s Soundcore Liberty 5: Enhanced Battery Life and ANC, But Heart Rate Tracking Gone

Anker’s Soundcore is refreshing its line of budget-friendly wireless earbuds with the release of the Liberty 5, a successor to the Liberty 4 launched over two years ago. Priced at $129.99 – a step down from the Liberty 4’s initial $149.99 price tag – the Liberty 5 promises improved active noise cancellation (ANC), extended battery life, and support for Dolby Audio. However, one notable feature from its predecessor, in-ear heart rate tracking, has been omitted from the new model.

While an official announcement from Anker is still pending, the Soundcore Liberty 5 is already listed on Anker’s AliExpress storefront and available for pre-order through Best Buy Canada, signaling an imminent launch.

The Liberty 5 retains a similar design to previous iterations, featuring a stem that allows for shortcut controls via pinching, and a case rechargeable via USB-C or wireless charging. The primary upgrade lies in battery performance. The earbuds now offer up to eight hours of playback with ANC enabled, and a generous 12 hours with ANC disabled. When paired with the charging case, the total battery life extends to an impressive 48 hours with ANC off. A quick 10-minute charge will provide up to five hours of listening time, addressing on-the-go power needs.

Audio quality is delivered through 9.2-millimeter flexible wool paper diaphragms, coupled with “dual bass-enhancing tubes” designed to optimize airflow and amplify lower frequencies. The Liberty 5 employs Anker’s adaptive ANC 3.0 algorithm, which dynamically recalibrates every 0.3 seconds to respond to changes in environmental noise. Anker claims that the Liberty 5 offers twice the noise reduction of voices compared to the previous model when ANC is active.

Connectivity is handled by Bluetooth 5.4, with support for LDAC, AAC, and SBC codecs, although aptX remains absent. For those seeking a more immersive listening experience, Dolby Audio support aims to simulate a 3D “cinematic” soundstage, though users should expect a reduction in battery life when this feature is engaged.

To ensure a comfortable and secure fit, the Soundcore Liberty 5 comes with five different sizes of eartips, aiming to passively block out unwanted noise. An IP55 dust and water resistance rating provides protection against sweat, rain, and splashes, although submersion should be avoided.

The Soundcore Liberty 5 will be available in four color options: blue, black, pink, and white. While the removal of heart rate tracking might disappoint some, the enhanced battery life, improved ANC, and Dolby Audio support position the Liberty 5 as a compelling option in the competitive budget wireless earbud market.