Anker Liberty 5 Pro Earbuds Excel at Phone Calls

Anker has launched its Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro earbuds, featuring the company’s first in-house AI audio chip. They offer some of the best phone call quality available in wireless earbuds at this price range, and they excel in other areas too.

Meet the Thus Chip

The real highlight isn’t the earbuds themselves but the technology inside. Anker developed a custom processor known as the Thus chip. This AI-powered audio chip is designed for real-time sound processing, similar to the way Apple’s H-series chips enhance audio in AirPods. Its main goal is to elevate the performance of these earbuds in handling noise and voice.

Most earbuds rely on a general-purpose chip for both music and calls. In contrast, the Thus chip is specifically engineered for audio AI tasks. This means it can allocate more processing power to isolating your voice from background noise, recognizing your sound environment, and adjusting instantly.

Reviewers from CNET and The Verge have noted that the call quality truly sets these earbuds apart. They filter out background noise—like wind, chatter from coffee shops, and street traffic—much more effectively than many competitors, ensuring your voice remains clear on the other end of the line.

Two Models, One Platform

Anker is offering two versions of the Liberty 5 Pro. The standard model focuses on the essentials: effective active noise cancellation (ANC), good sound quality, and improved call performance.

The Liberty 5 Pro Max takes things up a notch. It features a larger driver for richer bass and includes an AI note-taking capability. This means the earbuds can listen during meetings or conversations, then generate written summaries. This feature puts them in direct competition with dedicated AI audio devices like the Plaud Note or the Tab from Limitless.

How Do They Sound?

Beyond phone calls, many reviewers find the sound quality impressive for the price. The Liberty 5 Pro series sits in Anker’s premium tier under the Soundcore brand, so these aren’t budget earbuds. Still, they come in at a significantly lower price than Sony’s WF-1000XM5 or Apple’s AirPods Pro 2.

The ANC performs well, effectively managing consistent low-frequency noise, like that found in airplane cabins or from air conditioning units. The transparency mode, which lets outside audio in so you can stay aware of your surroundings, also receives positive feedback.

What This Means for Everyday Users

If you’re often on phone calls or video meetings while using earbuds, check out the Liberty 5 Pro series. Most earbuds in this category manage music decently. However, they struggle when you’re outside trying to chat with your boss or calling your doctor in a busy waiting room. This is where Anker believes the Thus chip shines.

For those who just want solid earbuds for music and occasional calls, the standard Liberty 5 Pro should meet your needs. If you frequently record meetings or need built-in transcription, the Pro Max’s AI note-taker is a genuinely helpful addition. It eliminates the need for a separate app or device running in the background.

Neither model is likely to replace a specialized recording device for professional use. But for everyday tasks, having that feature integrated into your earbuds offers a nice convenience boost.

What Reviewers and Users Are Saying

“The call quality on these is genuinely surprising. I’ve been using AirPods Pro 2 for calls, and these are at least competitive, maybe better in loud environments.”

“Anker making their own chip is a big deal — this is exactly what they needed to stop being seen as just the ‘budget AirPods alternative.'”

The Bigger Picture

By creating its own audio chip, Anker joins a select group that includes Apple, Samsung, and Sony. These companies manage their hardware and software from the ground up. Most audio brands purchase chips from third-party suppliers and build around those capabilities. With a custom chip, Anker can train the Thus chip’s AI to address specific noise issues its customers face and update its functionality through firmware over time.

This long-term strategy could give Anker a competitive edge that’s tougher to replicate than a marketing gimmick. Whether this pays off will depend on how the Thus chip evolves and if competitors respond with their own chip developments.

You can read full reviews from CNET, The Verge, and Engadget for more detailed analyses.

What To Watch

• Pricing confirmation: Final retail prices for both the Liberty 5 Pro and Pro Max haven’t been finalized at major retailers yet. Watch for the launch pricing to settle in the coming weeks.
• Firmware updates: Anker has indicated that the Thus chip’s features will expand through software updates. The first updates after launch will show if that promise is genuine or just marketing hype.
• Competitor response: Sony, Samsung, and Jabra are all expected to refresh their flagship earbuds in the second half of 2026. Their response to Anker’s focus on call quality will indicate where the premium earbud market is headed.
• Note-taking feature in practice: The real-world accuracy of the Liberty 5 Pro Max’s AI meeting summaries will be a critical test. Expect detailed user reviews to emerge within 30 days of widespread availability.