Soundcore’s New Liberty 5 Pro Earbuds Use AI for Call Quality

Soundcore, which is Anker’s audio brand, is moving beyond budget earbuds with two new releases: the Liberty 5 Pro and Liberty 5 Pro Max. These models feature a custom AI chip that the company claims provides top-notch call quality in their category.

What’s Actually New Here

Both earbuds utilize Anker’s new “Thus” chip, a custom processor that acts as the brain for the Liberty 5 series. This upgrade gives them more computing power than previous Soundcore models. The extra capability focuses on two key areas: improving noise cancellation during phone calls and enhancing overall performance, including active noise cancellation (ANC), which uses microphones and software to block out background noise.

This boost in chip performance is more than just a marketing ploy. The increased processing power allows the earbuds to analyze audio in real time, effectively separating your voice from background sounds. Whether you’re on a work call at a coffee shop or walking through a busy street, you’ll notice the difference.

The Verge pointed out that the Liberty 5 Pro offers what their reviewer called the best call quality they’ve ever experienced from earbuds. This is a bold statement for a brand that usually competes more on price than on high-end features. Read The Verge’s full hands-on here.

Liberty 5 Pro vs. Liberty 5 Pro Max: What’s the Difference?

While both models share the same core chip and AI features, the Pro Max is larger and more advanced. It’s likely designed for users who prioritize longer battery life or prefer a more tailored fit. Think of it like comparing a standard phone to an XL version: same software, but bigger hardware.

Mashable’s audio expert spent several days testing both models. Their early impressions suggest the AI-driven features perform well in real-world situations, not just controlled tests. See Mashable’s first impressions for more detail.

Why AI in Earbuds Actually Matters

The phrase “AI in earbuds” might sound like buzzword bingo, but it really means something meaningful here: machine learning models that run directly on the chip inside the earbuds. Instead of sending audio to your phone or a cloud server for processing, the Thus chip takes care of it locally and in real time.

This leads to practical benefits. For instance, if you’re on a call and a bus drives by, the earbuds can distinguish your voice from the engine noise and filter out the latter before it reaches the other party. Traditional earbuds with basic microphones don’t have this capability; they send all the noise, leaving your caller with a confusing audio experience.

This method is similar to what Apple does with AirPods Pro and what Sony has incorporated into its WF-1000XM5 earbuds. However, Soundcore is offering the Liberty 5 series at a more affordable price point compared to those competitors.

What This Means

If call quality is important to you—whether you’re a remote worker, a frequent traveler, or someone who takes calls on the go—the Liberty 5 Pro series deserves your attention. In the past, achieving good call quality from earbuds often meant spending $200 or more. Soundcore aims to change that.

For everyday listeners, the upgraded chip also results in smarter ANC. This improvement should reduce instances where noise cancellation makes audio sound muffled or hollow. Better chips generally lead to better tuning, and superior tuning means both music and calls sound more natural.

The challenge, as always with new releases, is whether real-world performance will live up to the launch promises after weeks of use, not just a few days of testing.

What People Are Saying

“Soundcore has been quietly putting out solid earbuds for years. If they actually nailed call quality this time, this is going to embarrass some of the big names at twice the price.”

“I’ve had the Liberty Air 2 Pro for two years, and call quality was always the weak point. I’m really curious if the new chip actually fixes it or if it’s just a spec sheet thing.”

What To Watch

• Pricing confirmation: Soundcore hasn’t finalized retail prices across all regions yet. Expect announcements soon as the earbuds approach wide release.
• Long-term reviews: Early impressions look positive, but we’ll need reviews based on longer use—like battery life, software updates, and real-world ANC consistency—for a fuller picture.
• Competitor response: Sony and Bose usually refresh their flagship earbud lines in the latter half of the year. If Soundcore offers a similar call quality at a lower price, those brands may feel pressured to react quickly.
• App features: Soundcore’s companion app has provided great customization options in the past. Keep an eye out for how much of the AI feature set users can adjust versus what’s locked in.