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Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro wishlist: All the features I want to see
2025 is finally upon us and heralds a new era of promising technologies. With CES around the corner and events throughout the year like MWC, Google I/O, and WWDC, there’s much to be excited about. When it comes to advanced features, though, some earbud manufacturers are already ahead of the pack. Anker is one of these companies and is favored for bundling affordable products with flagship features. The latest Liberty 4 Pro are its finest product to date and improve upon the beloved Liberty 4 NC. With good sound quality, robust noise canceling, and an industry-leading companion app, it’s hard to go wrong. Can the Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro strike gold?
Anker released the Liberty 4 Pro mere months ago and there has been no official announcement about the Liberty 5 Pro. Consequently, it is doubtful we will see the company’s next-gen model come to fruition soon. However, there are some improvements Anker could make to elevate its flagship product. Read ahead for everything I want to see when the Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro eventually launch.
A better charging case
Glossy cases are prone to attracting fingerprints, and that’s before you consider those with a reflective finish. The Liberty 4 Pro case is a grime magnet and attracts smudges and oils like nobody’s business. Sure, it’s not a deal breaker but it is a surprising and easily avoidable design flaw, especially given Anker got its other aesthetic-related elements so right. Matte cases are usually much better at concealing unsightly marks, and the Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro could benefit here.
The Liberty 5 Pro could also swap the Liberty 4 Pro’s touchbar for a larger OLED touchscreen. This would make controlling ANC, EQ presets, phone cameras, and spatial audio from the case a more intuitive experience. The next-gen model could also introduce integrated audio transmitter capabilities like the JBL Tour Pro 3. Such functionality would allow users to connect the case to analog audio devices and wirelessly transmit music to the buds without Bluetooth.
Improved spatial audio
Consumer audio brands love to hark on about spatial audio capabilities. However, while it can enhance your immersion when watching movies, its application when listening to music is questionable. Even if you enjoy listening to music in a three-dimensional sphere, not all content is available in spatial audio. Tracks must be mixed in a surround sound format like Dolby Atmos to work best with spatial audio-compatible headphones. Even then, many major music streaming platforms like Spotify do not support surround sound content.
The Liberty 4 Pro enjoy many spatial audio modes including Music Mode, Podcast Mode, Movie Mode, and Gaming Mode. Each is tailored to the content type you intend to stream, with Music Mode benefitting from head tracking. Unfortunately, this comes with noticeable latency that can be a nuisance to your listening experience. The Fixed mode is no better and lacks spatial clarity, making distinguishing between different auditory elements difficult. The Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro will need improved spatial audio functionality to appease movie enthusiasts.
A dust-resistant IP rating
The best workout earbuds come with grippy coating, ear hooks, concha fins, or wings. They also sport a robust Ingress Protection (IP) rating to protect against sweat and small solid particles. Some workout buds, like the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2, wear an IP68 rating. This means the buds can endure total submersion in up to 3m of water for 30 minutes and are completely dust-tight. In the real world, it allows for vigorous exercise and dusty sports like rock climbing and quad biking.
The Liberty 4 Pro profit an IPX5 water-resistant rating. This protects the buds from omnidirectional water jets like a squirt gun but not from dust or small solid objects. Consequently, those living in drier environments or regularly participating in beach sports may give the Liberty 4 Pro a wide berth. The Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro could service more people if they adorn a dust-resistant IP rating at launch.
Bluetooth 5.4 (or 6.0)
Each iteration of Bluetooth has improved upon the last. For example, Bluetooth 1.0 was invented as a wireless alternative to serial cables, while version 2.0 brought Enhanced Data Rate (EDR) for wireless audio streaming. Fast-forward to today and Bluetooth 6.0 is on the horizon. This could bring Bluetooth Channel Sounding for accurate distance measuring between devices, security and efficiency improvements, and lower latency for audio applications.
However, as excited as I am, we are likely still a couple of years from receiving Bluetooth 6.0 in our consumer electronics. In the meantime, the current Bluetooth 5.4 standard brings enough improvements over version 5.3 to warrant Anker implementing it into the Liberty 5 Pro. For example, the protocol reduces latency and enjoys faster data transfer speeds for smoother audio transmission. It also consumes less power than its predecessor and profits a wider signal range to mitigate dropouts.
LE Audio and the LC3 codec
Much like the above, recent advancements in Bluetooth technology have seen the rise of higher-quality, lower-bitrate codecs. Even still, the rollout of the Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) standard and the accompanying LC3 codec look set to change the game. Unlike the default SBC codec that runs over Bluetooth Classic, LC3 works over Bluetooth LE and scales to very low bitrates while retaining good-sounding audio quality. The codec also allows multiple synchronous connections that could be handy for those who use hearing aids and other devices that make audio accessible.
The Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro run Bluetooth 5.3 with support for the SBC, AAC, and LDAC codecs. However, while Bluetooth multipoint is supported, there is no Auracast functionality. This is a misstep, given that Auracast has worked since Bluetooth 5.2 and is a handy feature for the hearing impaired to connect directly to nearby broadcasts. LE Audio could also help to extend the battery life of the Liberty 5 Pro beyond the five hours and 42 minutes of their predecessor.
What would you like to see Anker bring to the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro?
Will there be an Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro?
Anker continues to be a bastion of affordable earbuds packed with flagship features. For example, the Liberty 4 NC cost ($99.99 at Amazon) and earn our recommendation as one of the best earbuds under $100. The company’s latest Liberty 4 Pro continue this legacy and live among the best wireless earbuds on the market thanks to their impressive and affordable feature set.
Unfortunately, there has been no official announcement from Anker about the Liberty 5 Pro. Rumors are also sparse, given the current model was released mere months ago. It is unlikely that we will see an upgrade soon.
- Anker Soundcore Liberty 2 Pro — May 31, 2019
- Anker Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro — August 12, 2021
- Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro — October 3, 2024
However, we can surmise an approximate launch date by analyzing Anker’s previous release schedule. For example, the Soundcore Liberty 2 Pro came to market on May 31, 2019. The updated Liberty 3 Pro launched roughly two years and two months later on August 12, 2021. The latest Liberty 4 Pro followed three years and two months later on October 3, 2024. If we take the average time between each release, we should expect the Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro to come to shelves in the summer of 2027.
Should you wait for the Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro?
The Liberty 4 Pro are Anker’s best earbuds and are brimming with desirable features. If you don’t care about buying household brands like Sony and Apple, grab a pair of the Liberty 4 Pro. You can purchase the product from the company’s website and major retailers including Amazon and Best Buy. Given the current model are so good, I do not recommend waiting for the Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro to materialize.
Anker’s Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro ($129.99 at Amazon) are some of the best true wireless earbuds money can buy. For example, sound quality is excellent, with the earbuds producing a consumer-friendly frequency curve that most people will find pleasing. Noise canceling is also very good at this price range and delivers roughly 30dB of low-frequency noise attenuation. Battery life runs above average at 5 hours and 42 minutes, with the case providing an additional 24 hours of charge. Fast charging begets four hours from a five-minute top-up, and the case can be charged atop a wireless charging pad. Downloading the Soundcore app unlocks vital firmware updates, an environmental noise slider, and wind noise reduction. If you want to tweak your sound, you can utilize Anker’s HearID Sound Test, 22 EQ presets, and eight-band custom EQ.
Those seeking superior comfort and many features should nab the Nothing Ear ($149 at Amazon.) For slightly more than the Liberty 4 Pro, fans receive earbuds with a pleasing 4.6g design ready to wear for hours. The buds are IP54-rated and the case enjoys an IP55 rating to endure wet and dusty weather. Downloading the Nothing X app provides a basic and advanced EQ, and the buds also integrate with ChatGPT. However, you need a supported Nothing phone to use this feature. The Nothing Ear run Bluetooth 5.3 with support for the SBC, AAC, LHDC 5.0, and LDAC codecs. Battery life lasts over eight hours with ANC enabled and the case tops up 40 hours of total playback time. You can charge the case wirelessly and the buds fast charge 10 hours from a 10-minute boost. The sound quality is pleasing, although noise canceling is mediocre and changes the sound profile when activated.
If best-in-class sound quality is your jam, check out the Creative Aurvana Ace 2 ($149.99 at Amazon.) Sporting xMEMS Cowell solid-state drivers, Snapdragon Sound, and the aptX Lossless codec, these earbuds are turning the heads of many audiophiles. Running Bluetooth 5.3, the buds also support the aptX Adaptive, LC3, AAC, and SBC codecs. The Creative app lets you utilize a parametric equalizer to hone your sound, download firmware updates, enable low latency mode, and toggle ANC on and off. Battery life lasts over six hours, with the case providing 24 hours of total listening time. You can also fast charge one hour from a 10-minute top-up. Noise canceling is decent, attenuating low frequencies around 100Hz by roughly 30dB. The earbuds are lightweight and comfortable and adorn an IPX5 water-resistant rating.
There is still no better companion to an iPhone than the Apple AirPods Pro 2 ($189.99 at Amazon.) Using the company’s latest H2 chip, the earbuds award one of the most pleasing frequency responses on the market. Noise canceling is also excellent and dampens outside noise by roughly 20-30dB. The earbud’s battery life lasts nearly six hours with ANC enabled. The case can be charged atop a Qi, MagSafe, or Apple Watch charging mat. iPhone owners can run an ear tip fit test, customize controls, and enjoy Audio Sharing. The AirPods Pro 2 offer personalized spatial audio with head tracking, adaptive transparency mode, and auto-wear detection. As of September 9, 2024, the AirPods Pro 2 also support hearing health features including a hearing test that lets you use the buds as a hearing aid.
Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro FAQs
There are several reasons why your Anker Soundcore product may sound quiet. While it may seem obvious, ensure your Soundcore product is fully charged and the volume is turned up on your earbuds and paired device. If the problem persists, try connecting your product to another device. Alternatively, try resetting your Soundcore earbuds. If you own the latest Liberty 4 Pro, hold the touch bar on the charging case for 5 seconds. Slide and select Reset on the function menu, then double-tap to confirm.
This is subjective, although Skullcandy delivers a more substantive list of gaming headsets with boom microphones. If you like bass, you should enjoy Skullcandy and Anker’s offerings. For example, the Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 has a head-rattling amount of bass that is difficult to tame, as does the Anker Soundcore Life Q30.
There are a few reasons why your Soundcore earbuds may not be pairing. Firstly, ensure Bluetooth is enabled on your source device by navigating your settings menu and toggling the Bluetooth button. Place the buds inside the charging case with the lid open until they appear in the dropdown menu. If you don’t see them, try resetting the earbuds. The latest Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro can be reset by holding the touch bar on the charging case for 5 seconds and navigating the function menu until you find the Reset option. Double-tap to confirm, and try repairing the earbuds to your device.
The Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro are the company’s best earbuds thanks to their affordable price tag, comfortable fit, and comprehensive feature set.