Liberty 5 is worth considering if you want LDAC alongside two-device connection, prefer stem presses or want Dolby Audio. Liberty 4 NC remains a sensible choice if its connections and fit already work for you. The newer model does not automatically give you longer playback in every mode.
This guide compares standard Liberty 5 (A3957) with Liberty 4 NC (A3947), not Liberty 4, Liberty 4 Pro or Liberty 5 Pro/Pro Max. Official sources were checked on October 5, 2026. We have not conducted listening, microphone, comfort or ANC tests. Purchase links may generate an affiliate commission for SEFP Journal without an additional charge to you.
The differences that can affect your purchase
The official US Liberty 4 NC page and Liberty 5 page provide these specifications. Battery totals include charging-case recharges; they are not uninterrupted earbud playback.
| Consideration | Liberty 4 NC | Liberty 5 |
|---|---|---|
| ANC designation | Adaptive ANC 2.0 | Adaptive ANC 3.0 |
| LDAC | Yes; enabled through app/firmware | Yes; compatible source required |
| Controls | Touch surface | Stem presses |
| Earbud dust/water rating | IPX4 | IP55 |
| ANC-on advertised playback: buds / total | 8 / 40 hours | 8 / 32 hours |
| Normal-mode advertised playback: buds / total | 10 / 50 hours | 12 / 48 hours |
| Dolby Audio | Not listed | App-activated feature |
These ratings apply to the earbuds, not permission to immerse the case. Fit and a good seal matter to ANC. The table uses US ANC naming; Japan uses a different marketing designation. Different driver sizes and ANC generation names do not establish a measured sound-quality winner.
LDAC and two-device connection: check the exact model
Liberty 4 NC’s official product FAQ says enabling LDAC exits multipoint. By contrast, the official Liberty 5 dual-connection FAQ permits two-device connection with LDAC or Dolby Sound, but quotes only four hours of battery life in that configuration. Do not interpret this as mixing two audio streams or as simultaneous LDAC and Dolby playback.
For LDAC, check your phone and firmware. Anker Japan’s Liberty 5 product notes require an LDAC-compatible device running Android 8.0 or later; its official app setup guide states that iOS does not support the LDAC setting. Liberty 4 NC’s FAQ gives the same Android/iOS distinction and an app firmware-update procedure. Bluetooth version alone does not establish codec support.
Compare runtime in the mode you will use
The Liberty 5 FAQ gives eight hours with ANC, twelve in Normal mode, and five with ANC plus Dolby Sound. It also repeats the four-hour dual-connection/LDAC-or-Dolby figure. These are manufacturer lab claims, not our results. The FAQ describes default settings and 50% volume; actual playback varies with source, volume, environment and usage.
Liberty 4 NC’s product FAQ lists five hours with LDAC plus ANC and six with LDAC while ANC is off. Do not compare one model’s headline Normal-mode maximum with the other’s high-codec or Dolby setting. We have not established a controlled, identical-codec battery comparison between the two.
Do the ANC and Dolby claims justify an upgrade?
Soundcore’s Liberty 5 page attributes its stronger voice-reduction claim to a manufacturer comparison against Liberty 4 NC in the 300 Hz–3 kHz range. That is not a guarantee that voices disappear, or that every type of noise is reduced twice as much. Dolby Audio must be enabled in the app; the manufacturer says its effect varies with source quality and playback device. Try the controls and fit within the seller’s applicable return conditions if these are your main reasons to switch.
Which should you buy or keep?
- Keep or choose Liberty 4 NC: it fits securely, you can use multipoint without LDAC, and its actual local offer is better for your budget. LDAC support itself is not a reason to replace it.
- Consider Liberty 5: you need the documented LDAC-plus-dual-connection option and accept its shorter quoted runtime, or prefer stem controls and its app effects. The dust/water rating is another specification to compare for your use.
- Buying for an iPhone: do not pay extra expecting LDAC to become available. Decide using fit, controls, ANC needs, app effects and price.
Check current US Liberty 4 NC offers and US Liberty 5 offers. Verify model, regional warranty, contents, shipping and final price; stock and promotions can change. If you are comparing the separate Pro tiers, use our Liberty 5 / 5 Pro / Pro Max guide. That is a different buying decision.
Frequently asked questions
Is Liberty 5 a universal battery upgrade?
No. Its Normal-mode single-charge claim is higher, while the advertised ANC-on single-charge figure is the same and its case-inclusive ANC total is lower. Advanced settings change runtime further.
Can I carry every Liberty 5 Pro feature over to Liberty 5?
No. These are separate models. Check the standard A3957 documentation for the unit you are buying; do not import codec, connection or spatial-audio claims from a Pro/Pro Max listing.
Sources: linked manufacturer product pages, the model-specific FAQs and Anker Japan’s app guide, checked October 5, 2026. No current price saving, replacement-accessory stock or measured performance advantage is asserted.
