The AirPods Max 2 was one of Apple’s biggest surprises of the year, and while the product isn’t as massive as something like the MacBook Neo, it was long overdue for an upgrade over the older-generation AirPods Max, which only received a USB-C makeover after Apple ditched the Lightning port on its flagship headphones.
Now, given that the AirPods Max has yet to be discontinued and is going for $449.99 on retailers like Amazon, does it make sense to spend the extra $100 and get the AirPods Max 2? Our comprehensive buying guide is going to be your new best friend today.
Physical dimensions and weight
Apple hasn’t changed a thing about the AirPods Max and AirPods Max 2 from the outside, as both generations sport the same dimensions and weight. Unsurprisingly, the Smart Case that comes with these top-tier wireless headphones is also unchanged.
| Physical dimensions and weight | AirPods Max | AirPods Max 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 7.37 inches (187.3mm) | 7.37 inches (187.3mm) |
| Width | 6.64 inches (168.6 mm) | 6.64 inches (168.6 mm) |
| Thickness | 3.28 inches (83.4 mm) | 3.28 inches (83.4 mm) |
| Weight | 386.2 grams | 386.2 grams |
| Smart Case weight | 134.5 grams | 134.5 grams |
All supported audio technologies
Despite looking the same, Apple has incorporated a ton of new audio technologies to help differentiate the sound quality and other features between the AirPods Max and AirPods Max 2. The average person may not differentiate between additions like Conversation Awareness, Voice Isolation, Personalized Volume, or Ultra-Low Latency Audio, but audiophiles will really appreciate these upgrades. In total, there are seven areas where the AirPods Max 2 towers over its immediate predecessor.
| All supported audio technologies | AirPods Max | AirPods Max 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Custom dynamic driver | Yes | Yes |
| High dynamic range amplifier | No | Yes |
| Active Noise Cancellation | Yes | Yes |
| Transparency Mode | Yes | Yes |
| Adaptive Audio | No | Yes |
| Conversation Awareness | No | Yes |
| Loud Sound Reduction | No | Yes |
| Voice Isolation | No | Yes |
| Lossless audio | Yes (via USB-C | Yes (via USB-C |
| Ultra-low latency audio | No | Yes |
| Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Adaptive EQ | Yes | Yes |
| Personalized Volume | No | Yes |
| Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Studio-quality audio recording | No | Yes |
Chip and sensors
Apple has finally given the AirPods Max 2 its custom H2 chip, the same one found in the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Pro 3. This means that you’ll experience twice as good Active Noise Cancellation, not to mention that it is the reason why the newest wireless headphones ship with the aforementioned features. The H2 chip should be a major deciding factor as to why you should upgrade. As for the other sensors, those remain unchanged.
| Chip and sensors | AirPods Max | AirPods Max 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | Custom H1 in each earcup | Custom H2 in each earcup |
| Optical sensor | In each earcup | In each earcup |
| Position sensor | In each earcup | In each earcup |
| Case-detect sensor | In each earcup | In each earcup |
| Accelerometer | In each earcup | In each earcup |
| Gyroscope | In each earcup | In each earcup |
Battery life
With Active Noise Cancellation enabled, both the AirPods Max and AirPods Max 2 last for up to 20 hours, bringing zero difference in battery endurance. Then again, there’s a huge contrast between getting the same runtime and getting the same audio experience, so while it’s a bummer that Apple didn’t cram in a larger battery, there are other perks to look forward to.
| Battery life | AirPods Max | AirPods Max 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 20 hours of listening time with Active Noise Cancellation enabled | Up to 20 hours of listening time with Active Noise Cancellation enabled |
Wired and wireless connectivity
Both wireless headphones feature a USB-C charging port, but the AirPods Max 2 supports Bluetooth 5.3 instead of the older Bluetooth 5.0 on the older AirPods Max. In short, you get better reliability with the newer Bluetooth standard, not to mention reduced latency and stronger encryption.
| Wired and wireless connectivity | AirPods Max | AirPods Max 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Charging | via USB-C | via USB-C |
Microphones
The total number of microphones remains the same between the two product generations, but as mentioned above, the AirPods Max 2 sporting the H2 chip boosts the hearing quality, bringing more clarity into the mix.
| Microphones | AirPods Max | AirPods Max 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Total microphones | 9 | 9 |
| Microphones in use for Active Noise Cancellation | 8 | 8 |
| Microphones in use for voice pickup | 3 | 3 |
Control capabilities with Digital Crown and Live Translations
Live Translations is an addition that’s not present on the AirPods Max, with the AirPods Max 2 providing real-time results to help minimize the language barrier. The Digital Crown placement also remains unchanged between the two, but you do get a camera remote trigger option on the AirPods Max 2, coupled with Siri Interactions and Listening mode.
| Control capabilities with Digital Crown | AirPods Max | AirPods Max 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Turn for volume control | Yes | Yes |
| Press once to play or pause media | Yes | Yes |
| Press once to answer a call or mute or unmute | Yes | Yes |
| Press once for camera remote | No | Yes |
| Press twice to end a call | Yes | Yes |
| Press twice to skip forward | Yes | Yes |
| Press three times to skip back | Yes | Yes |
| Press and hold for Siri | Yes | Yes |
| Listening mode button | No | Yes |
| Siri Interactions | No | Yes |
| Noise control button | Yes | No |
| Say 'Hey Siri' or just 'Siri' | Yes | Yes |
Protections
There’s no IP dust or water-resistance rating in either the AirPods Max or AirPods Max 2, meaning that it’s not advised to take these out, even when there’s light drizzling going on. For those concerned about sweating, these headphones feature removable earcups that can be cleaned whenever needed, bringing a whole new level of convenience.
| Protections | AirPods Max | AirPods Max 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Dust-resistant | No | No |
| Water-resistant | No | No |
| Sweat-resistant | No | No |
Which AirPods Max is the best for you?
The AirPods Max aren’t going to be available until March 25, giving you sufficient time to decide if you want to spend the extra $100 on the AirPods Max 2. Investing $549 is a decent amount for a pair of premium headphones, but the fact that a $100 bill will bring a boatload of upgrades is definitely worth the price. Now, if the AirPods Max were reduced to $399, we’d be giving you other recommendations.
As for those who don’t possess an affinity towards wireless headphones in any capacity, you can grab a pair of AirPods Pro 3 for just $199.99 on Amazon, making it the lowest price for these top-end wireless earbuds. Like the AirPods Max, you get the H2 chip, superior Active Noise Cancellation, and incredible battery life. Best of all, these cost almost one-third the price of the AirPods Max 2.
About the author: Omar Sohail is a reporter and analyst for Wccftech's mobile section, specializing in the technology and business of the mobile industry. His expertise lies in the intricate hardware supply chain, covering developments in semiconductor manufacturing, chip lithography, and camera sensor technology.
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