AirPods Max

AirPods Max are wireless Bluetooth over-ear headphones designed by Apple, and released on December 15, 2020. They are Apple's highest-end option in the AirPods lineup, sold alongside the base model AirPods and mid-range AirPods Pro.

AirPods Max

AirPods Max in Space Gray
Developer	Apple Inc.
Manufacturer	Luxshare (on contract), Goertek (on contract)
Product family	AirPods
Type	Wireless headphones
Release date	Lightning version: December 15, 2020; 4 years ago (2020-12-15) USB-C version: September 20, 2024; 3 months ago (2024-09-20)
Introductory price	US$549.00
Discontinued	Lightning version: September 9, 2024 (2024-09-09)
System on a chip	Apple H1 (each ear cup)
Input	Nine microphones, optical sensor (each ear cup), position sensor (each ear cup), case-detect sensor (each ear cup), accelerometer (each ear cup), gyroscope (left ear cup)[1]
Connectivity	Bluetooth 5.0 Lightning port (before September 20, 2024) or USB-C port (after September 20, 2024) for charging and audio line-in via USB and 3.5mm jack[1]
Current firmware	6A325[2]
Dimensions	AirPods: 6.64 x 3.28 x 7.37 in (168.6 x 83.4 x 187.3 mm)[1]
Weight	AirPods 13.6 ounces (384.8 g) Charging case 4.74 ounces (134.5 g)[1]
Related	AirPods, AirPods Pro
Website	apple.com/airpods-max

The main changes of the AirPods Max over the mid-range AirPods Pro are the over-ear design with larger speakers, inclusion of Apple's Digital Crown (found on the Apple Watch), more color options, and longer battery life.

Overview

Apple announced AirPods Max on December 8, 2020 via a press release, and released them on December 15, 2020. AirPods Max features an over-ear headphone design.

AirPods Max have an H1 chip in each ear cup,^[3] which is also found in the second-generation AirPods and first-generation AirPods Pro. AirPods Max, like the AirPods Pro, come with Apple's Active Noise Cancellation technology for blocking outside noise, and Transparency mode for listening to sounds around users. The "Digital Crown", similar to that of the Apple Watch, allows users to play or pause audio, control volume, skip tracks, control phone calls, and activate Siri. Proximity sensors automatically detect when they are on a user's head and play or pause audio accordingly. Spatial audio uses built-in gyroscopes and accelerometers to track movement of the user's head and provide what Apple describes as a "theater-like" experience.^[4][3][5]

Apple claims 20 hours of battery life, with five minutes of charging delivering 1.5 hours of listening time. AirPods Max are charged via the Lightning port. The Lightning port can also be used for line-in audio, with Apple selling cables with USB-A, USB-C and 3.5mm headphone ends.

AirPods Max are bundled with a Smart Case for storing.^[3] The Smart Case includes magnets that switch AirPods Max to low-power mode.^[6]

AirPods Max are available in five colors: Space Gray, Silver, Sky Blue, Green, and Pink. Users can select from these five colors separately for the ear cushions and external chassis for a total of 25 color combinations (or 125 if using two different ear cushion colors).^[7]

Updated AirPods Max were released on September 20, 2024. They feature USB-C charging and new colors: Midnight, Starlight, Blue, Purple, and Orange.^[8]

Compatibility

AirPods Max are compatible with any device that supports Bluetooth, including Android and Windows devices, although certain features such as Siri require an Apple device running iOS 14.3, iPadOS 14.3, watchOS 7.2, tvOS 14 or macOS Big Sur.^[9]

Comparative technical specifications of all AirPods models v t e

In production Discontinued Vintage Obsolete[10] Model iPhone Bluetooth Headset[11] AirPods (1st gen) AirPods (2nd gen) AirPods Pro (1st gen) AirPods Max AirPods (3rd gen) AirPods Pro 2 (previously 2nd gen) AirPods 4 AirPods 4 with ANC Timeline Announced January 9, 2007[12] September 7, 2016 March 20, 2019 October 28, 2019 December 8, 2020 October 18, 2021 September 7, 2022 September 9, 2024 Released June 29, 2007[12] December 13, 2016 October 30, 2019 December 15, 2020 October 26, 2021 September 23, 2022 September 20, 2024 Discontinued March 23, 2009[12] March 20, 2019 September 9, 2024 September 7, 2022 In production September 9, 2024 In production In production Model Model number[13] L A1221 A1722 A2031 A2084 A2096 A2564 A2931, A2699, A2698 A3053, A3050, A3054 A3056, A3055, A3057 R A1523 A2032 A2083 A2565 Case A1602 (Lightning) A1602 (Lightning) A1938 (Wireless, Lightning) A2190 (Wireless, Lightning) A2190 (MagSafe, Lightning) A2897 (Lightning) A2566 (MagSafe, Lightning) A2700 (MagSafe, Lightning) A2968 (MagSafe, USB-C) A3058 (USB-C) A3059 (Wireless, USB-C) Model identifier [data missing] AirPods1,1 AirPods2,1 iProd8,1 iProd8,6 AirPods1,3 AirPodsPro1,2 and AirPods3,1 AirPods1,4 and AirPods3,2[14] AirPods1,4 and AirPods3,3[14] Order numbers MA817AM (with iPhone dual dock) MB536AM (without iPhone dual dock) MMEF2AM MV7N2AM (Lightning) MRXJ2AM (wireless) MWP22AM MGYJ3AM (silver) MGYH3AM (space gray) MGYL3AM (sky blue) MGYM3AM (pink) MGYN3AM (green) (Lightning) (midnight) (starlight) (blue) (orange) (purple) (USB-C) MME73AM MQD83AM Compatibility Bluetooth 2.0 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch models with iOS 10 or later, Apple Watch models with watchOS 3 or later, and Mac models with macOS Sierra or later.[15] Devices running iOS 12.2 or later, macOS Mojave 10.14.4 or later, and watchOS 5.2 or later.[16] Devices that support Bluetooth, including Android and Windows devices, although certain features such as Siri require an Apple device running iOS 13.2, watchOS 6.1, tvOS 13.2, and macOS Catalina 10.15.1 Devices that support Bluetooth, including Android and Windows devices, although certain features such as Siri require an Apple device running iOS 14.3, iPadOS 14.3, watchOS 7.2, tvOS 14 or macOS Big Sur.[17] Devices that support Bluetooth, including Android and Windows devices, although certain features such as Siri require an Apple device running iOS 15.1 or later, iPadOS 15.1 or later, macOS Monterey 12.0 or later, and watchOS 8.1 or later.[18] Devices that support Bluetooth, including Android and Windows devices, although certain features such as Siri require an Apple device running iOS 15.1 or later, iPadOS 15.1 or later, macOS Monterey 12.0 or later, and watchOS 8.1 or later.[18] System on a chip None Apple W1 chip Apple H1 chip (343S00289, 343S00290) Apple H1 chip Apple H1 chip (343S00404) Apple H1 chip Apple H2 chip Apple H2 chip Battery Strength Per AirPod [data missing] 0.093 Wh 0.16 Wh 2 × 2.53 Wh (right ear cup) 0.133 Wh  ? ? Case 1.52 Wh 1.98 Wh 1.33 Wh 1.997 Wh ? Capacity No case 398 mAh (case) 519 mAh (case) 664 mAh (right ear cup) 345 mAh (case) 523 mAh (case) Firmware Original release Not upgradable 3.3.1 6.3.2 2B584 3C16 3E751 5A374 Latest / final[2] 6.8.8 6A326 6A326 6A326 (Lighting) 7A291 (USB-C) 6A326 7A302 7A304 7A304 Introductory US Price 129$ 159$ 159$ 249$ 549$ 179$ 249$ 129$ 179$

Criticism

AirPods Max with Smart Case

The AirPods Max Smart Case's design has been mocked by technology reviewers, along with users on Twitter for its resemblance to that of a bra or purse. Reporter Daniel Piper of Creative Bloq states: "If we're not entirely convinced by the design of the AirPods Max themselves, we're utterly baffled by that of their charging 'Smart Case'. The shape resembles, well, lots of things, from handbags to body parts."^[19][20][21]

Numerous people have reported that condensation can build up near the drivers of the closed-back headphones after prolonged use under the removable ear cups.^[22] It has been suspected that the major cause is its full-metal body that naturally has temperature-dependent thermal conductivity.^[23]

See also

• Apple headphones – Lineup of products manufactured by Apple, Inc.
  • AirPods – Wireless earbuds by Apple
  • AirPods Pro – Wireless earbuds produced by Apple
• Pixel Buds – Line of earbuds developed by Google
• Samsung Galaxy Buds Live – Wireless earbuds from Samsung Electronics

References

1. "AirPods Max - Technical Specifications". Apple. Archived from the original on August 22, 2021. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
2. "About firmware updates for AirPods". Apple Support. Apple Inc. April 2, 2024. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
3. "Apple Announces AirPods Max Over-Ear Headphones With Noise Cancellation, Priced at $549". www.macrumors.com. December 8, 2020. Archived from the original on December 8, 2020. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
4. Welch, Chris (December 8, 2020). "Apple announces $549 AirPods Max noise-canceling headphones, coming December 15th". The Verge. Archived from the original on December 8, 2020. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
5. Sherr, Ian. "Apple announces $549 AirPods Max over-ear headphones, preorders today, launch Dec. 15". CNET. Archived from the original on December 8, 2020. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
6. Lovejoy, Ben (December 17, 2020). "PSA: How to switch off AirPods Max without Apple 'bra' case". 9to5Mac. Archived from the original on May 21, 2022. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
7. "Here Are All 25 AirPods Max Color Combinations You Can Make With Swappable Ear Cushions". MacRumors. December 8, 2020. Archived from the original on December 8, 2020. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
8. "Apple refreshes its AirPods Max with USB-C and new colors". Engadget. September 9, 2024. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
9. "Set up AirPods Max with your Mac and other Bluetooth devices". Apple Support. Archived from the original on December 1, 2021. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
10. "Vintage and obsolete products". Apple.
11. Included for comparison purposes
12. "iPhone Bluetooth Headset – Specs, Release Date, and Original Price". August 14, 2020.
13. "Identify your AirPods". Apple Support. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
14. "Device Selection (AirPods)". AppleDB. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
15. "AirPods (1st generation) – Technical Specifications". support.apple.com. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
16. "What's the difference between AirPods 1 and AirPods 2?". iMore. January 22, 2020. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
17. "Set up AirPods Max with your Mac and other Bluetooth devices". Apple Support. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
18. "Get started with AirPods (3rd generation)". support.apple.com. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
19. Piper, Daniel (December 8, 2020). "Forget AirPods Max, everyone's talking about Apple's new Smart Case". Creative Bloq. Archived from the original on December 8, 2020. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
20. Hartmans, Avery. "Apple's new $550 AirPods Max headphones come with a carrying case that people are already saying looks like a purse or a bra". Business Insider. Archived from the original on December 8, 2020. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
21. Cooper, Gael Fashingbauer. "The case for Apple's new AirPods Max could double as a bra, the internet decides". CNET. Archived from the original on December 8, 2020. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
22. "Apple AirPods Max Condensation Issue Forming Water Droplets on Under Removable Earcups, Near Drivers". www.msn.com. Archived from the original on January 30, 2021. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
23. Hardy, Ed (December 29, 2020). "AirPods Max condensation makes some owners sweat". Cult of Mac. Archived from the original on January 4, 2021. Retrieved January 5, 2021.