Apple AirPods Max 2: A3454 · USB-C
Apple AirPods Max (Lightning, 2020): AirPods Max 1, the first version with a Lightning charging port (2020); Silver, Space Grey, Sky Blue, Pink and Green. The 2024 USB‑C version and AirPods Max 2 are separate models.
| Specification | Apple AirPods Max 2 | Apple AirPods Max (Lightning, 2020) |
|---|---|---|
| Release year | 2026 | 2020 |
| Model | A3454 Apple | — |
| Announcement and availability | Announced 16 March 2026; orders from 25 March; deliveries from early April Apple | — |
| Colours | Midnight, Starlight, Blue, Purple, Orange Apple | — |
| Chip | Apple H2 in each ear cup Apple | Apple H1 headphone chip in each ear cup Apple |
| Driver and amplifier | Apple-designed dynamic driver; custom high-dynamic-range amplifier; dual neodymium ring magnet motor Apple | — |
| Noise control | ANC, Transparency mode and Adaptive Audio; up to 1.5x more effective than the previous generation Apple | — |
| Microphones | Nine microphones: eight for ANC, three for voice pickup (two shared) Apple | Nine microphones in total: eight for noise cancellation; three for voice pickup (two shared with noise cancellation) Apple |
| Sensors | Optical, position, case-detect and accelerometer in each cup; gyroscope in the left cup only Apple | Optical, position and case-detect sensors plus an accelerometer in each cup; gyroscope in the left cup Apple |
| Controls | Digital Crown (volume, play/pause, calls, Siri) and a listening mode button Apple | Digital Crown (volume, play/pause, calls, track skip, Siri) and noise control button Apple |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 Apple | — |
| Wired audio | Lossless and ultra-low-latency audio over USB-C; 24-bit / 48 kHz Apple | — |
| Analogue input | Analogue sources via a USB-C to 3.5 mm audio cable Apple | — |
| Battery life | Up to 20 hours of listening with ANC on Apple | — |
| Quick charge | About 1.5 hours of listening from 5 minutes of charging Apple | — |
| Charging | USB-C; ultra-low-power state when stored in the Smart Case Apple | — |
| Dimensions | 168.6 × 83.4 × 187.3 mm (width × depth × height), including cushions Apple | — |
| Weight | 386.2 g; Smart Case 134.5 g Apple | — |
| Build and cushions | Anodised aluminium ear cups; breathable knit-mesh canopy; stainless steel telescoping arms; memory foam and mesh-textile cushions Apple | — |
| Water and dust resistance | None Apple | — |
| Audio features | Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness, Voice Isolation, Personalized Volume, Loud Sound Reduction, Adaptive EQ; Personalized Spatial Audio with head tracking Apple | — |
| Live Translation | Beta; needs an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone on iOS 26 or later Apple | — |
| Software requirement | iOS and iPadOS 26.4 or later; current operating system on Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV and Apple Vision Pro Apple | — |
| Firmware | 9A348 (latest version in Apple’s list); adds an Equalizer control Apple | — |
| In the box | AirPods Max 2, Smart Case, USB-C charge cable, documentation Apple | — |
| Accessibility | Live Listen, Headphone levels, Headphone Accommodations Apple | — |
| Audio technology | — | Apple-designed dynamic driver; Active Noise Cancellation; Transparency mode; Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking; Adaptive EQ Apple |
| Battery | — | Up to 20 hours of listening with Active Noise Cancellation or Transparency on; up to 20 hours of movies with Spatial Audio on; 5 minutes of charge gives about 1.5 hours of listening Apple |
| Charging and case | — | Charging via Lightning; the battery enters an ultra-low-power state in the Smart Case Apple |
| Connectivity | — | Bluetooth 5.0 Apple |
| Size and weight | — | 187.3 × 168.6 × 83.4 mm; 384.8 g with cushions; Smart Case 134.5 g Apple |
| Compatibility | — | Apple devices running the latest iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, macOS or tvOS Apple |