Apple AirPods Max 2 / Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE (SM-R420)

Apple AirPods Max 2: A3454 · USB-C

Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE (SM-R420): Galaxy Buds3 FE, SM-R420 (2025); Black and Gray. Sealed in-ear design with silicone tips. The tipless semi-open Galaxy Buds3, the Buds3 Pro and the original 2023 Galaxy Buds FE are separate models.

SpecificationApple AirPods Max 2Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE (SM-R420)
Release year20262025
ModelA3454

Listed in Apple’s model table as AirPods Max 2, introduced in 2026.

Apple		—
Announcement and availabilityAnnounced 16 March 2026; orders from 25 March; deliveries from early April

US and more than 30 other countries and regions.

Apple		—
ColoursMidnight, Starlight, Blue, Purple, Orange Apple—
ChipApple H2 in each ear cup Apple—
Driver and amplifierApple-designed dynamic driver; custom high-dynamic-range amplifier; dual neodymium ring magnet motor

The manufacturer pages read give no frequency range or impedance.

Apple		—
Noise controlANC, Transparency mode and Adaptive Audio; up to 1.5x more effective than the previous generation

Apple’s claim, based on IEC 60268-24 testing; it does not mean the same reduction in every environment.

Apple		Active noise cancelling (ANC) and ambient sound

ANC uses microphones to detect outside sound and plays inverted sound to reduce steady noise such as engines and hum. Ambient sound lets you hear your surroundings without removing the earbuds. Adaptive ANC that adjusts to the environment is not listed for this model.

Samsung
MicrophonesNine microphones: eight for ANC, three for voice pickup (two shared) Apple—
SensorsOptical, position, case-detect and accelerometer in each cup; gyroscope in the left cup only Apple—
ControlsDigital Crown (volume, play/pause, calls, Siri) and a listening mode button

No separate power button is listed.

Apple		—
Bluetooth5.3

The manufacturer does not state supported audio codecs.

Apple		—
Wired audioLossless and ultra-low-latency audio over USB-C; 24-bit / 48 kHz

Requires compatible content and a supported app. Lossless audio is not offered over Bluetooth.

Apple		—
Analogue inputAnalogue sources via a USB-C to 3.5 mm audio cable

The cable is not listed among the box contents.

Apple		—
Battery lifeUp to 20 hours of listening with ANC on

Apple’s test: pre-production units, 50% volume, ANC on, Spatial Audio fixed. Actual time depends on settings and environment.

Apple		—
Quick chargeAbout 1.5 hours of listening from 5 minutes of charging Apple—
ChargingUSB-C; ultra-low-power state when stored in the Smart Case Apple—
Dimensions168.6 × 83.4 × 187.3 mm (width × depth × height), including cushions Apple—
Weight386.2 g; Smart Case 134.5 g

Apple says size and weight vary by configuration and manufacturing process.

Apple		—
Build and cushionsAnodised aluminium ear cups; breathable knit-mesh canopy; stainless steel telescoping arms; memory foam and mesh-textile cushions Apple—
Water and dust resistanceNone

Apple lists this feature as not applicable to AirPods Max 2.

Apple		—
Audio featuresAdaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness, Voice Isolation, Personalized Volume, Loud Sound Reduction, Adaptive EQ; Personalized Spatial Audio with head tracking

Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness, Voice Isolation and Personalized Volume need current firmware and operating system. A Spatial Audio profile needs an iPhone with a TrueDepth camera.

Apple		—
Live TranslationBeta; needs an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone on iOS 26 or later

Languages: Chinese (simplified and traditional), English (US, UK), French (France), German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish (Spain). Turkish is not listed.

Apple		—
Software requirementiOS and iPadOS 26.4 or later; current operating system on Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV and Apple Vision Pro

On older Apple software and non-Apple devices it works as basic Bluetooth headphones with limited functionality.

Apple		—
Firmware9A348 (latest version in Apple’s list); adds an Equalizer control

Apple’s page gives no release date for this version.

Apple		—
In the boxAirPods Max 2, Smart Case, USB-C charge cable, documentation Apple—
AccessibilityLive Listen, Headphone levels, Headphone Accommodations

Requires the latest iOS or iPadOS.

Apple		—
Design and fit—Sealed in-ear design, silicone tips (three sizes), stem body; earbud 18.0 × 21.1 × 33.8 mm, 5 g (with M tip); case 58.9 × 48.7 × 24.4 mm, 41.8 g

Silicone tips seal the ear canal, blocking outside sound passively and helping bass sound fuller; if the tip does not seal, noise cancelling and bass both weaken.

Samsung
Driver and microphones—1-way dynamic driver; 3 microphones per earbud Samsung
Connectivity and codecs—Bluetooth 5.4, Auto Switch; SSC (Samsung Seamless Codec), AAC, SBC

SSC is Samsung’s own codec for higher-quality audio with Galaxy devices; other phones use AAC or SBC. Auto Switch moves the connection automatically between Galaxy devices on the same account.

Samsung
Battery—Earbud 53 mAh, case 515 mAh (typical); music: 6 h / 24 h total with ANC on, 8.5 h / 30 h total with ANC off; talk: 4 h / 18 h total

Samsung’s times come from internal tests with pre-production units and default settings; rated capacity is 50 mAh per earbud and 500 mAh for the case. Real runtime depends on volume, codec and battery age.

Samsung
Sensors and controls—Proximity, Hall, touch and pressure sensors; pinch/swipe controls on the stem Samsung
Water resistance—IP54 (earbuds only)

IP54 means limited dust protection and resistance to splashing water from any direction; it is not suitable for submersion. The charging case is not protected.

Samsung
Compatibility—Android 11 or later with more than 1.5 GB of RAM

Samsung notes some features may be unavailable on non-Samsung devices. Equaliser, ANC settings and AI features are managed in the Galaxy Wearable app or One UI settings.

Samsung