Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 / Apple AirPods Max (Lightning, 2020)

Google Pixel Buds Pro 2: GA12449-series in-ear earbuds; Porcelain, Hazel, Peony, Moonstone, Olive and other colours. The original Pixel Buds Pro and Pixel Buds 2a are separate models.

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	Google Pixel Buds Pro 2	Apple AirPods Max (Lightning, 2020)
Release year	2024	2020
Chip	Google Tensor A1 in each earbud Google says Tensor A1 adapts audio to the environment up to 3 million times per second and runs noise cancellation twice as strong as the original Pixel Buds Pro; music and noise-cancellation processing run on separate paths. Google	Apple H1 headphone chip in each ear cup Apple
Noise control	Active Noise Cancellation with Silent Seal 2.0; Transparency mode; active in-ear pressure relief; Conversation Detection Pressure relief reduces the plugged-ear feeling of sealed earbuds. Conversation Detection pauses music and switches to transparency when you start talking. Google	—
Driver	Custom-designed 11 mm dynamic driver per earbud Google	—
Microphones	Three mics per earbud; voice accelerometer; wind-blocking mesh covers The voice accelerometer picks up jaw vibration while you speak to help separate your voice from ambient noise. Google’s Clear Calling and Super Wideband calling require compatible Pixel phones. Google	Nine microphones in total: eight for noise cancellation; three for voice pickup (two shared with noise cancellation) Apple
Connectivity	Bluetooth 5.4 with Super Wideband; works with Bluetooth 4.0+ devices Full features need an Android 6.0 or newer phone, a Google Account and an internet connection; basic listening works with an iPhone. Google	Bluetooth 5.0 Apple
Battery	ANC off 12 hours (48 hours with case); ANC on 8 hours (30 hours with case); 5 minutes charge gives 1.5 hours (ANC off) Google’s blog footnote says figures were measured on pre-production hardware with other features disabled; real-world time may be shorter. Google	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’s figures come from pre-production tests with an iPhone 12 Pro Max in November 2020. Apple
Charging case	USB-C and Qi-certified wireless charging; ringtone speaker for Find Hub; Hall effect sensor for open/close The case speaker lets you ring a lost case through Find Hub. Google	—
Sensors	Capacitive touch (tap and swipe); IR proximity sensor; accelerometer and gyroscope The proximity sensor pauses music automatically when you take an earbud out; swiping adjusts volume. Google	Optical, position and case-detect sensors plus an accelerometer in each cup; gyroscope in the left cup The position and optical sensors detect when the headphones are put on or taken off to pause and resume playback. Apple
Durability	Earbuds IP54; case IPX4 IP54 limits dust ingress and resists splashing water from any direction; the earbuds should not be submerged. The case has no dust rating. Google	—
Size and weight	Earbud (medium tip) 22.74 × 23.08 × 17.03 mm, 4.7 g; case 49.9 × 63.3 × 25 mm, 65 g with earbuds Google says the earbuds are 27% smaller and 24% lighter than the original Pixel Buds Pro. Google	187.3 × 168.6 × 83.4 mm; 384.8 g with cushions; Smart Case 134.5 g Apple
Software support	Automatic security updates for at least three years from first availability on the US Google Store Google	—
Audio technology	—	Apple-designed dynamic driver; Active Noise Cancellation; Transparency mode; Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking; Adaptive EQ A Personalised Spatial Audio profile is created with an iPhone that has a TrueDepth camera; the feature needs compatible content and apps. Apple
Controls	—	Digital Crown (volume, play/pause, calls, track skip, Siri) and noise control button Turning the Digital Crown changes the volume; the noise control button switches between Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode. Apple
Charging and case	—	Charging via Lightning; the battery enters an ultra-low-power state in the Smart Case The box contains the headphones, the Smart Case and a Lightning to USB‑C cable. There is no separate power button; the Smart Case handles power saving. Apple
Compatibility	—	Apple devices running the latest iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, macOS or tvOS They work as Bluetooth headphones with Apple devices on older software and with non-Apple devices, but functionality is limited. Apple