Overview
AirPods Max reimagine over-ear headphones. An Apple-designed dynamic driver provides immersive high-fidelity audio. Every detail, from canopy to cushions, has been designed for an exceptional fit. Industry-leading Active Noise Cancellation blocks outside noise, while Transparency mode lets it in. And spatial audio with dynamic head tracking provides theater-like sound that surrounds you.1
In the Box
AirPods Max
Smart Case
Lightning to USB-C Cable
Documentation
Audio Technology
Apple-designed dynamic driver
Active Noise Cancellation
Transparency mode
Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking1
Adaptive EQ
Sensors
Optical sensor (each ear cup)
Position sensor (each ear cup)
Case-detect sensor (each ear cup)
Accelerometer (each ear cup)
Gyroscope (left ear cup)
Microphones
Nine microphones total:
Eight microphones for Active Noise Cancellation
Three microphones for voice pickup (two shared with Active Noise Cancellation and one additional microphone)
Chip
Apple H1 headphone chip (each ear cup)
Controls
Digital Crown
Turn for volume control
Press once to play, pause or answer a phone call
Press twice to skip forwards
Press three times to skip back
Noise control button
Press to switch between Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode
Size and Weight2
AirPods Max, including cushions
Width: 168.6mm
Profile width (earcups): 83.4mm
Height: 187.3mm
Weight: 384.8g
Smart Case
Weight: 134.5g
Battery
AirPods Max
Up to 20 hours of listening time on a single charge with Active Noise Cancellation or Transparency mode enabled3
Up to 20 hours of movie playback on a single charge with Personalised Spatial Audio on4
Up to 20 hours of talk time on a single charge5
5 minutes of charge time provides around 1.5 hours of listening time6
AirPods Max with Smart Case
Storage in the Smart Case preserves battery charge in ultra-low-power state
Charging via Lightning connector
Connectivity
Bluetooth 5.0 wireless technology
Accessibility7
Accessibility features help people with disabilities get the most out of their new AirPods Max.
Features include:
Live Listen audio
Headphone levels
Headphone Accommodations
System Requirements8
iPhone and iPod touch models with the latest version of iOS
iPad models with the latest version of iPadOS
Apple Watch models with the latest version of watchOS
Mac models with the latest version of macOS
Apple TV models with the latest version of tvOS
- Compatible hardware and software required. Works with compatible content in supported apps. Not all content available in Dolby Atmos. iPhone with TrueDepth camera required to create a personal profile for Spatial Audio, which will sync across Apple devices running the latest operating system software, including iOS, iPadOS, macOS and tvOS.
- Size and weight vary by configuration and manufacturing process.
- Testing conducted by Apple in November 2020 using pre-production AirPods Max and software, paired with iPhone 12 Pro Max units and pre-release software. The playlist consisted of 358 unique audio tracks purchased from the iTunes Store (256-Kbps AAC encoding). Volume was set to 50 per cent, with Active Noise Cancellation on and Spatial Audio on but not active. Testing consisted of full AirPods Max battery discharge while playing audio until the AirPods Max stopped playback. Battery life depends on device settings, environment, usage and many other factors.
- Testing conducted by Apple in November 2020 using pre-production AirPods Max and software, paired with iPhone 12 Pro Max units and pre-release software. Volume was set to 50 per cent, with Active Noise Cancellation on and Spatial Audio on and active. Testing consisted of full AirPods Max battery discharge while repeating playback of a 2-hour 23-minute movie purchased from the iTunes Store. Battery life depends on device settings, environment, usage and many other factors.
- Testing conducted by Apple in November 2020 using pre-production AirPods Max and software, paired with iPhone 12 Pro Max units and pre-release software. Volume was set to 50 per cent, with Active Noise Cancellation on and Spatial Audio on but not active. Testing consisted of full AirPods Max battery discharge with a mobile phone call until AirPods Max stopped playing call audio. Battery life depends on device settings, environment, usage and many other factors.
- Testing conducted by Apple in November 2020 using pre-production AirPods Max and software, paired with iPhone 12 Pro Max units and pre-release software. The playlist consisted of 358 unique audio tracks purchased from the iTunes Store (256-Kbps AAC encoding). Volume was set to 50 per cent, with Active Noise Cancellation on and Spatial Audio on but not active. Five-minute-charge testing conducted with drained AirPods Max that were charged for five minutes, then audio playback was started until the AirPods Max stopped playback. Battery life depends on device settings, environment, usage and many other factors.
- Requires the latest version of iOS or iPadOS.
- AirPods Max can be used as Bluetooth headphones with Apple devices using earlier software and with non-Apple devices, but functionality is limited.
- Audio Sharing is not supported.
◊ Works with AirPods Pro (2nd generation) with the latest firmware when paired with a compatible Apple device running the latest operating system software.
◊◊ Compatible hardware and software required. Works with compatible content in supported apps. Not all content available in Dolby Atmos. iPhone with TrueDepth camera required to create a personal profile for Spatial Audio, which will sync across Apple devices running the latest operating system software, including iOS, iPadOS, macOS and tvOS.
◊◊◊ AirPods (3rd generation) are sweat and water resistant for non-water sports and exercise, and they are IPX4 rated. Sweat and water resistance are not permanent conditions.
Δ AirPods Pro (2nd generation) are dust resistant and sweat and water resistant for non-water sports and exercise, and they are IP54 rated. Dust, sweat and water resistance are not permanent conditions.
ΔΔ MagSafe charging requires a compatible MagSafe charger. Wireless charging requires a Qi‑certified wireless charger. AirPods (3rd generation) charging case also works with the Apple Watch charger or Lightning connector. AirPods Pro (2nd generation) charging case also works with the Apple Watch charger or USB-C connector.
ΔΔΔ Battery life depends on device settings, environment, usage and many other factors.