AirPods Max 2 - Tech Specs
Year introduced: 2026
Colour
Midnight
Starlight
Blue
Purple
Orange
Audio Technology
Apple-designed dynamic driver
Custom-engineered high-dynamic-range amplifier
Active Noise Cancellation
Adaptive Audio1
Transparency mode
Conversation Awareness1
Voice Isolation2
Personalised Volume3
Loud Sound Reduction
Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking4
Adaptive EQ
Studio-quality audio recording
Lossless Audio and ultra-low-latency audio via USB‑C5
Live Translation
Live Translation for communicating across languages6
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 pick-up (two shared with Active Noise Cancellation and one additional microphone)
Chip
Apple H2 headphone chip (each ear cup)
Controls
Digital Crown
Turn for volume control
Press once to play or pause media
Press once to answer a call or mute or unmute7
Press once for camera remote8
Press twice to end a call
Press twice to skip forward
Press three times to skip back
Press and hold for Siri
Listening mode button
Press to switch between listening modes
Siri
Say just “Siri”9 or “Hey Siri” to do things like play a song, make a call or get directions
Siri Interactions10
Size and Weight11
AirPods Max 2, including cushions
Width: 168.6 mm (6.64 inches)
Depth: 83.4 mm (3.28 inches)
Height: 187.3 mm (7.37 inches)
Weight: 386.2 grams (13.6 ounces)
Smart Case
Weight: 134.5 grams (4.74 ounces)
Battery
AirPods Max 2
Up to 20 hours of listening time on a single charge with Active Noise Cancellation enabled12
AirPods Max 2 with Smart Case
Storage in the Smart Case preserves battery charge in ultra-low-power state
Charging via USB‑C
Connectivity
Bluetooth® 5.3 wireless technology
In the Box
AirPods Max 2
Smart Case
USB‑C Charge Cable
Documentation
Accessibility13
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 Requirements
iPhone 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
Apple Vision Pro with the latest version of visionOS
AirPods can be used as wireless Bluetooth headphones with Apple devices using earlier software and with non-Apple devices, but functionality may be limited.
AirPods Max 2 and the Environment
Progress towards Apple 2030
Apple 2030 is our commitment to be carbon neutral for our entire carbon footprint. Our plan to decarbonise products is rigorous and focuses on transitioning to low-carbon electricity, designing with recycled and low-carbon materials, and prioritising lower-carbon ways of shipping products, like ocean freight.
Materials
100% recycled copper in multiple printed circuit boards
100% recycled gold plating and tin solder in all Apple-designed printed circuit boards
100% recycled rare earth elements in all magnets
90% recycled polyester in the canopy and cushion yarn
100% recycled polyester inside the ear cushion
Packaging
100% fibre-based packaging14
Waste
No established final assembly sites generate waste sent to landfill as part of Apple’s Zero Waste Program15
Smarter chemistry16
All of the materials used in Apple products, accessories and packaging are covered by the requirements of our Regulated Substances Specification, which was one of the first in industry to restrict the use of key substances of concern. See the latest Environmental Progress Report to understand Apple’s recent efforts in phasing out these chemistries.
Available on AirPods Max 2 with the latest firmware when paired with compatible devices running iOS 26.4, iPadOS 26.4 or macOS 26.4 and later.
Available on AirPods Max 2 with the latest firmware when paired with compatible devices running iOS 26.4, iPadOS 26.4 or macOS 26.4 and later. For the best performance, update to the latest software.
Available on AirPods Max 2 with the latest firmware when paired with compatible devices running the latest operating system software, including iOS, iPadOS and macOS.
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.
Ultra-low-latency audio and Lossless Audio listening requires a wired USB‑C connection and compatible content from supported apps and services.
Live Translation with AirPods works on AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation and AirPods Pro 2 and later with the latest firmware when paired with an Apple Intelligence–enabled iPhone running iOS 26 and later. Live Translation with AirPods works on AirPods Max 2 with the latest firmware when paired with an Apple Intelligence–enabled iPhone running iOS 26.4 and later. Available in beta. Some features may not be available in all regions or languages; for more information, see Feature Availability.
Available in compatible applications with the latest firmware.
Available on AirPods Max 2 with the latest firmware when paired with compatible devices running iOS 26.4 or iPadOS 26.4 and later.
Siri and activating with just “Siri” may not be available in all languages or in all areas, and features may vary by area. Compatible device and internet access required. Mobile data charges may apply. Activating with just “Siri” is not available on AirPods with the H1 headphone chip and Intel-based Mac computers. Devices must support and have the latest operating system software.
Available on AirPods Max 2 with the latest firmware when paired with compatible devices running iOS 26.4, iPadOS 26.4 or macOS 26.4 and later.
Size and weight vary by configuration and manufacturing process.
Testing conducted by Apple in January and February 2026 using preproduction AirPods Max 2 paired with production iPhone 17 Pro Max units, all with prerelease software. The playlist consisted of 358 unique audio tracks purchased from the iTunes Store (256-Kbps AAC encoding). Volume was set to 50%, Active Noise Cancellation was enabled and Spatial Audio was set to fixed. 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.
Requires the latest version of iOS or iPadOS.
Breakdown of US retail packaging by weight. Adhesives, inks and coatings are excluded from our calculations.
All established final assembly supplier sites — those that have been Apple suppliers for more than one year — for AirPods Max 2 are third-party verified as Zero Waste by UL LLC (UL 2799 Standard). UL requires at least 90% diversion through methods other than waste to energy to achieve Zero Waste to Landfill (Silver 90–94%, Gold 95–99% and Platinum 100%) designations.
Apple’s Regulated Substances Specification describes Apple’s restrictions on the use of certain chemical substances in materials in Apple products, accessories, manufacturing processes and packaging used for shipping products to Apple’s end-customers. Restrictions are derived from international laws or directives, regulatory agencies, eco-label requirements, environmental standards and Apple policies. Every Apple product is free of PVC and phthalates except for AC power cords in India, Thailand (for two-prong AC power cords) and South Korea, where we continue to seek government approval for our PVC and phthalates replacement. Apple products comply with the European Union Directive 2011/65/EU and its amendments, including exemptions for the use of lead such as high-temperature solder. Apple is working to phase out the use of these exempted substances for new products where technically possible.