Apple AirPods Max 2 / Apple AirPods 4

Apple AirPods Max 2: A3454 · USB-C

Apple AirPods 4: AirPods 4 (2024), the basic model without active noise cancellation; USB‑C charging case. The same-design AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation and the AirPods Pro models are separate.

Specification	Apple AirPods Max 2	Apple AirPods 4
Release year	2026	2024
Model	A3454 Listed in Apple’s model table as AirPods Max 2, introduced in 2026. Apple	—
Announcement and availability	Announced 16 March 2026; orders from 25 March; deliveries from early April US and more than 30 other countries and regions. Apple	—
Colours	Midnight, Starlight, Blue, Purple, Orange Apple	—
Chip	Apple H2 in each ear cup Apple	H2 headphone chip H2 enables Voice Isolation, Siri Interactions with head gestures and Personalised Spatial Audio. Apple
Driver and amplifier	Apple-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 control	ANC, 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	Vent system for pressure equalisation; active noise cancellation only on the separately sold ANC model At launch Apple offered two distinct models: AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation. This model has an open design that does not seal the ear canal. Apple
Microphones	Nine microphones: eight for ANC, three for voice pickup (two shared) Apple	—
Sensors	Optical, position, case-detect and accelerometer in each cup; gyroscope in the left cup only Apple	—
Controls	Digital Crown (volume, play/pause, calls, Siri) and a listening mode button No separate power button is listed. Apple	Press the stem: once to play/pause or answer, twice to skip forward or end a call, three times to skip back, press and hold for Siri; “Siri” voice activation; nod or shake your head to answer calls Apple’s control list does not include volume adjustment on the stem. Apple
Bluetooth	5.3 The manufacturer does not state supported audio codecs. Apple	—
Wired audio	Lossless 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 input	Analogue sources via a USB-C to 3.5 mm audio cable The cable is not listed among the box contents. Apple	—
Battery life	Up 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 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	Charging case with USB‑C port; USB‑C cable sold separately Apple says the case is more than 10 percent smaller in volume than its predecessor. Charging with an Apple Watch charger or Qi-certified charger is specific to the ANC model. 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 says size and weight vary by configuration and manufacturing process. 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 lists this feature as not applicable to AirPods Max 2. Apple	—
Audio features	Adaptive 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 Translation	Beta; 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 requirement	iOS 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	—
Firmware	9A348 (latest version in Apple’s list); adds an Equalizer control Apple’s page gives no release date for this version. Apple	—
In the box	AirPods Max 2, Smart Case, USB-C charge cable, documentation Apple	—
Accessibility	Live Listen, Headphone levels, Headphone Accommodations Requires the latest iOS or iPadOS. Apple	Live Listen, headphone levels, Headphone Accommodations Apple
Type	—	Open-fit (no silicone tips) wireless earbuds; USB‑C charging case This is the basic AirPods 4 without active noise cancellation. The identical-looking “AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation” is a separate product. Apple
Audio technology	—	Custom high‑excursion Apple driver, custom high dynamic range amplifier; Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking; Adaptive EQ Adaptive EQ tunes the sound to the fit in the ear. Spatial Audio needs supported content; the personal profile is created with an iPhone that has a TrueDepth camera. Apple
Microphones and sensors	—	Dual beamforming microphones, inward‑facing microphone, optical in‑ear sensor, motion- and speech-detecting accelerometers, force sensor The speech-detecting accelerometer helps detect when you are speaking; the optical sensor resumes playback when the bud is put in. Apple
Durability	—	IP54 dust, sweat and water resistance (earbuds and case) According to Apple this is for non-water sports and exercise; resistance is not permanent and may decrease with wear. Do not charge when wet. Apple
Battery	—	Up to 5 hours listening per charge; up to 30 hours total with the case; 5 minutes in the case ≈ 1 hour listening Apple measured these figures at 50% volume with Spatial Audio off. Apple
Connectivity	—	Bluetooth 5.3 It works as a Bluetooth headset with Android and other devices, but Apple says functions may be limited. Full features require current iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS or tvOS. Apple
Size and weight	—	Earbud: 30.2 × 18.3 × 18.1 mm, 4.3 g; case: 46.2 × 50.1 × 21.2 mm, 32.3 g Apple