Apple AirPods Max 2: A3454 · USB-C
Google Pixel Buds 2a: Pixel Buds 2a in-ear earbuds with a USB-C charging case; the Fog, Berry, Iris and Hazel colours share the same hardware. The Pixel Buds A-Series and Pixel Buds Pro 2 are separate models.
| Specification | Apple AirPods Max 2 | Google Pixel Buds 2a |
|---|---|---|
| Release year | 2026 | 2025 |
| Model | A3454 Apple | — |
| Announcement and availability | Announced 16 March 2026; orders from 25 March; deliveries from early April Apple | — |
| Colours | Midnight, Starlight, Blue, Purple, Orange Apple | Fog, Berry, Iris, Hazel Google |
| Chip | Apple H2 in each ear cup Apple | — |
| Driver and amplifier | Apple-designed dynamic driver; custom high-dynamic-range amplifier; dual neodymium ring magnet motor Apple | — |
| Noise control | ANC, Transparency mode and Adaptive Audio; up to 1.5x more effective than the previous generation 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 | Capacitive touch controls; IR proximity sensor for in-ear detection; Hall sensor in the case Google |
| Controls | Digital Crown (volume, play/pause, calls, Siri) and a listening mode button Apple | — |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 Apple | — |
| Wired audio | Lossless and ultra-low-latency audio over USB-C; 24-bit / 48 kHz Apple | — |
| Analogue input | Analogue sources via a USB-C to 3.5 mm audio cable Apple | — |
| Battery life | Up to 20 hours of listening with ANC on 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 | — |
| Dimensions | 168.6 × 83.4 × 187.3 mm (width × depth × height), including cushions Apple | — |
| Weight | 386.2 g; Smart Case 134.5 g 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 | — |
| Audio features | Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness, Voice Isolation, Personalized Volume, Loud Sound Reduction, Adaptive EQ; Personalized Spatial Audio with head tracking Apple | — |
| Live Translation | Beta; needs an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone on iOS 26 or later Apple | — |
| Software requirement | iOS and iPadOS 26.4 or later; current operating system on Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV and Apple Vision Pro Apple | — |
| Firmware | 9A348 (latest version in Apple’s list); adds an Equalizer control Apple | — |
| In the box | AirPods Max 2, Smart Case, USB-C charge cable, documentation Apple | — |
| Accessibility | Live Listen, Headphone levels, Headphone Accommodations Apple | — |
| Type | — | In-ear true wireless; wing-tip stabiliser, four ear-tip sizes (XS, S, M, L) Google |
| Processor | — | Google Tensor A1 in each earbud Google |
| Driver | — | 11 mm dynamic driver Google |
| Noise cancelling | — | Active noise cancellation (Silent Seal 1.5); transparency mode; active in-ear pressure relief Google |
| Connectivity | — | Bluetooth 5.4; pairs with Bluetooth 4.0+ devices Google |
| Calls | — | Two microphones per earbud; Bluetooth super wideband; Clear Calling; wind-blocking mesh Google |
| Battery | — | ANC on: 7 hours (20 hours with case); ANC off: 10 hours (27 hours with case); 5 minutes of charging gives 1 hour Google |
| Charging case | — | USB-C charging; no wireless charging listed Google |
| Durability | — | Earbuds IP54, case IPX4 Google |
| Size and weight | — | Earbud 23.1 × 16.0 × 17.8 mm, 4.7 g; case 50.0 × 24.5 × 57.2 mm, 47.6 g with earbuds Google |
| Updates | — | Automatic security updates for at least three years from first availability on the US Google Store Google |