Apple AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C): AirPods Pro 2 with MagSafe Charging Case (USB-C); 2023 version. The 2022 Lightning-case version has the same earbuds but a different case; AirPods Pro 3 is a separate model.
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 | Apple AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) | Apple AirPods Max (Lightning, 2020) |
|---|---|---|
| Release year | 2023 | 2020 |
| Chip | Apple H2 in the earbuds; Apple U1 in the case Apple | Apple H1 headphone chip in each ear cup Apple |
| Sound and noise control | Custom high-excursion Apple driver and amplifier; Active Noise Cancellation; Adaptive Audio; Transparency mode; Conversation Awareness; Voice Isolation Apple | — |
| Spatial audio and EQ | Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking; Adaptive EQ; vent system for pressure equalisation Apple | — |
| Hearing health | Hearing Test; Loud Sound Reduction Apple | — |
| Microphones and sensors | Dual beamforming microphones and an inward-facing microphone; skin-detect sensor; motion- and speech-detecting accelerometers; touch control Apple | — |
| Controls | Press once: play/pause, calls; twice: skip forward; three times: skip back; press and hold: switch modes; swipe: volume Apple | Digital Crown (volume, play/pause, calls, track skip, Siri) and noise control button Apple |
| Battery life | Up to 6 hours per charge with ANC (5.5 hours with Spatial Audio); up to 30 hours total with the case; about 1 hour from 5 minutes of charging Apple | — |
| Case charging | MagSafe charger, Apple Watch charger, Qi-certified chargers or USB-C Apple | — |
| Durability | Earbuds and case rated IP54 for dust, sweat and water Apple | — |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.3 Apple | Bluetooth 5.0 Apple |
| Size and weight | Earbud 30.9 × 21.8 × 24.0 mm, 5.3 g; case 45.2 × 60.6 × 21.7 mm, 50.8 g Apple | 187.3 × 168.6 × 83.4 mm; 384.8 g with cushions; Smart Case 134.5 g Apple |
| Ear tips | Silicone; XS, S, M, L Apple | — |
| Audio technology | — | Apple-designed dynamic driver; Active Noise Cancellation; Transparency mode; Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking; Adaptive EQ Apple |
| Microphones | — | Nine microphones in total: eight for noise cancellation; three for voice pickup (two shared with noise cancellation) Apple |
| Sensors | — | Optical, position and case-detect sensors plus an accelerometer in each cup; gyroscope in the left cup Apple |
| Battery | — | 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 |
| Charging and case | — | Charging via Lightning; the battery enters an ultra-low-power state in the Smart Case Apple |
| Compatibility | — | Apple devices running the latest iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, macOS or tvOS Apple |