Only the differences are shown. 17 specs stay the same.
+0you gain
−4you give up
AirPods Max (Lightning) came out in December 2020. AirPods (2nd generation) came out in March 2019, almost 2 years earlier.
Note on AirPods Max (Lightning): One H1 chip in each ear cup. Apple gives the 20-hour listening time with Active Noise Cancellation or Transparency mode on; it publishes no figure with noise control off. Apple brought lossless audio over USB-C only to the USB-C model.
Note on AirPods (2nd generation): Wireless charging only with the Wireless Charging Case option ($199). Apple's tech specs give no sweat or water resistance rating and no lossless audio for this model. Apple gives battery life with the case as "more than 24 hours".
Noise control
− Noise Cancellation
no Transparency
Audio
− Spatial Audio
no Head tracking
Battery & charging
−15 hours
20 h → 5 h listening time, measured differently
Price check
AirPods (2nd generation) launched at $159
Not currently sold refurbished by Back Market or Apple.
All 9 differences
Price1 change
Price check
AirPods (2nd generation) — launched at $159
- Used on eBay
- Back Market does not currently list this model
- Apple does not currently sell this model refurbished
What your AirPods Max (Lightning) sells for
- Apple Trade In and recycling
Apple recycles devices that are not eligible for trade-in credit, for free.
- Sold listings on eBay
eBay may ask you to sign in to see sold prices.
Links open in a new tab. Prices are set by each seller and change daily.
Launch price (US)
$549›$159−$390
What does this mean?
The price Apple charged in the US on launch day, before tax.
This is not what it costs today. Older models drop in price over time, so check the used and refurbished links for current prices.
Noise control2 losses
Active Noise Cancellation
LoseWhat does this mean?
Active Noise Cancellation blocks out noise around you: microphones pick up outside sound, and the AirPods play an equal "anti-noise" sound to cancel it.
Noise like airplane engines and city traffic gets quieter. How much noise is removed differs by model: Apple says AirPods Pro 3 have up to 3 times the noise cancellation of AirPods 5.
Matters most if: You fly, commute by train or bus, or work in a noisy place.
Transparency mode
LoseWhat does this mean?
Transparency mode lets you hear the sounds around you while you wear your AirPods and listen.
Hear what is going on around you without taking your AirPods out. To switch between Transparency and noise cancellation, press and hold the stem until you hear a chime (on AirPods Max, press the listening mode button).
Adaptive Audio
No (same on both)
What does this mean?
An extra listening mode that mixes noise cancellation and Transparency, and changes the mix by itself as the noise around you changes.
Apple suggests it for places where sound levels change, like city traffic or a commute. A slider on iPhone, iPad or Mac lets you set it to let in more sound or block more noise.
Matters most if: You move between quiet and loud places during the day and do not want to keep switching modes.
Conversation Awareness
No (same on both)
What does this mean?
When you start speaking to someone, your AirPods turn down what you are playing and bring forward the voices in front of you.
Music stays at a low volume while you talk, and a podcast pauses after a few seconds. When the conversation ends, the volume goes back to where it was.
Loud Sound Reduction
No (same on both)
What does this mean?
Turns down harsh, loud noise around you when you use Transparency or Adaptive Audio.
It works automatically. On AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Pro 3, turning it off also turns off Hearing Protection.
Audio2 losses
Personalized Spatial Audio
LoseWhat does this mean?
Spatial Audio makes sound seem to come from all around you, like in a movie theater. "Personalized" means you use the TrueDepth camera on your iPhone to capture the shape of your ears and head, so the sound is tuned to you.
It works only with supported movies, shows, music and games. Setup needs an iPhone with the TrueDepth camera and iOS 16 or later. Apple says the camera data is processed on the iPhone and the images are not stored.
Matters most if: You watch a lot of movies and shows with AirPods.
Dynamic head tracking
LoseWhat does this mean?
Motion sensors follow how you move your head. With Spatial Audio on, the sound stays anchored to your device, so it seems to come from your iPhone or iPad even when you turn your head.
When you watch a movie on an iPad and look away, the sound stays with the screen. You can turn it off for each app in Control Center.
Lossless audio
None (same on both)
What does this mean?
Apple says lossless audio keeps every detail of the original recording. Apple gives the format as 24-bit, 48 kHz on AirPods Max with USB-C: 48 kHz (kilohertz) means the sound is measured 48,000 times per second.
On AirPods Max it works only over a wired USB-C connection, with lossless content such as lossless songs on Apple Music. Apple lists lossless audio for AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) only when used with Apple Vision Pro.
Matters most if: You make or mix music, or listen at a desk with a cable.
Head gestures
No (same on both)
What does this mean?
Nod for yes or shake your head for no when Siri announces a call, a message or a notification.
Answer or decline a call, or reply to or dismiss a notification, without speaking or using your hands. Announce Calls and Announce Notifications must be on.
Battery & charging1 change · 2 not applicable
Listening time
20 hours›5 hours
Apple gives AirPods Max (Lightning)'s time with Active Noise Cancellation on; AirPods (2nd generation) has no noise cancellation, so the two were not measured the same way. See the notes for Apple's figures with noise control off.
What does this mean?
The longest time the AirPods play audio on one full charge, from Apple's own tests. For models with Active Noise Cancellation, the figure is with it turned on.
Real battery life depends on your settings and use. Turning noise control off can add time; the notes under each model give Apple's figure with it off where Apple publishes one.
Matters most if: You take long flights or listen for hours at work.
Listening time with the case
Not applicable›24 hours
Apple gives AirPods Max (Lightning)'s time with Active Noise Cancellation on; AirPods (2nd generation) has no noise cancellation, so the two were not measured the same way. See the notes for Apple's figures with noise control off.
What does this mean?
Total listening time, from Apple's own tests, when you keep recharging the AirPods in their case until both are empty.
Put the AirPods back in the case when you are not using them, and they charge on the go.
Wireless case charging
Not applicable›Qi
What does this mean?
Whether you can charge the case by setting it on a charging pad. Qi is an open wireless charging standard; MagSafe cases also work on Qi chargers and line up with magnets on a MagSafe charger. Some cases also charge on an Apple Watch charger.
"None" means you charge the case with a cable only. AirPods Max charge only with a cable.
Matters most if: You already have a wireless charging pad, a MagSafe charger or an Apple Watch charger.
Charging port
Lightning (same on both)
What does this mean?
The port for charging with a cable: Lightning on older models, USB-C on newer ones. On AirPods Max, the port is on the headphones.
With USB-C, the case uses the same kind of cable as an iPhone 15 or later. Apple lists the USB-C cable as sold separately for some models, such as AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 3.
Durability1 change
Weight
384.8 g›4 g
What does this mean?
The weight of one AirPod in grams (g); 28 grams is about 1 ounce. For AirPods Max, it is the whole headphones. The case is not included.
Earbuds weigh from 4 grams to 5.55 grams each, so models differ by less than 2 grams. Apple says AirPods Max's knit mesh canopy spreads the weight to reduce pressure on your head.
Sweat and water resistance
None listed by Apple (same on both)
What does this mean?
An IP rating is a standard test result (IEC standard 60529) for how well something keeps out dust and water. Apple calls IPX4 AirPods sweat and water resistant, and IP54 and IP57 AirPods dust, sweat and water resistant.
Rated AirPods are for non-water sports and exercise: Apple says not to swim or shower with AirPods. Resistance wears down over time and cannot be restored. If AirPods get wet, Apple says to let them dry for at least two hours before using or charging them.
Matters most if: You sweat a lot during workouts or run in the rain.
Ear tip sizes
None (same on both)
What does this mean?
AirPods Pro come with silicone ear tips in several sizes, so you can pick the one that seals your ear canal. Standard AirPods have no ear tips.
A good seal gives stronger noise cancellation and fuller bass. A test on iPhone or iPad checks the fit, and you may need a different size in each ear. Ear tips only fit the model they came with.
Matters most if: Earbuds tend to feel loose or fall out for you.
What's new
RSS feedAdded Apple Watch and AirPods
Apple Watch and AirPods models checked against Apple's tech specs pages, with comparisons that show only what changes, a page for each model, and their model numbers in Find my model. Apple Watch pages say which iPhone each watch works with; AirPods pages say what the hearing and translation features need. Older models appear on the timeline.
Added information for owners and used buyers
Spec pages now show each model's last security update from Apple's list, any current Apple service program, and for iPhone, the SIM type by country, hearing aid compatibility and Apple's battery lifespan figure. A new page lists ten checks from Apple's support pages before you buy a used iPhone or iPad. The site never asks for a serial number or IMEI.
Added Mac mini, iMac, Mac Studio and Mac Pro
33 desktop Macs from 2017 onward, checked against Apple's tech specs pages, in one Mac section with the laptops, so you can compare a Mac mini with a MacBook Air. Specs a model does not have, such as a screen on Mac mini, show as Not applicable.