The AirPods Max have been surrounded by rumors for months, and they're finally here. Apple announced that the sleek over-ear headphones are now available for preorder.
Apple AirPods Max: Notable Specs and Features
The AirPods Max are wireless, noise-canceling headphones that offer 20 hours of battery life. You can also take advantage of a five-minute quick charge feature that gives you up to 90 minutes of listening time.
With Apple-designed 40mm drivers, these headphones promise exceptional audio with minimal distortion, as well as high-quality sound across all types of audio. It also comes with the H1 chip and uses computational audio to create a listening experience that adapts to the fit of your headphones.
As for the noise-cancellation feature, you can expect top-notch technology. The AirPods Max has six outward-facing microphones that catch the noise around you, as well as two inward-facing microphones that detect what you hear. This lets the headphones filter out environmental noise before you can even hear it.
In case you actually want to listen to the sounds around you, you can turn on Transparency Mode. This feature is already present in the AirPods Pro. It allows you to turn off noise-cancellation with the touch of a button, all while listening comfortably to your audio.
And if you want to take off your AirPods Max for a quick conversation, you can do so without worrying about missing out on your audio. The headphones' on-head detection feature can identify when you've removed them. In turn, the AirPods Max will pause your music until you put your headphones back on.
The AirPods Max also have an Apple Watch-esque Digital Crown on the side of the headphones. This feature lets you easily toggle volume, switch tracks, pause/play audio, answer phone calls, as well as activate Siri.
As for the actual look of the AirPods Max, these headphones come in five colors: space gray, silver, green, sky blue, and pink. They're crafted with memory foam ear cushions and a comfortable knit mesh canopy headband.
The AirPods Max also come with something called a Smart Case, pictured below.
Although this case might look a bit odd, it's actually more than just a "stylish" accessory. Upon inserting your AirPods Max into the Smart Case, your headphones will automatically go into low-power mode.
AirPods Max: Price and Availability
The AirPods Max won't be officially shipped out until December 15, 2020, but they're available for preorder on Apple's website right now.
They sit at a hefty price tag of $549, but it might be worth it if you've been looking for a high-quality pair of over-ear headphones that seamlessly syncs across all of your Apple devices.