Even after dropping the brand new iPhone 17e, new iPad Air, and a few new M5-powered MacBooks (together with the brand-new MacBook Neo), Apple wasn’t accomplished with its product bulletins. The AirPods Max 2 got here out of nowhere on March 17, 2026, catching the tech world off guard.
Because the long-awaited successor of the 2020 AirPods Max, the 2026 AirPods Max had lots to show. And with improved ANC, sound high quality, assist for wired lossless audio, and Precision Discovering, I’d say the flagship Apple headphones lived as much as the expectations, for essentially the most half.
The shortcomings begin to present up when evaluating the AirPods Max 2 to the Sony WH-1000XM6, one of the vital well-liked, critically acclaimed, and versatile flagship headphones appropriate with each Android and iOS units. When you’re contemplating one of many two headphones, we’ve listed all the important thing specs, together with the first benefits every provides over the opposite, that will help you make an knowledgeable determination.
AirPods Max 2 vs. Sony WH-1000XM6: Worth and availability
Apple
Simon Cohen / Digital Developments
Priced at $549, the AirPods Max 2 shall be up for pre-orders beginning March 25, 2026. Deliveries will start in early April. They’re accessible in 5 colours: Midnight, Starlight, Blue, Orange, and Purple (my favourite).
The Sony WH-1000XM6 launched in Might 2025 at $449. Nevertheless, they’re at present accessible on the corporate’s official web site for $399.99, which makes them $150 cheaper than the AirPods Max 2, and way more accessible to patrons. You will get the headphones in 4 colours: Black, Platinum Silver, Midnight Blue, and Sand Pink.
AirPods Max 2 vs. Sony WH-1000XM6: Tech specs
SpecificationsApple AirPods Max 2 (2026)Sony WH-1000XM6 (2025)DesignKind factorOver-ear, circumauralOver-ear, circumauralWeight386.2 g (13.6 oz)254 g (9 oz)FoldableNoYesMaterialsAluminum ear cups, stainless-steel headband, mesh canopySynthetic leather-based, plastic/resin body, carbon fiber dome driverColorsMidnight, Starlight, Blue, Orange, PurpleBlack, Silver, Midnight BlueWater resistance––Case includedSmart Case (ultra-low-power mode)Laborious-shell magnetic carry caseAudioDriver size40 mm Apple-custom dynamic30 mm carbon fiber dome neodymiumLossless audio24-bit / 48 kHz through USB-C cable onlyHi-Res Audio wi-fi through LDAC (990 kbps)Spatial / Immersive audioPersonalized Spatial Audio with head monitoring (Dolby Atmos)360 Actuality Audio with head monitoring; 360 Upmix for CinemaEQVia the Apple Music app10-band graphic EQ + Recreation EQ (Sony Sound Join app)ProcessorProcessor / chipApple H2HD Noise Canceling Processor QN3 (7× quicker than QN1)Whole microphones912ANC & transparencyANC typeComputational ANC through H2; as much as 1.5× higher than gen 1Multi Noise Sensor Know-how through QN3; adaptive real-timeTransparency / ambientTransparency mode (H2-optimized DSP)Ambient Sound Mode + Auto Ambient SoundSpeak-to-Chat / ConversationConversation Consciousness (auto-lowers music)Converse-to-Chat (detects speech, enters ambient mode)ConnectivityBluetooth versionBluetooth 5.3Bluetooth 5.3Wireless codecsAAC (optimized)SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3LE Audio / LC3Not confirmedYes (LC3)Auracast—YesMultipointYes (Apple ecosystem seamless switching)Sure (2 units)Wired connectionUSB-C (lossless audio + ultra-low latency)USB-C (charging) + 3.5 mm headphone jackThread sensible homeYes—Precision discovering (UWB)Sure (U2 chip, directional Discover My)—BatteryBattery life (ANC on)As much as 20 hrsUp to 30 hrsFull cost timeNot specified~3.5 hrsGood optionsControlsDigital Crown (quantity/playback) + Listening Mode buttonTouch panel (swipe/faucet) + 2 bodily buttonsVoice assistantSiriGoogle Assistant, Alexa, SiriVoice isolation (calls)Sure (H2 computational audio)Sure (AI beamforming + noise discount)Reside TranslationYes (Apple Intelligence)—Digicam remoteYes (Digital Crown triggers iPhone/iPad digital camera)—Head trackingYes (Personalised Spatial Audio)Sure (360 Actuality Audio)Discover My / trackingApple Discover My (Precision Discovering w/ U2 chip)Sony Sound Join + Google Discover My SystemWorth and availabilityLaunch worth (USD)$549$449 (discounted to $400)Launch dateShips early April 2026May 2025
AirPods Max 2 provides smarter software program and deeper Apple integration
Apple
Like the unique AirPods Max, the second-generation headphones make an impression earlier than you even put them on. The all-aluminum ear cups and the stainless-steel and mesh cover headband outclass the plastic and resin frames on Sony’s flagship headphones. You additionally get the Digital Crown (borrowed from the Apple Watch) for exact quantity and playback management, one thing that I’d desire over a contact panel any day.
With 40 mm {custom} Apple drivers and a brand new high-dynamic-range amplifier, the AirPods Max 2 declare to supply cleaner, extra detailed sound, together with a wider, extra immersive soundstage. Though the supported codec (AAC) hasn’t improved, the flagship headphones present 24-bit/48 kHz lossless audio through a wired (USB-C) connection, interesting to audiophiles and common iPhone customers alike. And no, the XM6s don’t assist audio through USB-C.
Apple
On the core of the AirPods Max 2 is Apple’s H2 chip (which debuted with the AirPods Professional 2), which powers 1.5x higher ANC than the 2020 AirPods Max. It additionally powers the intelligent audio modes like Transparency, Adaptive Audio (a sensible mix of ANC and Transparency), Dialog Consciousness, and Loud Sound Discount. The record of AirPods Professional-inspired software program options additionally contains Personalised Quantity, Voice Isolation, Personalised Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos, and Digicam Distant.
One of the talked-about options of AirPods Professional 3 — Reside Translation — can be accessible on the AirPods Max 2. Whether or not it’s helpful or not is determined by the place you might be. You additionally get Logic Professional integration that permits studio-quality recording. Lastly, the built-in U2 chip allows Precision Discovering through Apple’s Discover My community while you’ve left the headphones in a cabinet or backpack and forgotten.
Apple
When you’re an iPhone person, there’s no pair of flagship headphones that may provide the premiumness, a complete characteristic set, and deep software program integration (together with computerized gadget switching) than the AirPods Max 2. Nevertheless, the worth — $549 — appears a bit too steep and would possibly push you to get the AirPods Professional 3 as a substitute.
Sony’s WH-1000XM6 are extra sensible, versatile, and last more
Simon Cohen / Digital Developments
Proper off the bat, the WH-1000XM6 fold flat (one thing that the AirPods Max 2 can’t do). Mixed with the hard-shell magnetic carry case, they’re, palms down, the extra travel-friendly headphones among the many two. The plastic construct certain doesn’t really feel as premium, however it ends in a considerably lighter physique (246 grams vs. 386 grams), making the headphones extra snug for prolonged film or binge periods.
And sure, the XM6s characteristic a 3.5 mm headphone jack, not like the AirPods. One other side the place the WH-1000XM6 beats the AirPods Max 2 for many customers is assist for LDAC for true Hello-Res wi-fi audio (as much as 990 kbps) and LC3 through Bluetooth LE Audio.
Simon Cohen / Digital Developments
The headphones characteristic 30 mm carbon fiber drivers, which, mixed with the DSEE Excessive upscaling, a full 10-band graphic equalizer (one thing I desire over audio presets), and 360 Actuality Audio, give considerably extra management over the sound than Apple’s restricted choices.
In our evaluate of the XM6s, we talked about that the headphones provide noticeably higher ANC than the XM5s (due to 12 microphones), however nonetheless stay behind the Bose QuietComfort Extremely, which stays the benchmark to beat. Sony additionally provides options like Ambient Sound Mode (an underwhelming reply to the Transparency mode on AirPods), Auto NC Optimizer, Fast Consideration Mode, and Converse-to-Chat, that are acquainted however don’t fairly match the seamlessness and intuitiveness of the AirPods.
Simon Cohen / Digital Developments
Anyway, the WH-1000XM6 redeem themselves with their 30-hour (with ANC) battery life, which reigns superior to the AirPods Max’s 20-hour runtime. When you’re working brief on time, three minutes of charging offers you three hours of playback on Sony’s newest headphones.
Lastly, it’s the XM6’s compatibility with a number of working methods (Android, Home windows, iOS, macOS) and their assist for numerous voice assistants (Google Assistant, Alexa, Siri) that make them essentially the most versatile headphones in 2026. AirPods Max 2 certain are higher for Apple customers, however for everybody else, the WH-1000XM6 are the higher, extra sensible pair of headphones that price $100 much less (retail worth: $449).
Consider: the XM6s don’t assist LDAC and LE Audio / LC3 when paired with iOS or macOS units. Go along with the AirPods Max 2 for those who personal an iPhone, or the Sony WH-1000XM6 for those who personal every other smartphone, and also you gained’t remorse your determination.
