Even after releasing the new iPhone 17e, the new iPad Air, and a few new M5-powered MacBooks (including the all-new MacBook Neo), Apple wasn’t done with its product announcements. The AirPods Max 2 came out of nowhere on March 17, 2026 and surprised the tech world.
As the long-awaited successor to the 2020 AirPods Max, the 2026 AirPods Max had a lot to prove. And with improved ANC, sound quality, support for wired lossless audio, and precision finding, I’d say Apple’s flagship headphones have mostly lived up to expectations.
The shortcomings become clear when you compare the AirPods Max 2 to the Sony WH-1000XM6, one of the most popular, critically acclaimed and versatile flagship headphones that is compatible with both Android and iOS devices. If you’re considering either pair of headphones, we’ve listed all the key specs as well as the key benefits each offers over the other to help you make an informed decision.
AirPods Max 2 vs. Sony WH-1000XM6: Price and availability
The AirPods Max 2 will cost $549 and will be available for pre-order starting March 25, 2026. Delivery begins at the beginning of April. They come in five colors: Midnight, Starlight, Blue, Orange and Purple (my favorite).
The Sony WH-1000XM6 was released in May 2025 for $449. However, they are currently available on the company’s official website for $399.99, making them $150 cheaper than the AirPods Max 2 and much more accessible to buyers. You can get the headphones in four colors: black, platinum silver, midnight blue and sandy pink.
AirPods Max 2 vs. Sony WH-1000XM6: Specifications
| Specifications | Apple AirPods Max 2 (2026) | Sony WH-1000XM6 (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| design | ||
| Form factor | Over-ear, circumaural | Over-ear, circumaural |
| Weight | 386.2g (13.6oz) | 254g (9oz) |
| Foldable | NO | Yes |
| Materials | Aluminum ear cups, stainless steel headband, mesh canopy | Artificial leather, plastic/resin frame, carbon fiber dome driver |
| Colors | Midnight, starlight, blue, orange, purple | Black, silver, midnight blue |
| Water resistance | – | – |
| Suitcase included | Smart Case (ultra-low power mode) | Magnetic hard shell carry case |
| Audio | ||
| Driver size | 40mm Apple-specific dynamics | 30mm neodymium carbon fiber dome |
| Lossless audio | 24-bit / 48 kHz via USB-C cable only | Hi-Res Audio wirelessly via LDAC (990 kbps) |
| Spatial/immersive audio | Personalized spatial audio with head tracking (Dolby Atmos) | 360 Reality Audio with head tracking; 360 upmix for cinema |
| EQ | Via the Apple Music app | 10-band Graphic EQ + Game EQ (Sony Sound Connect app) |
| processor | ||
| Processor/chip | Apple H2 | HD noise-cancelling processor QN3 (7x faster than QN1) |
| Total number of microphones | 9 | 12 |
| ANC & Transparency | ||
| ANC type | Computerized ANC via H2; up to 1.5 times better than Gen 1 | Multi-noise sensor technology via QN3; adaptive real time |
| Transparency/Environment | Transparency mode (H2 optimized DSP) | Ambient Sound Mode + Automatic Ambient Sound Mode |
| Speak-to-chat / conversation | Conversation awareness (automatic lowering of music) | Speak-to-Chat (recognizes speech, switches to ambient mode) |
| Connectivity | ||
| Bluetooth version | Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Wireless codecs | AAC (optimized) | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 |
| LE Audio / LC3 | Not confirmed | Yes (LC3) |
| Auracast | — | Yes |
| Multipoint | Yes (seamless Apple ecosystem transition) | Yes (2 devices) |
| Wired connection | USB-C (lossless audio + ultra-low latency) | USB-C (charging) + 3.5mm headphone jack |
| Thread Smart Home | Yes | — |
| Precision Finding (UWB) | Yes (U2 chip, directional Find My) | — |
| battery | ||
| Battery life (ANC switched on) | Up to 20 hours | Up to 30 hours |
| Full loading time | Not specified | ~3.5 hours |
| Smart features | ||
| Controls | Digital Crown (Volume/Playback) + Listening Mode Button | Touch panel (swipe/tap) + 2 physical buttons |
| Voice assistant | Siri | Google Assistant, Alexa, Siri |
| Voice isolation (calls) | Yes (H2 computer audio) | Yes (AI beamforming + noise reduction) |
| Live translation | Yes (Apple Intelligence) | — |
| Camera remote control | Yes (Digital Crown triggers iPhone/iPad camera) | — |
| Head tracking | Yes (personalized spatial audio) | Yes (360 Reality Audio) |
| Find My / Tracking | Apple Find My (precision search with U2 chip) | Sony Sound Connect + Google Find My Device |
| Price and availability | ||
| Introductory price (USD) | $549 | $449 (reduced to $400) |
| Release date | Shipping beginning of April 2026 | May 2025 |
AirPods Max 2 offers smarter software and deeper Apple integration
Like the original AirPods Max, the second-generation headphones make an impression before you even put them on. The all-aluminum ear cups and stainless steel and mesh headband surpass the plastic and resin frames of Sony’s flagship headphones. You also get the Digital Crown (borrowed from the Apple Watch) for precise volume and playback controls, something I would choose over a touch panel any day.
With custom 40mm Apple drivers and a new high dynamic range amplifier, the AirPods Max 2 reportedly offer clearer, more detailed sound as well as a wider, more immersive soundstage. Although the supported codec (AAC) has not improved, the flagship headphones offer lossless 24-bit/48 kHz audio over a wired connection (USB-C), which appeals to both audiophiles and regular iPhone users. And no, the XM6s don’t support audio over USB-C.
At the heart of the AirPods Max 2 is Apple’s H2 chip (first introduced with the AirPods Pro 2), which offers 1.5x better ANC than the 2020 AirPods Max. It also supports the clever audio modes like Transparency, Adaptive Audio (a smart mix of ANC and Transparency), Conversation Awareness and Loud Sound Reduction. The list of AirPods Pro-inspired software features also includes personalized volume, voice isolation, personalized spatial audio with Dolby Atmos, and camera remote control.
One of the most talked about features of the AirPods Pro 3 – Live Translation – is also available on the AirPods Max 2. Whether it’s useful or not depends on where you are. You also get Logic Pro integration that enables studio-quality recording. Finally, the integrated U2 chip enables precise search via Apple’s Find My network if you have left the headphones in the closet or backpack and forgotten them.
If you’re an iPhone user, there’s no flagship headphone that’s as high-quality, feature-rich, and offers extensive software integration (including automatic device switching) as the AirPods Max 2. However, the price – $549 – seems a bit too high and might tempt you to buy the AirPods Pro 3 instead.
Sony’s WH-1000XM6 are more practical, more versatile and last longer
The WH-1000XM6 folds flat straight away (something the AirPods Max 2 can’t do). Combined with the hard-shell magnetic carrying case, they are undoubtedly the more travel-friendly headphones of the two. While the plastic construction doesn’t feel as premium, it does result in a significantly lighter body (246 grams versus 386 grams), making the headphones more comfortable for longer movie or binge sessions.
And yes, the XM6s have a 3.5mm headphone jack unlike the AirPods. Another aspect where the WH-1000XM6 outperforms the AirPods Max 2 for most users is its support for LDAC for true wireless Hi-Res audio (up to 990 kbps) and LC3 over Bluetooth LE Audio.
The headphones feature 30mm carbon fiber drivers, which, combined with DSEE Extreme upscaling, a full 10-band graphic equalizer (which I prefer over audio presets), and 360 Reality Audio, offer significantly more control over the sound than Apple’s limited options.
In our review of the XM6s, we mentioned that the headphones offer significantly better ANC than the Sony also offers features like Ambient Sound Mode (a disappointing answer to the AirPods’ Transparency Mode), Auto NC Optimizer, Quick Attention Mode, and Speak-to-Chat, which, while familiar, don’t quite match the seamlessness and intuitiveness of the AirPods.
Be that as it may, the WH-1000XM6 impress with their 30-hour battery life (with ANC), which is significantly superior to the 20-hour runtime of the AirPods Max. If you’re pressed for time, you can enjoy three hours of playback time on Sony’s latest headphones with just three minutes of charging.
Finally, it is the XM6’s compatibility with multiple operating systems (Android, Windows, iOS, macOS) and support for various voice assistants (Google Assistant, Alexa, Siri) that make it the most versatile headphones in 2026. AirPods Max 2 are certainly better for Apple users, but for everyone else, the WH-1000XM6 are the better, more practical headphones that cost $100 less (retail price: $449).
Note: The XM6s do not support LDAC and LE Audio / LC3 when paired with iOS or macOS devices. Choose the AirPods Max 2 if you own an iPhone or the Sony WH-1000XM6 if you own another smartphone and you won’t regret your decision.
