Apple finally debuts long-rumoured AirPods Max noise-canceling headphones

Apple's one last product launch for 2020 is the long-rumoured AirPods Max. It is the company's first over-the-ear headphones that are available for pre-order starting today for $779. You can order from apple.com or in the Apple Store app. The AirPods Max will start shipping on Tuesday, December 15.

These premium noise-cancelling headphones will be available in five shades: space grey, silver, sky blue, green, and pink. They feature what Apple calls a "custom acoustic design" with a 40mm driver system that you can expect to provide "rich, deep bass, accurate mid-ranges, and crisp, clean high-frequency extension so every note can be heard." 

If you're familiar with the AirPods line, you'll know some of the features the AirPods Max has, like adaptive EQ, transparency mode, spatial audio, and audio sharing. And yes, it promises automatic pairing, too. It also takes inspiration from the Apple Watch by adding a Digital Crown, which Apple claims "offers precise volume control and the ability to play or pause audio, skip tracks, answer or end phone calls, and activate Siri." If you want to toggle between noise-cancelling and transparency modes, you'll have to toggle the separate "noise control button.

Its noise cancellation system is similar to what other headphone makers do. It produces anti-noise to silence external sound with the help of six outward-facing mics, while two inward-facing microphones measure what you hear so it can cancel out any other distraction. With beamforming mics, you're promised excellent audio quality on voice calls, even if you're in a windy area.

The AirPods Max comes with a breathable knit mesh canopy, which the company promises is meant to "distribute weight and reduce on-head pressure." They have a stainless steel frame and telescoping headband arms, so you can adjust these headphones to fit you perfectly. 

According to Apple, "Each ear cup attaches to the headband through a revolutionary mechanism that balances and distributes ear cup pressure, and allows it to independently pivot and rotate to fit the unique contours of a user's head." It does come with "acoustically engineered" memory foam that creates a good seal and perhaps give you the extra comfort you'll need.

Apple AirPods Max's smart case

If you want wired listening, Apple sells a $45 Lightning to 3.5mm cable separately. And yes, you'll charge these headphones via the Lightning connector.

Apple claims 20-hour battery life for the AirPods Max. A five-minute charge can get you around 90 minutes of playback time. And if you want to preserve the battery, you can place it in what Apple calls a smart case that automatically switches the headphones in a low-power state.