HEADPHONES · YOUR NEXT FACE-OFF

Apple AirPods Max 2 vs OnePlus Buds 4

Real specs. Clear sources.Exact models · UK & US buying links

Compared products

YOUR FIRST CHOICE

Apple AirPods Max 2

Midnight

Full product profile Official image

Exact model & source notes

AirPods Max 2 in Midnight (UK part MHWK4ZM/A, US part MHWK4AM/A) are Apple's over-ear noise-cancelling headphones, with an H2 chip in each ear cup and nine microphones. Apple lists Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking and Adaptive EQ among their audio features. They connect over Bluetooth 5.3, and a wired USB-C connection adds Lossless and ultra-low-latency audio. Apple rates them at up to 20 hours with noise cancellation on.

Specifications checked 26 Sept 2026.

Amazon links open search results. Check the exact variant, current price and availability with the retailer.

Manufacturer specifications

WHAT DIFFERS

6 verified differences, led by Wired / wireless connections, battery life and driver construction. Compared in full below. Not a rating.

See the 6 verified differences

THE CONTENDER

OnePlus Buds 4

5481158909 · Storm Gray · UK

Full product profile Official image

Exact model & source notes

OnePlus Buds 4 are true wireless earbuds with real-time adaptive ANC, a dual-driver design (11 mm woofer plus 6 mm tweeter) and Bluetooth 5.4 with LHDC 5.0, AAC and SBC, plus Steady Connect for extended range on select OnePlus phones. This record is the Storm Gray colour (UK SKU 5481158909); OnePlus rates it at 6 hours with ANC on and 24 hours with the case using AAC.

Specifications checked 26 Sept 2026.

Amazon links open search results. Check the exact variant, current price and availability with the retailer.

Manufacturer specifications

Apple AirPods Max 2 UK & US retailers

UK & US price history: no verified listing yet

OnePlus Buds 4 UK & US retailers

UK & US price history: no verified listing yet

Search links open retailer results, not a matched listing; eBay listings are checked daily. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.

THE DIFFERENCES, MADE VISIBLE

Visual facts

Differences first. Select a topic for its graphic, sources and conditions.

How to read this comparison

Manufacturer facts for the exact models shown. Not a quality rating or a test result.
“Different” means the known values differ, not that one is better.
Missing or conflicting evidence is marked and never counts as a difference. Source chips hold each fact’s sources and conditions.

FEATURES SIDE BY SIDE4 topics

Yes and No describe the listed feature. Missing evidence stays unverified.

SELECTED TOPIC

01 / 04

Detachable cable

A detachable cable unplugs at the headphones. A fixed cable does not. Always check the model-specific connector before buying a replacement.

Apple AirPods Max 2Not verified

Bluetooth 5.3; USB-C for charging and wired Lossless / ultra-low-latency audio. Manufacturer specification · No analogue input is listed on the specifications page; only the USB-C charge cable is in the box.

Source 1

OnePlus Buds 4Not verified

Bluetooth 5.4 with Steady Connect; LHDC 5.0, AAC and SBC codecs; dual-device connection. Manufacturer specification · Google Fast Pair is listed without an exact supported-phone range on these Buds 4 pages. Steady Connect is restricted to select OnePlus phones with OxygenOS 15.0.0 or later. The declared Bluetooth range is 10 m; actual conditions and interference vary. Case charging is separate and does not establish cable audio.

Source 1 Source 2

Choose your must-haves

Start with your listening environment. Open and closed earcups suit different surroundings. A closed back is not the same as active noise cancellation. Check the exact cable and headphone output. We do not turn impedance, driver size or unpaired lab results into a sound-quality score.

WHAT CHANGES BETWEEN THEM?

Key differences

Full specifications ↓

6 verified differences, most decision-relevant first. Missing information stays separate.

Wired / wireless connections

Apple AirPods Max 2Bluetooth 5.3; USB-C for charging and wired Lossless / ultra-low-latency audio

OnePlus Buds 4Bluetooth 5.4 with Steady Connect; LHDC 5.0, AAC and SBC codecs; dual-device connection

Sources

Apple AirPods Max 2

Manufacturer specification · No analogue input is listed on the specifications page; only the USB-C charge cable is in the box.

Apple AirPods Max 2 — official UK technical specifications

OnePlus Buds 4

Manufacturer specification · Google Fast Pair is listed without an exact supported-phone range on these Buds 4 pages. Steady Connect is restricted to select OnePlus phones with OxygenOS 15.0.0 or later. The declared Bluetooth range is 10 m; actual conditions and interference vary. Case charging is separate and does not establish cable audio.

OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 overview

Check the exact configuration and source conditions for your use.

Battery life

Apple AirPods Max 2Up to 20 hours of listening on a single charge with Active Noise Cancellation on; 5 minutes of charging gives around 1.5 hours

OnePlus Buds 4Earbuds: 6 hours with ANC on, 11 hours with ANC off (AAC). With the case: 24 hours with ANC on, 45 hours with ANC off (AAC). Using LHDC: 5.5 / 22 hours with ANC on and 9 / 37 hours with ANC off.

Sources

Apple AirPods Max 2

Manufacturer specification · Each figure has its own Apple test: the 20-hour figure is from testing in January and February 2026 with pre-production AirPods Max 2 paired with production iPhone 17 Pro Max units; the 5-minute charge figure is from testing in March 2026 with pre-production AirPods Max 2 paired with production iPhone 15 Pro Max units. Both used pre-release software, volume at 50%, Active Noise Cancellation enabled and Spatial Audio set to fixed. Battery life depends on device settings, environment, usage and many other factors.

Apple AirPods Max 2 — official UK technical specifications

OnePlus Buds 4

Manufacturer specification · OnePlus test figures at 50% volume with the stated codec. Fast charge: 10 minutes gives 3.5 hours (earbuds) or 11 hours (earbuds + case) with ANC off, AAC.

OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs OnePlus (US) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs

Manufacturer claims for the stated mode and equipment. Read each test condition; this is not measured everyday battery life.

Driver construction

Apple AirPods Max 2Apple-designed dynamic driver with custom high-dynamic-range amplifier

OnePlus Buds 4Dual drivers: 11 mm woofer + 6 mm tweeter

Sources

Apple AirPods Max 2

Manufacturer specification · Apple does not publish the driver diameter on the specifications page.

Apple AirPods Max 2 — official UK technical specifications

OnePlus Buds 4

Manufacturer specification · Woofer: 30-layer ceramic-metal diaphragm; tweeter: flat diaphragm.

OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 overview

Check whether the diameter describes the complete transducer or only its diaphragm. Different labels and driver sizes do not establish better sound.

Wearing style

Apple AirPods Max 2Over-ear wireless headphones

OnePlus Buds 4In-ear, true wireless (ear tips in S, M and L)

Sources

Apple AirPods Max 2

Manufacturer specification · Apple does not describe the ear cups as open or closed-back on the pages read.

Apple Store UK — Buy AirPods Max 2 (colour part numbers)

OnePlus Buds 4

Manufacturer specification · Two earbuds (one pair) with a charging case; the box lists ear tips in S, M and L pairs, with M pre-installed. OnePlus does not state the ear tip material.

OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs

Check the exact configuration and source conditions for your use.

Spatial audio

Apple AirPods Max 2Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking

OnePlus Buds 4Spatial audio rendering

Sources

Apple AirPods Max 2

Manufacturer specification · Apple: compatible hardware and software required; works with compatible content in supported apps; not all content is available in Dolby Atmos.

Apple AirPods Max 2 — official UK technical specifications

OnePlus Buds 4

Manufacturer specification · Marketed as OnePlus 3D Audio. Set through Earbuds Function on OnePlus phones running Android 12 or later, or through HeyMelody for other iOS/Android 7 or later users. These pages do not explicitly establish head tracking.

OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 overview

Check the exact configuration and source conditions for your use.

Dimensions

Apple AirPods Max 2168.6 × 83.4 × 187.3 mm including cushions

OnePlus Buds 4Each earbud: 31 x 20.6 x 24.2 mm; charging case: 65.4 x 52.4 x 25.3 mm

Sources

Apple AirPods Max 2

Manufacturer specification

Apple AirPods Max 2 — official UK technical specifications

OnePlus Buds 4

Manufacturer specification

OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs OnePlus (US) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs

A size or weight trade-off; it does not establish the better product.

Missing or non-comparable evidence (31)

Listed driver impedances

Apple AirPods Max 2Not verified

OnePlus Buds 418 Ω ± 15%; 10 Ω ± 15%

Sources

Apple AirPods Max 2

No source recorded for this side.

OnePlus Buds 4

Manufacturer specification · The table gives two values but does not explicitly assign them to a named driver or a headphone input/load condition. Do not invent a woofer/tweeter assignment or amplifier compatibility result.

OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs

Evidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.

AI Translation

Apple AirPods Max 2Not verified

OnePlus Buds 4Yes

Sources

Apple AirPods Max 2

No source recorded for this side.

OnePlus Buds 4

Manufacturer specification · Three earbud taps activate AI Translation on the OnePlus phone; available on select OnePlus devices with OxygenOS 15.0.1 and above.

OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 overview

Evidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.

Companion app

Apple AirPods Max 2Not verified

OnePlus Buds 4Compatible with the HeyMelody app. Sound features: Sound Master EQ (Balanced, Serenade and Bass Mode presets, a customisable six-band EQ and BassWave); Golden Sound personal audio profile from an ear scan and listening test

Sources

Apple AirPods Max 2

No source recorded for this side.

OnePlus Buds 4

Manufacturer specification · Golden Sound (and OnePlus 3D Audio) is set in 'Earbuds Function' on OnePlus phones with Android 12 and above; other users (iOS / Android 7.0 and above) need the HeyMelody app. The specification page also lists OTA updates.

OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 overview

Evidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.

Listed audio technology

Apple AirPods Max 2Apple-designed dynamic driver; custom high dynamic range amplifier; Active Noise Cancellation; Adaptive Audio; Transparency mode; Conversation Awareness; Voice Isolation; Personalised Volume; Loud Sound Reduction; Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking; Adaptive EQ; studio-quality audio recording; Lossless Audio and ultra-low latency audio via USB-C; Live Translation

OnePlus Buds 4Not verified

Sources

Apple AirPods Max 2

Manufacturer specification · Apple's footnotes tie several of these features to compatible Apple devices running the latest software; Lossless and ultra-low latency audio need a wired USB-C connection and compatible content.

Apple AirPods Max 2 — official UK technical specifications

OnePlus Buds 4

No source recorded for this side.

Evidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.

Battery capacity

Apple AirPods Max 2Not verified

OnePlus Buds 4Earbuds 62 mAh; charging case 530 mAh

Sources

Apple AirPods Max 2

No source recorded for this side.

OnePlus Buds 4

Manufacturer specification

OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs OnePlus (US) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs

Evidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.

Playback with case, AAC, ANC on

Apple AirPods Max 2Not verified

OnePlus Buds 424 h

Sources

Apple AirPods Max 2

No source recorded for this side.

OnePlus Buds 4

Manufacturer specification · Music playback with the case, AAC, ANC on and 50% volume. OnePlus Test Laboratory claim; actual performance varies.

OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs

Evidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.

UK published case weight

Apple AirPods Max 2Not verified

OnePlus Buds 439.57 g

Sources

Apple AirPods Max 2

No source recorded for this side.

OnePlus Buds 4

Manufacturer specification · UK: 39.57 ± 1 g; US: 39.97 ± 1 g. The selected SKU is UK; the source discrepancy is unexplained. Do not average the figures, assert physical equivalence across regions or interpret case weight as the earbuds-and-case total.

OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs OnePlus (US) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs

Evidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.

Charge time

Apple AirPods Max 2Not verified

OnePlus Buds 4Earbuds about 50 minutes; earbuds + case about 80 minutes

Sources

Apple AirPods Max 2

No source recorded for this side.

OnePlus Buds 4

Manufacturer specification

OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs OnePlus (US) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs

Evidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.

Charging

Apple AirPods Max 2USB-C

OnePlus Buds 4Not verified

Sources

Apple AirPods Max 2

Manufacturer specification

Apple AirPods Max 2 — official UK technical specifications

OnePlus Buds 4

No source recorded for this side.

Evidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.

Case charging connector

Apple AirPods Max 2Not verified

OnePlus Buds 4USB Type-C

Sources

Apple AirPods Max 2

No source recorded for this side.

OnePlus Buds 4

Manufacturer specification · The source describes charging, not USB audio or data operation. Compatible charger power and a cable-audio mode are not established.

OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs

Evidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.

Chip

Apple AirPods Max 2Apple H2 headphone chip in each ear cup

OnePlus Buds 4Not verified

Sources

Apple AirPods Max 2

Manufacturer specification

Apple AirPods Max 2 — official UK technical specifications

OnePlus Buds 4

No source recorded for this side.

Evidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.

Bluetooth codecs

Apple AirPods Max 2Not verified

OnePlus Buds 4LHDC 5.0, AAC, SBC

Sources

Apple AirPods Max 2

No source recorded for this side.

OnePlus Buds 4

Manufacturer specification · LHDC 5.0 Hi-Res Audio up to 1 Mbps, 24 bit, 192 kHz. Hi-Res Audio is supported on Android devices with LHDC 5.0 (OnePlus phones with Android 12 and above via 'Earbuds Function'; other Android 7.0 and above via the HeyMelody app) and is not supported on iOS devices.

OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 overview

Evidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.

Earbud controls

Apple AirPods Max 2Not verified

OnePlus Buds 4Touch controls on the stem: slide up or down for volume; long touch and hold to switch between Noise Cancellation and Transparency modes; single tap to play or pause; double tap for the next song; triple tap for the previous song

Sources

Apple AirPods Max 2

No source recorded for this side.

OnePlus Buds 4

Manufacturer specification · Single tap must be manually activated in the phone Settings (OnePlus phones) or the HeyMelody app (other Android and iOS). OnePlus also lists a tap for the phone's built-in voice assistant (activated manually in the same way), Double-Tap for Camera Control and three taps for AI Translation on select OnePlus devices.

OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 overview

Evidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.

DAC

Apple AirPods Max 2Not verified

OnePlus Buds 4Dual DACs: a dedicated DAC for each driver (11 mm woofer and 6 mm tweeter)

Sources

Apple AirPods Max 2

No source recorded for this side.

OnePlus Buds 4

Manufacturer specification

OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 overview

Evidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.

Find My Earbuds

Apple AirPods Max 2Not verified

OnePlus Buds 4Yes

Sources

Apple AirPods Max 2

No source recorded for this side.

OnePlus Buds 4

Manufacturer specification · Listed by name only; OnePlus does not describe how it works on these pages.

OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 overview

Evidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.

Frequency response

Apple AirPods Max 2Not verified

OnePlus Buds 415 Hz to 40 kHz

Sources

Apple AirPods Max 2

No source recorded for this side.

OnePlus Buds 4

Manufacturer specification

OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs OnePlus (US) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs

Evidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.

Spatial audio head tracking

Apple AirPods Max 2Not verified

OnePlus Buds 4Not verified

Sources

Apple AirPods Max 2

No source recorded for this side.

OnePlus Buds 4

No explicit head-tracking presence or absence is established in the complete reviewed Buds4 pages. OnePlus3DAudio alone does not prove head tracking. · Manufacturer specification

OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 overview

Evidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.

In the box

Apple AirPods Max 2AirPods Max 2, Smart Case, USB-C charge cable, documentation

OnePlus Buds 4Not verified

Sources

Apple AirPods Max 2

Manufacturer specification

Apple AirPods Max 2 — official UK technical specifications

OnePlus Buds 4

No source recorded for this side.

Evidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.

Low-latency mode

Apple AirPods Max 2Not verified

OnePlus Buds 447 ms low latency

Sources

Apple AirPods Max 2

No source recorded for this side.

OnePlus Buds 4

Manufacturer specification · OnePlus Test Laboratory figure; enabled automatically on OnePlus phones, manual operation in the HeyMelody app on other brands.

OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 overview

Evidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.

Manufacturer microphone sensitivity

Apple AirPods Max 2Not verified

OnePlus Buds 4-38 ± 1 dB

Sources

Apple AirPods Max 2

No source recorded for this side.

OnePlus Buds 4

Manufacturer specification · Buds4 gives no dBV/Pa reference; Pro3 explicitly gives dBV/Pa. These different bases cannot establish a microphone-performance difference.

OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs

Evidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.

Multipoint (dual-device) connection

Apple AirPods Max 2Not verified

OnePlus Buds 4Yes

Sources

Apple AirPods Max 2

No source recorded for this side.

OnePlus Buds 4

Manufacturer specification

OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs

Evidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.

Platform compatibility

Apple AirPods Max 2Full feature set with current Apple devices; works as Bluetooth headphones with non-Apple devices with possibly limited functionality

OnePlus Buds 4Not verified

Sources

Apple AirPods Max 2

Manufacturer specification

Apple AirPods Max 2 — official UK technical specifications

OnePlus Buds 4

No source recorded for this side.

Evidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.

Manufacturer rated power

Apple AirPods Max 2Not verified

OnePlus Buds 410 mW

Sources

Apple AirPods Max 2

No source recorded for this side.

OnePlus Buds 4

Manufacturer specification · The Audio table does not explicitly assign this rating to an individual driver or define a continuous/peak basis. No power-handling or sound-quality ranking is established.

OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs

Evidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.

Manufacturer sensitivity and reference

Apple AirPods Max 2Not verified

OnePlus Buds 4118 ± 1.3 dB at 1 mW

Sources

Apple AirPods Max 2

No source recorded for this side.

OnePlus Buds 4

Manufacturer specification · Buds 4 names a 1 mW input but no frequency or test fixture. Buds Pro 3 names 1 kHz and the literal “Input: -10 dB IEC711” notation, without identifying that input in volts or milliwatts. These do not provide sensitivity on the same basis; do not convert or rank them.

OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs

Evidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.

UK published earbuds and case total weight

Apple AirPods Max 2Not verified

OnePlus Buds 449.02 g

Sources

Apple AirPods Max 2

No source recorded for this side.

OnePlus Buds 4

Manufacturer specification · UK: 49.02 ± 1 g; US: 49.42 ± 1 g. These are published total values, not newly calculated sums. The regional difference remains unexplained.

OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs OnePlus (US) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs

Evidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.

Unreferenced advertised sound pressure

Apple AirPods Max 2Not verified

OnePlus Buds 496.5 dB

Sources

Apple AirPods Max 2

No source recorded for this side.

OnePlus Buds 4

Manufacturer specification · No frequency, input reference, weighting or explicit maximum label is supplied in this row. Do not reinterpret as maximum SPL or sensitivity.

OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs

Evidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.

Bone-conduction voice pickup sensor

Apple AirPods Max 2Not verified

OnePlus Buds 4Not verified

Sources

Apple AirPods Max 2

No source recorded for this side.

OnePlus Buds 4

The complete reviewed Buds4 pages describe three microphones per side but do not establish VPU presence or absence. · Manufacturer specification

OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs

Evidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.

Dust, sweat and water resistance

Apple AirPods Max 2Not verified

OnePlus Buds 4IP55 (earbuds only; the charging case is not rated)

Sources

Apple AirPods Max 2

No source recorded for this side.

OnePlus Buds 4

Manufacturer specification · OnePlus: the earbuds feature IP55 water and dust resistance, however the charging case does not. Water and dust resistance may diminish with device ageing; liquid and dust damage are not covered under the warranty.

OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 overview

Evidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.

Weight per earbud

Apple AirPods Max 2Not verified

OnePlus Buds 44.73 g

Sources

Apple AirPods Max 2

No source recorded for this side.

OnePlus Buds 4

Manufacturer specification · Each earbud, stated as 4.73 ± 0.2 g on both UK and US pages. The UK page gives the charging case as 39.57 ± 1 g (total 49.02 ± 1 g); the US page gives 39.97 ± 1 g (total 49.42 ± 1 g).

OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs OnePlus (US) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs

Evidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.

Wireless case charging

Apple AirPods Max 2Not verified

OnePlus Buds 4Not verified

Sources

Apple AirPods Max 2

No source recorded for this side.

OnePlus Buds 4

The complete reviewed exact pages list USB-C charging but do not explicitly establish wireless-charging presence or absence. Omission does not mean false. · Manufacturer specification

OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 overview

Evidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.

Weight

Apple AirPods Max 2386.2 g

OnePlus Buds 4Not verified

Sources

Apple AirPods Max 2

Manufacturer specification · Headphones including cushions; the Smart Case adds 134.5 g. Apple notes that weight varies by configuration and manufacturing process.

Apple AirPods Max 2 — official UK technical specifications

OnePlus Buds 4

No source recorded for this side.

Evidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.

2 shared fields have the same recorded value.

YOUR HEADPHONES. YOUR RULES.

Check against your must-haves

Feature matching for the features you select. It doesn’t rate sound or comfort.

Start with your listening setup.

Choose a starting point, then fine-tune your must-haves.

FINE-TUNE THE DETAILS

Your essentials.

These shortcuts select the features shown above. Check the fit against your own equipment and listening space.

A feature match describes the selected requirements. It doesn’t rate sound or comfort.

Open-back designFor a quiet listening spaceClosed-back designAn enclosed outer earcupDetachable cableUnplug the cable at the headphonesBuilt-in microphoneFor calls and voice chatActive noise cancellationNot the same as a closed back

YOUR CHOICE

Apple AirPods Max 2

Select a feature to check your fit.

YOUR CHOICE

OnePlus Buds 4

Select a feature to check your fit.

Feature matching, not a sound-quality score. The specification table links to the evidence for each feature.

WHAT EACH CHOICE ASKS OF YOU

What it brings and what to check

Apple AirPods Max 2

What it brings

USB-C does more than charge: Apple lists wired Lossless and ultra-low-latency audio over it, with compatible content from supported apps and services.
Manufacturer source
Apple lists nine microphones in total, eight for noise cancellation and three for voice pickup, two of them shared. There is an Apple H2 chip in each ear cup.
Manufacturer source

What to check

Apple states 386.2 g including cushions, a figure worth weighing up for long listening sessions, and the Smart Case adds another 134.5 g when carried.
Manufacturer source
Many features rely on Apple devices with current software. Apple notes that functionality may be limited on non-Apple devices, and no analogue input or cable is listed in the box.
Manufacturer source

OnePlus Buds 4

What it brings

Supports the LHDC 5.0 codec alongside AAC and SBC, plus dual-device connection and Google Fast Pair.
Manufacturer source
Adaptive ANC is rated up to 55 dB, with separate Adaptive and Transparency modes, and each earbud has three microphones for calls.
Manufacturer source

What to check

The specification page lists USB-C case charging; wireless-charging support is not established by the reviewed exact sources.
Manufacturer source
Battery drops when using LHDC: 5.5 hours per charge with ANC on, versus 6 hours with AAC. OnePlus's UK and US pages also give slightly different case weights (39.57 g and 39.97 g).
Manufacturer source Manufacturer source

COMPARE THE DETAILS

Full specifications

How we verify

Differences only

39 of 39 specifications Sources in each row

Source-backed specifications for Apple AirPods Max 2 and OnePlus Buds 4
Specification	Apple AirPods Max 2	OnePlus Buds 4

Wearing styleDifferent Sources Apple AirPods Max 2 Manufacturer specification · Apple does not describe the ear cups as open or closed-back on the pages read. Apple Store UK — Buy AirPods Max 2 (colour part numbers) OnePlus Buds 4 Manufacturer specification · Two earbuds (one pair) with a charging case; the box lists ear tips in S, M and L pairs, with M pre-installed. OnePlus does not state the ear tip material. OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs	Over-ear wireless headphones	In-ear, true wireless (ear tips in S, M and L)
Weight Sources Apple AirPods Max 2 Manufacturer specification · Headphones including cushions; the Smart Case adds 134.5 g. Apple notes that weight varies by configuration and manufacturing process. Apple AirPods Max 2 — official UK technical specifications OnePlus Buds 4 No source recorded.	386.2 g	Not provided
DimensionsDifferent Sources Apple AirPods Max 2 Manufacturer specification Apple AirPods Max 2 — official UK technical specifications OnePlus Buds 4 Manufacturer specification OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs OnePlus (US) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs	168.6 × 83.4 × 187.3 mm including cushions	Each earbud: 31 x 20.6 x 24.2 mm; charging case: 65.4 x 52.4 x 25.3 mm
Weight per earbud Sources Apple AirPods Max 2 No source recorded. OnePlus Buds 4 Manufacturer specification · Each earbud, stated as 4.73 ± 0.2 g on both UK and US pages. The UK page gives the charging case as 39.57 ± 1 g (total 49.02 ± 1 g); the US page gives 39.97 ± 1 g (total 49.42 ± 1 g). OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs OnePlus (US) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs	Not provided	4.73 g
Dust, sweat and water resistance Sources Apple AirPods Max 2 No source recorded. OnePlus Buds 4 Manufacturer specification · OnePlus: the earbuds feature IP55 water and dust resistance, however the charging case does not. Water and dust resistance may diminish with device ageing; liquid and dust damage are not covered under the warranty. OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 overview	Not provided	IP55 (earbuds only; the charging case is not rated)
UK published case weight Sources Apple AirPods Max 2 No source recorded. OnePlus Buds 4 Manufacturer specification · UK: 39.57 ± 1 g; US: 39.97 ± 1 g. The selected SKU is UK; the source discrepancy is unexplained. Do not average the figures, assert physical equivalence across regions or interpret case weight as the earbuds-and-case total. OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs OnePlus (US) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs	Not provided	39.57 g
UK published earbuds and case total weight Sources Apple AirPods Max 2 No source recorded. OnePlus Buds 4 Manufacturer specification · UK: 49.02 ± 1 g; US: 49.42 ± 1 g. These are published total values, not newly calculated sums. The regional difference remains unexplained. OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs OnePlus (US) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs	Not provided	49.02 g

Wired / wireless connectionsDifferent Sources Apple AirPods Max 2 Manufacturer specification · No analogue input is listed on the specifications page; only the USB-C charge cable is in the box. Apple AirPods Max 2 — official UK technical specifications OnePlus Buds 4 Manufacturer specification · Google Fast Pair is listed without an exact supported-phone range on these Buds 4 pages. Steady Connect is restricted to select OnePlus phones with OxygenOS 15.0.0 or later. The declared Bluetooth range is 10 m; actual conditions and interference vary. Case charging is separate and does not establish cable audio. OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 overview	Bluetooth 5.3; USB-C for charging and wired Lossless / ultra-low-latency audio	Bluetooth 5.4 with Steady Connect; LHDC 5.0, AAC and SBC codecs; dual-device connection
Battery lifeDifferent Sources Apple AirPods Max 2 Manufacturer specification · Each figure has its own Apple test: the 20-hour figure is from testing in January and February 2026 with pre-production AirPods Max 2 paired with production iPhone 17 Pro Max units; the 5-minute charge figure is from testing in March 2026 with pre-production AirPods Max 2 paired with production iPhone 15 Pro Max units. Both used pre-release software, volume at 50%, Active Noise Cancellation enabled and Spatial Audio set to fixed. Battery life depends on device settings, environment, usage and many other factors. Apple AirPods Max 2 — official UK technical specifications OnePlus Buds 4 Manufacturer specification · OnePlus test figures at 50% volume with the stated codec. Fast charge: 10 minutes gives 3.5 hours (earbuds) or 11 hours (earbuds + case) with ANC off, AAC. OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs OnePlus (US) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs	Up to 20 hours of listening on a single charge with Active Noise Cancellation on; 5 minutes of charging gives around 1.5 hours	Earbuds: 6 hours with ANC on, 11 hours with ANC off (AAC). With the case: 24 hours with ANC on, 45 hours with ANC off (AAC). Using LHDC: 5.5 / 22 hours with ANC on and 9 / 37 hours with ANC off.
Charging Sources Apple AirPods Max 2 Manufacturer specification Apple AirPods Max 2 — official UK technical specifications OnePlus Buds 4 No source recorded.	USB-C	Not provided
Platform compatibility Sources Apple AirPods Max 2 Manufacturer specification Apple AirPods Max 2 — official UK technical specifications OnePlus Buds 4 No source recorded.	Full feature set with current Apple devices; works as Bluetooth headphones with non-Apple devices with possibly limited functionality	Not provided
Battery capacity Sources Apple AirPods Max 2 No source recorded. OnePlus Buds 4 Manufacturer specification OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs OnePlus (US) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs	Not provided	Earbuds 62 mAh; charging case 530 mAh
Charge time Sources Apple AirPods Max 2 No source recorded. OnePlus Buds 4 Manufacturer specification OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs OnePlus (US) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs	Not provided	Earbuds about 50 minutes; earbuds + case about 80 minutes
Low-latency mode Sources Apple AirPods Max 2 No source recorded. OnePlus Buds 4 Manufacturer specification · OnePlus Test Laboratory figure; enabled automatically on OnePlus phones, manual operation in the HeyMelody app on other brands. OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 overview	Not provided	47 ms low latency
Bluetooth codecs Sources Apple AirPods Max 2 No source recorded. OnePlus Buds 4 Manufacturer specification · LHDC 5.0 Hi-Res Audio up to 1 Mbps, 24 bit, 192 kHz. Hi-Res Audio is supported on Android devices with LHDC 5.0 (OnePlus phones with Android 12 and above via 'Earbuds Function'; other Android 7.0 and above via the HeyMelody app) and is not supported on iOS devices. OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 overview	Not provided	LHDC 5.0, AAC, SBC
Multipoint (dual-device) connection Sources Apple AirPods Max 2 No source recorded. OnePlus Buds 4 Manufacturer specification OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs	Not provided	Yes
Case charging connector Sources Apple AirPods Max 2 No source recorded. OnePlus Buds 4 Manufacturer specification · The source describes charging, not USB audio or data operation. Compatible charger power and a cable-audio mode are not established. OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs	Not provided	USB Type-C
Playback with case, AAC, ANC on Sources Apple AirPods Max 2 No source recorded. OnePlus Buds 4 Manufacturer specification · Music playback with the case, AAC, ANC on and 50% volume. OnePlus Test Laboratory claim; actual performance varies. OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs	Not provided	24 h

Spatial audioDifferent Sources Apple AirPods Max 2 Manufacturer specification · Apple: compatible hardware and software required; works with compatible content in supported apps; not all content is available in Dolby Atmos. Apple AirPods Max 2 — official UK technical specifications OnePlus Buds 4 Manufacturer specification · Marketed as OnePlus 3D Audio. Set through Earbuds Function on OnePlus phones running Android 12 or later, or through HeyMelody for other iOS/Android 7 or later users. These pages do not explicitly establish head tracking. OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 overview	Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking	Spatial audio rendering
Listed audio technology Sources Apple AirPods Max 2 Manufacturer specification · Apple's footnotes tie several of these features to compatible Apple devices running the latest software; Lossless and ultra-low latency audio need a wired USB-C connection and compatible content. Apple AirPods Max 2 — official UK technical specifications OnePlus Buds 4 No source recorded.	Apple-designed dynamic driver; custom high dynamic range amplifier; Active Noise Cancellation; Adaptive Audio; Transparency mode; Conversation Awareness; Voice Isolation; Personalised Volume; Loud Sound Reduction; Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking; Adaptive EQ; studio-quality audio recording; Lossless Audio and ultra-low latency audio via USB-C; Live Translation	Not provided
Driver constructionDifferent Sources Apple AirPods Max 2 Manufacturer specification · Apple does not publish the driver diameter on the specifications page. Apple AirPods Max 2 — official UK technical specifications OnePlus Buds 4 Manufacturer specification · Woofer: 30-layer ceramic-metal diaphragm; tweeter: flat diaphragm. OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 overview	Apple-designed dynamic driver with custom high-dynamic-range amplifier	Dual drivers: 11 mm woofer + 6 mm tweeter
Chip Sources Apple AirPods Max 2 Manufacturer specification Apple AirPods Max 2 — official UK technical specifications OnePlus Buds 4 No source recorded.	Apple H2 headphone chip in each ear cup	Not provided
Frequency response Sources Apple AirPods Max 2 No source recorded. OnePlus Buds 4 Manufacturer specification OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs OnePlus (US) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs	Not provided	15 Hz to 40 kHz
DAC Sources Apple AirPods Max 2 No source recorded. OnePlus Buds 4 Manufacturer specification OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 overview	Not provided	Dual DACs: a dedicated DAC for each driver (11 mm woofer and 6 mm tweeter)
Listed driver impedances Sources Apple AirPods Max 2 No source recorded. OnePlus Buds 4 Manufacturer specification · The table gives two values but does not explicitly assign them to a named driver or a headphone input/load condition. Do not invent a woofer/tweeter assignment or amplifier compatibility result. OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs	Not provided	18 Ω ± 15%; 10 Ω ± 15%
Manufacturer sensitivity and reference Sources Apple AirPods Max 2 No source recorded. OnePlus Buds 4 Manufacturer specification · Buds 4 names a 1 mW input but no frequency or test fixture. Buds Pro 3 names 1 kHz and the literal “Input: -10 dB IEC711” notation, without identifying that input in volts or milliwatts. These do not provide sensitivity on the same basis; do not convert or rank them. OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs	Not provided	118 ± 1.3 dB at 1 mW
Unreferenced advertised sound pressure Sources Apple AirPods Max 2 No source recorded. OnePlus Buds 4 Manufacturer specification · No frequency, input reference, weighting or explicit maximum label is supplied in this row. Do not reinterpret as maximum SPL or sensitivity. OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs	Not provided	96.5 dB
Manufacturer rated power Sources Apple AirPods Max 2 No source recorded. OnePlus Buds 4 Manufacturer specification · The Audio table does not explicitly assign this rating to an individual driver or define a continuous/peak basis. No power-handling or sound-quality ranking is established. OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs	Not provided	10 mW

Microphone Sources Apple AirPods Max 2 Manufacturer specification · Nine microphones in total; three pick up voice, two of which are shared with noise cancellation. Apple AirPods Max 2 — official UK technical specifications OnePlus Buds 4 Manufacturer specification · Three microphones per earbud with 3-mic AI call noise cancellation. OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs	Yes	Yes
Active noise cancellation Sources Apple AirPods Max 2 Manufacturer specification · Also offers Adaptive Audio and Transparency mode. Apple AirPods Max 2 — official UK technical specifications OnePlus Buds 4 Manufacturer specification · Real-time adaptive ANC advertised up to 55 dB and up to 5,500 Hz; modes: ANC on, Adaptive, Transparency and ANC off. The overview advertises 800 adjustments per second and a 200% voice-cancellation improvement (3×) against OnePlus Buds 3, based on OnePlus Test Laboratory results. These claims do not compare against Buds Pro 3, and no matched attenuation test is supplied. TÜV High Performance Noise Cancellation is a manufacturer-listed claim, not independently re-certified here. OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 overview	Yes	Yes
Manufacturer microphone sensitivity Sources Apple AirPods Max 2 No source recorded. OnePlus Buds 4 Manufacturer specification · Buds4 gives no dBV/Pa reference; Pro3 explicitly gives dBV/Pa. These different bases cannot establish a microphone-performance difference. OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs	Not provided	-38 ± 1 dB

Companion app Sources Apple AirPods Max 2 No source recorded. OnePlus Buds 4 Manufacturer specification · Golden Sound (and OnePlus 3D Audio) is set in 'Earbuds Function' on OnePlus phones with Android 12 and above; other users (iOS / Android 7.0 and above) need the HeyMelody app. The specification page also lists OTA updates. OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 overview	Not provided	Compatible with the HeyMelody app. Sound features: Sound Master EQ (Balanced, Serenade and Bass Mode presets, a customisable six-band EQ and BassWave); Golden Sound personal audio profile from an ear scan and listening test
Find My Earbuds Sources Apple AirPods Max 2 No source recorded. OnePlus Buds 4 Manufacturer specification · Listed by name only; OnePlus does not describe how it works on these pages. OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 overview	Not provided	Yes
AI Translation Sources Apple AirPods Max 2 No source recorded. OnePlus Buds 4 Manufacturer specification · Three earbud taps activate AI Translation on the OnePlus phone; available on select OnePlus devices with OxygenOS 15.0.1 and above. OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 overview	Not provided	Yes
Earbud controls Sources Apple AirPods Max 2 No source recorded. OnePlus Buds 4 Manufacturer specification · Single tap must be manually activated in the phone Settings (OnePlus phones) or the HeyMelody app (other Android and iOS). OnePlus also lists a tap for the phone's built-in voice assistant (activated manually in the same way), Double-Tap for Camera Control and three taps for AI Translation on select OnePlus devices. OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 overview	Not provided	Touch controls on the stem: slide up or down for volume; long touch and hold to switch between Noise Cancellation and Transparency modes; single tap to play or pause; double tap for the next song; triple tap for the previous song

In the box Sources Apple AirPods Max 2 Manufacturer specification Apple AirPods Max 2 — official UK technical specifications OnePlus Buds 4 No source recorded.	AirPods Max 2, Smart Case, USB-C charge cable, documentation	Not provided

Show unverified (3)Not verified, not provided or conflicting for both products. Kept for completeness; never counted as a difference.

Specifications without verified values for either product
Wireless case charging Sources Apple AirPods Max 2 No source recorded. OnePlus Buds 4 The complete reviewed exact pages list USB-C charging but do not explicitly establish wireless-charging presence or absence. Omission does not mean false. · Manufacturer specification OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 overview	Not provided	Not listed by the manufacturer
Spatial audio head tracking Sources Apple AirPods Max 2 No source recorded. OnePlus Buds 4 No explicit head-tracking presence or absence is established in the complete reviewed Buds4 pages. OnePlus3DAudio alone does not prove head tracking. · Manufacturer specification OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 overview	Not provided	Not listed by the manufacturer
Bone-conduction voice pickup sensor Sources Apple AirPods Max 2 No source recorded. OnePlus Buds 4 The complete reviewed Buds4 pages describe three microphones per side but do not establish VPU presence or absence. · Manufacturer specification OnePlus (UK) — OnePlus Buds 4 Specs	Not provided	Not listed by the manufacturer

First product manufacturer source Second product manufacturer source

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Weight per earbud: 5.28 g
Wearing style: In-ear, true wireless (ear tips in XS, S, M and L)
Wired / wireless connections: Bluetooth 5.4 with Steady Connect; LHDC 5.0, AAC and SBC codecs; dual-device connection

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Samsung Galaxy Buds3

Weight per earbud: 4.7 g
Wireless audio connections: Bluetooth v5.4 (Bluetooth Version); A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, PBP, TMAP (Bluetooth Profiles); LE Audio (yes); Auto Switch (yes)
Microphone: Yes

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Samsung Galaxy Buds4

Weight per earbud: 4.6 g
Wireless audio connections: Bluetooth v6.1 (Bluetooth Version); A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, PBP, TMAP (Bluetooth Profiles); LE Audio (yes); Auto Switch (yes)
Microphone: Yes

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Sony LinkBuds Fit

Weight per earbud: 4.9 g
Wearing style: In-ear true wireless earbuds with fitting supporters
Wired / wireless connections: Bluetooth 5.3; Classic Audio or compatible LE Audio (LC3)

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Each record represents an explicitly checked model and configuration. Original import: 5 Sept 2026; this is not its verification date. This is not a list of current offers or a popularity ranking.