Apple recently introduced the brand new AirPods Max. Interestingly, the over-ear headphones do not have a power button. But what exactly does that mean for the battery?
When Apple launched the AirPods Max last week presented It was revealed that they are not equipped with a power button but instead enter an "ultra-low" power saving mode when placed in the included Smart Case. This raised many questions about what happens to battery life when the headphones are not in use and are stored without the Smart Case. For this reason, Apple has now spoken out and released a new support document It answers some important questions that surprisingly suggest that the audio accessories can work without a Smart Case.
AirPods Max have two power saving modes
If the new over-ear headphones are removed but not placed in the Smart Case, they enter a "low-power mode" after five minutes. If the AirPods Max remain untouched in this state for three days, a so-called "ultra-low" power saving mode is activated, according to Apple. This disables Bluetooth and location tracking. The support document states:
If you put your AirPods Max down and leave them still for 5 minutes, they'll go into a low-power mode to conserve battery charge. After 72 hours without a Smart Case, your AirPods Max will go into a lower-power mode where Bluetooth and Find My are turned off to continue conserving battery charge.

Smart Case accelerates switching to power saving mode
Apple has also clarified how the headphones behave when placed in their Smart Case. Interestingly, they operate with the same two power saving modes, just at different times. This means that if the AirPods Max are placed directly into the Smart Case after being placed down, the power saving mode activates immediately. If they remain untouched in this state for 18 hours, the "ultra-low" power saving mode activates.
If you put your AirPods Max in the Smart Case when you're not using them, they'll immediately go into power saving mode to conserve battery charge. After 18 hours in the Smart Case, your AirPods Max will enter an ultra-low power saving mode that turns off Bluetooth and Find My and maximizes battery life.
Based on the latest information, it is now clear that the headphones can also function without the Smart Case. So there is nothing wrong with leaving it at home. (Image: Apple)




