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 do not have a power button but instead switch to an "ultra-low" power saving mode when placed in the included Smart Case. This raised many questions about what happens to the battery life when the headphones are not in use and are stored without a 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 switch to a "power saving 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 deactivates Bluetooth and location search. 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 they are placed in their Smart Case. Interestingly, they work with the same two power saving modes, just at different times. That is, if the AirPods Max are placed directly in the Smart Case after being put down, the power saving mode is activated immediately. If they remain untouched in this state for 18 hours, the "ultra-low" power saving mode is activated.
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)