A while ago, Apple launched their AirPods Max, a pair of $550 wireless headphones. The moment they came out, one of the first thoughts that crossed my mind was that there are going to be clones, replicas, and knockoffs of this product because it is so expensive and because it is such a desirable brand.
So I hopped onto Alibaba, took a look around, and found so many Fake AirPods Max. But one thing stood out immediately. There are seemingly two tiers of these counterfeit products.
There is an expensive $150 clone and then there are the $30 to $40 clones that are also very popular. I ordered one of each, and that is exactly what we are looking at today. A $30 knockoff version of the AirPods Max, a $150 version, and of course, the original $550 AirPods Max.
Table of Contents
The Packaging
The first thing I noticed when these arrived is that the boxes are incredibly similar. The fake version has the same kind of design print, the same shape, and the same size. But what really caught my attention is that the packaging is embossed and raised, and it looks like so much effort went into it. It almost feels like the same company that made the original packaging also made the fake one.
Even the back of the box is nearly identical. Unless you were specifically looking for differences, you would not be able to tell them apart. You would very convincingly think this was a real pair of AirPods Max. The one noticeable difference is that the fake version has a warmer, more orange-red color tone, whereas the original has a more natural color. That is honestly about it.
As for the $30 version, that one did not even come in a proper box. It arrived in a plastic bag without a charging cable. We will get back to that shortly.
What Is Inside the Box?
Opening up the $150 fake, the similarities just keep coming. Even the pamphlet inside is nearly identical to the one in the real box. The USB-C or Lightning cable is not wrapped up quite the same way as the real one, but it is still convincing. Looking through the paperwork page by page, it has the same quality of paper and the same quality of print.
At this point, it genuinely felt like there was malicious intent behind these products, not just an attempt to offer a cheaper alternative, but a deliberate effort to deceive people into thinking they were buying the real thing.
Read More: AirPods Max Review
Build Quality of Real vs Fake AirPods
At first glance, the only reason I could tell the real one from the $150 fake was the color. The real one comes in a space gray tone, while the fake leans toward a noticeably black color. The carrying case on both is magnetic, though the magnet on the fake is not quite as strong. Still, we are looking at very minor differences at this point.
The real AirPods Max features aluminum ear cups, and you can feel that premium metal build immediately. The $150 fake, on the other hand, is plastic, but it is heavier than you would expect for a plastic device.
It is almost as if they stacked something on the inside to add weight. The silicone and mesh materials feel convincing at a glance, but looking closely, the real one has a firmer mesh with a denser knit, while the fake has a softer feel to it.
The $30 Fake
This one is a completely different story. It is plastic through and through, very cheap feeling, squeaky, and creaky. The hinge does not function properly, and the overall construction feels incredibly junky. However, aesthetically speaking, it has done a surprisingly decent job of mimicking the look. For a $30 knockoff, it is visually convincing enough from a distance, aside from that very obvious squeak.
Comfort
Putting on the real AirPods Max, they are heavy but genuinely comfortable for their weight. Apple has done a great job making them fit nicely despite the heft.
The $150 fake is also heavy for a plastic device. The hinge is stiff but functional. They are not as comfortable as the real ones, and there is a noticeable compression against the skull that would likely become uncomfortable during extended wear.
The $30 pair is simply not good. There is no isolation whatsoever, the padding is not spongy enough, and they are just not comfortable to wear. For the look alone, they pass at first glance, but the moment you put them on, the difference is obvious.
Sound Quality Of $30 Fake
The audio quality is very mediocre. For $30 and plastic headphones, that is honestly what you would expect. They certainly do not sound anything like the real AirPods Max. There is also no active noise cancellation. I tested the software settings, turning it on and off, and it seemed to have absolutely no effect on noise cancellation. Again, that is expected at this price point.
The $150 Fake
This one was more interesting. When I went to pair it, I noticed it triggered a pop-up on my iPhone, just like a real Apple product would. It even had the animation and everything, meaning there is likely a fake chip inside this knockoff that tricks the phone into thinking it is a genuine pair of AirPods Max. It identified itself as the “Pro Max” rather than the AirPods Max, which was a giveaway.
In terms of sound quality, it is passable but not worth $150. If someone paid that price and received this level of sound quality, they would be very disappointed. The active noise cancellation does technically work, but it is so weak that it is almost pointless. It exists, but you would barely notice it.
The Real AirPods Max
The real AirPods Max sounds exactly like it should, clearly the best of the three. The difference in audio quality is immediately noticeable, and it is not close.
Should You Be Worried About Fakes?
There are a couple of major takeaways from this comparison. First, if you are planning to buy a pair of AirPods Max, be very cautious about where you purchase them. Buying from anything other than a reputable store puts you at real risk of being duped by these counterfeit products. It is genuinely shocking how accurate these replicas are in terms of appearance and even packaging.
