Apple's AirPods Max might cost a staggering $549 / £549 / AU$899, but when we looked at Apple's new noise-canceling headphones, we felt they delivered fantastic audio performance. in an elegant and comfortable design. But price aside, there's one big, oddly shaped problem with AirPods Max: the smart cover that comes with them. When the Apple AirPods Max were first announced, the accompanying Smart Case was broadcast on Twitter, with many saying it looked a bit like a bag, bra, or just plain useless because the most vulnerable piece of the helmet (the band) sticks out. . This differs from most of the other best headphones on the market, which come with durable cases that the headphones fold into for maximum protection.
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The smart case that comes with Apple's AirPods Max is an interesting design choice. (Image credit: Apple) Despite its appearance, however, the case can put the headphones into an "ultra-low power state," conserving battery life when the headphones aren't in use. We can only speculate, but it seems that Apple prioritizes these battery conservation benefits over anything else. When, in fact, there's so much more to it, namely protecting your expensive headphones and allowing you to take them with you. That's why it's no surprise that tech accessory company Waterfield Designs has already created a third-party housing option. Called the AirPods Max Shield Case ($99), it's a simple, clean case with a leather exterior and plush interior to protect your earbuds from scratches. This means that this deal is already much better than Apple's offer. Plus, it has a built-in feature that also activates a low power mode, just like the Smart Case does. This makes the huge investment in the new Apple AirPods Max a little more justified: now there's a better way to protect those expensive cans. While that might also make you feel a bit more cheated, for that price, shouldn't the case have covered all the bases? It would be safe to assume that other Smart Case alternatives will be on the way from other brands, so if you're patiently waiting for your Apple AirPods Max to arrive in 2021, it's worth keeping your eyes peeled for a case. to keep them safe while they wait. But act fast, the waiting list for the Waterfield Designs case is already as long as the wait for the headphones themselves.