AirPods Max (Lightning) trade-in and resale value
In the United Kingdom, CeX pays up to £198 for AirPods Max (Lightning) in good condition (5 Oct 2026). Apple does not give trade-in credit for AirPods; it takes them for recycling only. The AirPods Max (Lightning) have noise cancelling, but not Adaptive Audio, Live Translation, Apple's hearing features or heart-rate sensing.
Check your AirPods Max (Lightning) →
What AirPods Max (Lightning) sell for, by country
| Country | Best local quote | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | $292 | CeX shop quote |
| Germany | €160 | MacOnline Ankauf shop quote |
| India | ₹23,400 | CeX shop quote |
| Ireland | €189 | CeX shop quote |
| Italy | €188 | CeX shop quote |
| Japan | ¥25,000 | イオシス 買取 shop quote |
| Mexico | MX$2,700 | CeX shop quote |
| Netherlands | €211 | CeX shop quote |
| Poland | 770 PLN | CeX shop quote |
| Portugal | €214 | CeX shop quote |
| Singapore | $200 | Mister Mobile shop quote |
| Spain | €162 | CeX shop quote |
| United Kingdom | £198 | CeX shop quote |
| United States | $120 | GadgetGone shop quote |
These prices are for a complete pair with its case.
Is it worth upgrading from the AirPods Max (Lightning) to the AirPods Max 2?
New AirPods Max 2 cost £499 in the United Kingdom. After selling yours at the best local quote, they cost £301 (5 Oct 2026). Our default verdict: UPGRADE.
Your AirPods Max (Lightning) are 6 years old. The AirPods Max 2 are a real step up.
- They are 6 years old. AirPods batteries hold less charge as they age, and you cannot replace them yourself.
What the AirPods Max 2 add
- Adaptive Audio, and Conversation Awareness, which lowers the volume when you start talking.
- Live Translation, with an iPhone that runs Apple Intelligence.
- Head gestures: nod or shake your head to answer or decline a call.
- USB-C charging instead of Lightning.
- The H2 chip, against the H1 in yours.
Your own result depends on condition, what bothers you and where you sell, so run the tool for your AirPods.
AirPods Max (Lightning) vs current AirPods
| AirPods Max (Lightning) | AirPods 5 | AirPods 5 (wireless case) | AirPods Pro 3 | AirPods Max 2 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chip | H1 | H2 | H2 | H2 | H2 |
| Noise cancelling | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Adaptive Audio | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Live Translation | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Hearing features | No | No | No | Yes | No |
| Heart rate | No | No | No | Yes | No |
| Charging | Lightning | USB-C | USB-C | USB-C | USB-C |
Questions
Do the AirPods Max (Lightning) have noise cancelling?
Yes. The AirPods Max (Lightning) have Active Noise Cancellation.
Do the AirPods Max (Lightning) support Live Translation?
No. Live Translation works on AirPods 4 with ANC, AirPods 5, AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods Max 2, with an iPhone that runs Apple Intelligence.
Do the AirPods Max (Lightning) have Apple's hearing features?
No. Hearing Test, Hearing Aid and Hearing Protection work on AirPods Pro 2 and Pro 3 only.
How much are AirPods Max (Lightning) worth?
In the United Kingdom, CeX pays up to £198 for AirPods Max (Lightning) in good condition (5 Oct 2026). Apple does not give trade-in credit for AirPods; it takes them for recycling only.
More
Other models: AirPods Max 2 · AirPods Max (USB-C)
AirPods trade-in prices by country: Australia · Germany · India · Ireland · Italy · Japan · Mexico · Netherlands · Poland · Portugal · Singapore · Spain · United Kingdom · United States
Sources: the local shops named above and Apple's AirPods pages, checked 5 Oct 2026. How we collect and calculate.