Third-party AirPods Max solutions try to address Smart Case criticism

The first third-party cases and pendants for AirPods Max that contain magnets, which allow users to avoid using Apple’s Smart Case, are now on sale.

Apple’s Smart Case contains magnets that put AirPods Max into a power saving mode to conserve battery. After 18 hours in the Smart Case, the AirPods Max will switch to an ultra-low power mode that disables Bluetooth and Find My.

‌AirPods Max aan don’t have a power button, while Apple instead relies on different power modes and the Smart Case to conserve battery. Still, the Smart Case has come under fire for its design, which has been criticized by some customers for offering very little protection and being impractical, and without using it, PAirPods Max‌ takes longer to go into its energy-efficient state.

In the midst of this criticism, outside companies have begun to present solutions to address the criticism of the Smart Case. The WaterField Designs protective “Shield Case” for AirPods Max, unlike Apple’s Smart Case which only partially covers each AirPods Max earcup, keeps the entire headset in an ultra-soft interior and offers three layers of protection. There is also an inner pocket for a charging stone, waterproof zippers and a loop to attach the case to a carabiner.

The WaterField Shield Case contains a “Magnetic Leather Butterfly” that puts irAirPods Max‌ into their power saving mode without Apple’s Smart Case, but it is also possible to flip these magnets down to put ‌AirPods Max‌ in the Shield Case along with their Smart Case. place.

Similarly, on Etsy, a 3D printed ‌AirPods Max‌ “Air Hanger” uses magnets to put the headphones into power-saving mode without the Smart Case. The wall-mounted hanger allows ‌AirPods Max‌ to be hung on any band length, with a curved tab to prevent the headphones from sliding off.

The WaterField Designs Shield Case for “AirPods Max” is available now in a range of colors for $ 99. The Air Hanger is available on Etsy for $ 34.95.