User level: Level 1 (8 points)I have just bought a new pair of AirPods Max 2 on eBay and worried may be fake as seller has no receipt ( given to him as gift ) and serial number check says purchased in 2025 ( before release in 2026) and active warranty to November 2027 but not even registered yet on IOS.
should I be concerned?
Posted on Oct 24, 2026 3:30 AM
User level: Level 6 (8,142 points)Oct 24, 2026 3:47 AM in response to KenVal
The only way to be sure that an Apple product you are about to buy is genuine is to buy it from an Apple or Apple-authorized store. Valid serial numbers can be faked just as easily as devices.
It's possible, of course, that the seller mistakenly described them as 2nd gen, but in that case you might have overpaid.
The fact that Apple's checker says that the serial number is not for Airpods Max 2 would be enough for me to be want a refund, whether or not they are genuine. Even if they are genuine, you'll spend the rest of your ownership wondering and worrying. If it were me I'd raise an INAD with eBay and use the screenshot as evidence to return them as "not as described" and get my money back.
User level: Level 6 (8,142 points)Oct 24, 2026 4:00 AM in response to KenVal
Have you checked that features new for the 2nd gen are available?
https://www.apple.com/airpods/compare/?modelList=airpods-max-2,airpods-max
Edit -just noticed sealed box - sorry, pic appeared after I posted.
The fact that the purchase date is 6 months before they were released would be enough for me.
User level: Level 6 (8,142 points)Oct 24, 2026 4:20 AM in response to KenVal
Send them back then.
User level: Level 1 (8 points)Oct 24, 2026 4:01 AM in response to Zurarczurx
I haven’t opened them yet as sealed and may return but I can check serial number match on ear cup, again on iPhone iOS, check headband release on ear cup but cannot find anyway to check that unit has h2 chip installed , only model number which could be faked!
User level: Level 6 (8,142 points)Oct 24, 2026 4:13 AM in response to KenVal
Did you check the comparison link I posted. There are listening features in gen 2 which are not in gen 1
User level: Level 1 (8 points)Oct 24, 2026 4:17 AM in response to Zurarczurx
Yes but really you need to verify presence of h2 chip which not possible.
User level: Level 1 (8 points)Oct 24, 2026 3:56 AM in response to Zurarczurx
Apparently on serial number check it never shows AirPods as max 2 only max. Price was a factor here so I am still considering them.
Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256382021