Most AirPods generations look nearly identical, so sellers often mislabel them, and the earbuds and case in one set can even come from different generations. The fastest way to answer “what AirPods do I have” is Settings on a paired iPhone, and Apple also prints a model number on every earbud. This guide covers both methods, a model-by-model table from the original AirPods (1st generation) to AirPods 5, AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods Max 2, and the look-alike pairs that trip people up.
Quick Answer
Connect your AirPods to an iPhone or iPad, open Settings and tap the name of your AirPods near the top of the screen (or go to Settings > Bluetooth and tap the More Info button next to them). The About section shows the model name, model number, serial number and firmware version. No iPhone handy? Read the model number printed on the underside of either earbud, or behind the left ear cushion on AirPods Max, and match it to the table below. Then check what that exact model sells for before you list or buy.
Check AirPods Prices on Swappa
The Fastest Way: Check Settings on Your iPhone
Apple puts every identifier on one screen:
- Put your AirPods in your ears, or open the case next to your unlocked iPhone, so they connect.
- Open the Settings app and tap the name of your AirPods at the top of the screen. You can also go to Settings > Bluetooth and tap the More Info button next to your AirPods.
- Scroll down to the About section.
What the About lines tell you:
- Model name: The generation, such as AirPods Pro 2 or AirPods 4. Match it to the Swappa product page with the same name.
- Model number: An A followed by four digits, such as A2084. Apple’s Identify your AirPods list matches each number to a generation, and it’s the best tiebreaker when two models look the same.
- Serial number: On AirPods and AirPods Pro, the earbuds and case share one primary serial number, which is also printed on the underside of the case lid, according to Apple’s serial number instructions. Each earbud also has its own serial number printed on it.
- Version: The firmware, which updates automatically while the AirPods charge near your iPhone, iPad or Mac, per Apple’s AirPods firmware page.
On a Mac, open System Settings, click Bluetooth, then click the Info button next to your AirPods. On iOS 13 or earlier, go to Settings > General > About and tap your AirPods’ name instead.
Read the Model Number on the Earbuds and the Case
If you can’t connect the AirPods, the hardware still identifies them.
On the earbuds. Apple prints the model number on the underside of each AirPod, starting with the letter A. The print is tiny, so use a bright light or your phone’s camera zoom. Apple lists one to three model numbers for each generation, and any one of them tells you the generation.
On AirPods Max. The model number is behind the cushion on the left ear cup, which detaches magnetically. The serial number is under the same cushion.
On the case. Apple tells charging cases apart by their features rather than a printed model number: the charging port (Lightning or USB-C), where the status light sits, whether there’s a setup button on the back, a speaker on the bottom, or a lanyard loop on the side. The serial number is on the underside of the lid on every case Apple lists.
On the box. The original packaging shows the serial number next to the barcode, and the original receipt or invoice lists it too.
Apple sells replacement earbuds and cases separately, so a used set can mix parts. If the case and earbuds point to different generations, see the mismatch section below.
How to Tell AirPods Models Apart
Every model number below comes from Apple’s Identify your AirPods list, updated September 25, 2026. Case and control details come from Apple’s AirPods User Guide and AirPods comparison page.
| AirPods (Year) | Earbud Model Numbers | Charging Case | Design Clues | Chip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AirPods 5 (2026) | A3531, A3532, A3533 | Charging Case A3530: USB-C, no back button | Short stems, no ear tips, ANC | H2 |
| AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case (2026) | A3439, A3440, A3441 | Wireless Charging Case A3529: USB-C, speaker on the bottom, no back button | Short stems, no ear tips, ANC, volume swipe | H2 |
| AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation (2024) | A3056, A3055, A3057 | Wireless Charging Case A3059: USB-C, speaker on the bottom, no back button | Short stems, no ear tips, ANC | H2 |
| AirPods 4 (2024) | A3053, A3050, A3054 | Charging Case A3058: USB-C, no back button | Short stems, no ear tips, no ANC | H2 |
| AirPods (3rd generation) (2021) | A2565, A2564 | MagSafe Charging Case A2566 or Lightning Charging Case A2897: Lightning, setup button | Short stems, no ear tips, force sensor | H1 |
| AirPods (2nd generation) (2019) | A2032, A2031 | Lightning Charging Case A1602 or Wireless Charging Case A1938: Lightning, setup button | Longer stems, no ear tips, double-tap controls | H1 |
| AirPods (1st generation) (2016) | A1523, A1722 | Lightning Charging Case A1602 (status light inside the case); also fits the Wireless Charging Case A1938 | Longer stems, no ear tips, double-tap controls | W1 |
| AirPods Pro 3 (2025) | A3063, A3064, A3065 | MagSafe Charging Case A3122: USB-C, speaker, lanyard loop, no back button | Foam-layered ear tips in five sizes, heart rate sensors, volume swipe | H2 |
| AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) (2023) | A3047, A3048, A3049 | MagSafe Charging Case (USB-C) A2968: speaker, lanyard loop, setup button | Silicone ear tips in four sizes, volume swipe | H2 |
| AirPods Pro 2 (Lightning) (2022) | A2931, A2699, A2698 | MagSafe Charging Case (Lightning) A2700: speaker, lanyard loop, setup button | Silicone ear tips in four sizes, volume swipe | H2 |
| AirPods Pro (1st generation) (2019) | A2084, A2083 | Charging Case A2190 (2019) or MagSafe Charging Case A2190 (2021): Lightning, no speaker, setup button | Silicone ear tips in three sizes, force sensor without volume swipe | H1 |
| AirPods Max 2 (2026) | A3454 | Smart Case | USB-C; midnight, starlight, blue, purple or orange | H2 |
| AirPods Max (USB-C) (2024) | A3184 | Smart Case | USB-C; midnight, starlight, blue, purple or orange | H1 |
| AirPods Max (Lightning) (2020) | A2096 | Smart Case | Lightning; space gray, silver, sky blue, green or pink | H1 |
Look-Alikes That Trip People Up
These pairs are the easiest to mix up. Here’s how to separate each one, with Swappa average sale prices from early October 2026 to show why it matters. Prices change, so treat them as approximate.
AirPods Pro (1st generation) vs. AirPods Pro 2. Flip the case over. The Pro 2 case has a speaker on the bottom and a lanyard loop on the side, and the Pro 1 case has neither. The Pro 2 stems also add volume swipe, and Apple shipped four ear tip sizes with the Pro 2 against three with the Pro 1. A Pro 1 averaged about $76 on Swappa, against about $109 for a Pro 2.
AirPods Pro 2 (Lightning) vs. AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C). Same earbuds and case shape, so check the port on the bottom of the case or the model numbers. Swappa lets you filter Lightning and USB-C Pro 2 listings separately.
AirPods Pro 2 vs. AirPods Pro 3. The Pro 3 case and the USB-C Pro 2 case both charge over USB-C and have a speaker and lanyard loop, but the Pro 3 case has no setup button on the back. The Pro 3 ear tips contain a layer of soft foam and sit slightly turned inward to keep the heart rate sensors against your ear, and Apple includes five sizes, adding XXS. A Pro 3 averaged about $176, well above the Pro 2.
AirPods (3rd generation) vs. AirPods 4. Both have short stems and no ear tips. The 3rd generation case charges over Lightning and has a setup button on the back, while AirPods 4 cases use USB-C and have no button. The 3rd generation averaged about $70 and AirPods 4 about $83.
AirPods 4 vs. AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation. The ANC case has a speaker on the bottom and charges wirelessly on Qi chargers and the Apple Watch charger. The standard case has no speaker and charges only over USB-C. Swappa’s AirPods 4 page lets you filter for the ANC version.
AirPods 4 vs. AirPods 5. This is the newest trap. On Apple’s spec lists, the AirPods 5 Charging Case has the same features as the standard AirPods 4 case (USB-C, no speaker, no back button), and the AirPods 5 Wireless Charging Case matches the AirPods 4 ANC case (USB-C, a speaker on the bottom, no back button). The model numbers settle it. Two tells help: every AirPods 5 has ANC, with press-and-hold on the stem switching listening modes, and only the AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case adds volume swipe. Swappa’s first AirPods 5 sales averaged about $103 on a very thin sample, and Apple sells them new from $129.
AirPods (1st generation) vs. AirPods (2nd generation). They look the same, and either generation can sit in either the Lightning Charging Case or the Wireless Charging Case, so only the model number answers it. The 2nd generation also added hands-free “Hey Siri.” A 1st generation pair averaged about $20, against about $56 for the 2nd generation.
AirPods Max (Lightning) vs. AirPods Max (USB-C) vs. AirPods Max 2. The Lightning port and the original five colors in the table give away the first Max. The USB-C Max and Max 2 share USB-C and the same five colors, so read the model number behind the left cushion: A3184 is the USB-C Max and A3454 is the Max 2, which also adds Adaptive Audio and Conversation Awareness. The Lightning Max averaged about $209, the USB-C Max about $256 and the Max 2 about $382, so a mislabeled Max can cost you over $100.
Browse Every AirPods Model on Swappa
Mismatched Earbuds or Case? What Works Together
A case and its earbuds have to match. Apple says the AirPods 4, AirPods 4 (ANC), AirPods 5 and AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case cases each work only with their own earbuds, so a standard AirPods 4 case won’t take ANC earbuds. For older sets, the Lightning Charging Case and the Wireless Charging Case both work with AirPods (1st and 2nd generation).
If the earbuds in a case are different generations or belong to someone else, your iPhone may show a Mismatched AirPods alert. To check a set yourself, read the model number on both earbuds and confirm that both numbers belong to the same row of Apple’s list. Apple’s replacement setup steps explain how to pair a genuine replacement earbud or case.
Lost one earbud? Is it Worth Replacing a Lost Apple AirPod Earbud? compares Apple’s replacement cost with buying a full used set. Buying used? Ask the seller whether either earbud or the case was ever replaced.
What Your Model Tells You: Features and Value
The chip is the biggest dividing line. H2 models (AirPods 4, AirPods 5, AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods Max 2) get Apple’s newer features, such as activating Siri with just “Siri” and, on models with ANC, Adaptive Audio. H1 models never got them. Apple’s Hearing Test and Hearing Aid features run only on AirPods Pro 2 and later, per Apple’s own feature notes (this guide isn’t medical advice). Used AirPods Buyer’s Guide: Gen, Pro & Max Compared ranks every generation by value.
A model number tells you which AirPods a pair claims to be, not whether it’s genuine. How to Tell If Used AirPods Are Fake covers the serial number check and software tells. For battery wear, which iOS doesn’t show as a percentage, see Used AirPods Battery Health & Hygiene: What to Know, and for cleaning, How to Clean Apple AirPods: Every Model, Every Part.
Have Beats or Galaxy Buds? Quick Paths
Beats. The same Settings trick works: tap the name of your Beats near the top of Settings on an iPhone, then scroll to About. On Android, open the Beats app and scroll to “Under the Hood” for the serial number and firmware, per Apple’s Beats User Guide. On Beats Studio Pro and Solo 4, the serial number is printed on the slider above the right earcup. Browse used Beats by model.
Galaxy Buds. On an Android phone, the Galaxy Wearable app shows your connected earbuds by model name, and Samsung puts software updates under Earbuds settings in the same app, per Samsung support. Compare prices on models such as the Galaxy Buds3 Pro.
What to Do Next: Price It, Sell It, or Check a Listing
If you’re selling, find your exact model in the table and check what it has sold for on Swappa’s price pages. Then clear the AirPods from your account, because a buyer can’t pair AirPods that are still tied to your Apple Account, and Apple says it can’t remove that Find My Lock for you:
- Open the Find My app, tap Devices, tap your AirPods, tap the Details button, then tap Remove and confirm, per Apple. You can also remove them at icloud.com/find.
- Reset them. On AirPods (1st to 3rd generation) and AirPods Pro (1st and 2nd generation), hold the setup button on the back of the open case for about 15 seconds. On AirPods 4, AirPods 5 and AirPods Pro 3, double-tap the front of the case three times as the light changes, per Apple’s reset steps. On AirPods Max, hold the listening mode button and the Digital Crown for 15 seconds, per Apple.
How to Sell Used AirPods and Headphones for the Most Money covers photos, pricing and shipping. Listing is free, and selling fees are lower than other auction-site fees: Swappa charges a 3% seller fee on your Ask Price, the buyer’s 3% fee is already included in the listed price, and you pay payment processing (PayPal is 3.49% + $0.49). AirPods that won’t charge, connect or hold a charge can’t be listed, because listings must be fully functional, so replace a dead pair with a used one instead.
If you’re buying, ask the seller for a screenshot of the About section in Settings or a clear photo of the model numbers on the earbuds, and make sure they match the listing and Apple’s list. Real people approve Swappa listings before they go live, and if AirPods arrive as something other than what was advertised, you’re entitled to a refund. Confirm before you pay that the seller removed them from their Apple Account.
Have an iPhone to identify too? What iPhone Do I Have? How to Identify Any iPhone Model works the same way. For headphones beyond AirPods, start with Used AirPods and Headphones: The Complete Buyer and Seller Guide.
FAQ
How do I find out which AirPods I have?
Connect your AirPods to an iPhone or iPad, open Settings and tap the name of your AirPods near the top of the screen. The About section shows the model name, model number, serial number and firmware version. Without an iPhone, read the model number printed on the underside of either earbud and match it to Apple’s Identify your AirPods list.
Where is the model number on AirPods?
On AirPods and AirPods Pro, it’s printed on the underside of each earbud and starts with the letter A. On AirPods Max, it’s behind the cushion on the left ear cup. It also appears in the About section when you tap your AirPods’ name in iPhone Settings.
What AirPods is model number A2084?
A2084 is AirPods Pro (1st generation), released in 2019. Apple lists it alongside A2083 for the same generation, and both of its Lightning charging cases carry model number A2190. AirPods Pro (1st generation) averaged about $76 on Swappa in early October 2026, against about $109 for AirPods Pro 2.
How can I tell AirPods Pro 1 from AirPods Pro 2?
Check the case. The AirPods Pro 2 case has a speaker on the bottom and a lanyard loop on the side, and the AirPods Pro 1 case has neither. AirPods Pro 2 also add volume swipe on the stems. The model numbers confirm it: A2084 and A2083 are Pro 1, while Pro 2 uses A2931, A2699 and A2698 (Lightning) or A3047, A3048 and A3049 (USB-C).
How do I tell AirPods Max USB-C from AirPods Max 2?
They look identical and come in the same five colors, so remove the left ear cushion and read the model number: A3184 is AirPods Max (USB-C) and A3454 is AirPods Max 2. In iPhone Settings, the model name says which one you have, and only the Max 2 offers Adaptive Audio and Conversation Awareness.
Can I use an AirPods case from a different generation?
Generally no. Apple says each AirPods 4, AirPods 4 (ANC), AirPods 5 and AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case case works only with its own earbuds. The exception is the oldest sets: the Lightning Charging Case and Wireless Charging Case both work with AirPods (1st and 2nd generation).
Conclusion
Settings on a paired iPhone identifies any working AirPods in seconds, and the model number printed on each earbud, or behind the left cushion on AirPods Max, identifies a pair that won’t connect. The case fills in the rest: its port, back button, speaker and lanyard loop narrow most look-alikes fast. Once you know the exact model, you can price it against real Swappa sales, list it, or confirm that a listing is the pair you’re paying for.
