Summary
- AirPods Max 2 keeps the original design but boosts performance with an H2 chip.
- ANC is up to 1.5x better, improved transparency, upgraded Spatial Audio, and a cleaner amp.
- Same $549 price; pre-orders start March 25, wide release in April. iOS 26.4 required.
It’s been a while since Apple first released its flagship headphones, the AirPods Max, in 2020. Since then, things have been slow in the over-the-ear headphones department. That changes soon as Apple has quietly announced the new AirPods Max 2 on Monday, and seeing the improvements in specifications, I can’t wait to see the long-awaited successor in action.
So what’s new?
ANC gets a neat upgrade
Credit: Apple
The AirPods Max 2 is identical to its predecessor in terms of design. But the same can’t be said for performance. The big upgrade comes in the form of improved Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), which Apple says is up to 1.5x more effective than the previous generation. On the improvements front, Transparency mode also gets an upgrade, making the experience of hearing the surrounding environment more natural.
“With the incredible performance of H2, AirPods Max are upgraded with up to 1.5x more effective ANC for the ultimate all-day listening experience.”
Eric Treski, Apple’s director of Audio Product Marketing
Apple also says the AirPods Max 2 has a new, high-dynamic-range amplifier that will give you cleaner audio without sacrificing the sound signature that AirPods Max owners are already used to. Spatial Audio also gets an upgrade, with better instrument localization and more accurate bass, mids, and highs.
Smart features coming to AirPods Max 2
Set to arrive with iOS 26.4
Credit: Apple
The AirPods Max 2 is powered by the new H2 chip, which, as we already know from Apple’s AirPods Pro 3, opens the door for smarter features. Per Apple, the AirPods Max 2’s smart features are more intelligent and convenient. These will include Live Translation, Camera Remote that lets you trigger your iPhone’s camera shutter from a distance using the new Digital Crown controls, Siri gestures thanks to better head tracking, and a host of others.
These smart features rely on iOS 26.4, meaning the software update will likely arrive around the time the AirPods Max 2 hit the shelves. iPhone users in the USA can expect iOS 26.4 to drop by the last week of April, or possibly late March. The fact that Apple is currently on the fourth beta of the software suggests that the final release is just around the corner.
A great upgrade that costs the same as before
That said, for those of you who were planning to get a cheaper AirPods Max, you might want to hold that thought, as the pricing here hasn’t changed. The new and improved AirPods Max 2 will once again start at $549 in the same Blue, Midnight, Orange, Purple, and Starlight colors. Unfortunately, there seems to be no change in the Smart Case for the Max, which I personally was hoping for. The AirPods Max 2 will be available for pre-order on March 25, with wide release in April.
