March 17, 2026, 2:18 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
After nearly six years on the market, Apple’s AirPods Max finally have a true successor. The tech giant’s most expensive headphones have long lagged behind the smaller AirPods Pro and later even the regular AirPods in terms of technology. The new model now delivers the Pro features.
Externally, the AirPods Max 2 do not differ from the first generation–even the five available colors remain exactly the same. Weight and dimensions are unchanged, just like the Smart Case that puts the headphones into sleep mode. Like the refreshed Max model from 2024, the second generation also comes with a USB-C port that enables lossless audio with low latency via cable.
Few Hardware Innovations
So what’s new? According to Apple, the AirPods Max 2 feature a special amplifier with a wide dynamic range, already known from the AirPods Pro 3. Like the small earbuds, the large over-ear headphones now have “studio”-quality microphones suitable for podcast recordings. For beginners and when nothing else is available, this could be a solution. For professional use, dedicated audio equipment is likely to deliver better results. Conveniently, the Digital Crown allows the Max 2 to be used as a camera shutter for the iPhone, like other AirPods models.
The biggest innovation is undoubtedly the H2 chip, which finally brings the new Max model to the level of the AirPods Pro. The H2 was already installed in the AirPods Pro 2 and is currently found in AirPods Pro 3 and even the more affordable AirPods 4. The increased computing power compared to the H1, which is in the original Max, enables a range of computer-assisted audio functions previously reserved for the AirPods Pro.
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New Chip Brings Pro Features
More than improvements to drivers, amplifiers, or microphones, the focus is clearly on the new chip. “Thanks to the incredible performance of the H2, AirPods Max offer up to 1.5 times more effective ANC for an ultimate listening experience all day long,” Apple quotes Director of Audio Product Marketing Eric Treski in a press release. The already market-leading transparency mode is also said to sound more natural with the H2.
So far, the AirPods Max seemed rather simple compared to the AirPods Pro. With the new chip, the Max 2 finally get the smart features that even the four-year-old AirPods Pro 2 already support. Adaptive Audio automatically adjusts noise cancellation and transparency to the environment. Conversation Detection lowers playback volume as soon as conversations are detected.
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The new Live Translation, introduced by Apple with iOS 26, enables real-time conversations in different languages. Additionally, Voice Isolation improves call quality by highlighting the voice and reducing background noise.
Other features include loud noise reduction without altering the playback sound signature, and personalized volume that adapts to users’ listening habits. The H2 chip also supports Siri interactions: users can respond to requests hands-free through head movements (shaking/nodding).
Same Price as Predecessor
Although the AirPods Max 2 are only now catching up with the AirPods Pro 3 in many respects, the price remains unchanged at 579 euros. Those who opt for over-ear instead of in-ear will have to pay significantly more than double at Apple–the AirPods Pro 3 are almost a bargain in comparison at 249 euros.
Apple clearly positions the AirPods Max 2 as premium headphones, even above competitors like Sony and Bose. They cost almost as much as a complete MacBook Neo with an educational discount.
The pre-order period starts on March 25, with delivery beginning the following month–an exact date is not known.