Photo: Kyu3a / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons · source
AirPods Max 2
Same design, H2 chips and stronger noise cancelling.
Overview
The second generation of Apple's over-ear headphones looks like the first. The change is inside: each ear cup now contains an H2 chip, which supports features that debuted on AirPods Pro, such as Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness and Voice Isolation for calls.
Apple states that active noise cancellation is 1.5 times more effective than on the earlier model, helped by a new amplifier and the more capable chip. Live Translation works with an iPhone to translate speech, and the Digital Crown can serve as a remote shutter in the Camera app.
Lossless audio over the included USB-C cable is available at 24-bit and 48 kHz. Battery life stays at 20 hours with ANC on, the weight is the same 384.8 grams, and the headphones connect with Bluetooth 5.3. The aluminium cups come in several colours, including Midnight, Starlight, Blue, Purple and Orange.
Why it mattered
Brought the headphones into line with AirPods Pro features after five years on the H1 chip.
At a glance
- Announced
- March 16, 2026
- Released
- April 1, 2026
- Launch price
- $549
- Status
- Available
Highlights
- Dual H2 chips
- ANC 1.5x more effective
- Adaptive Audio and Live Translation
- Camera Remote with Digital Crown
- Lossless over USB-C
Tech specs
Specifications as published at launch. Some values (like battery life) are manufacturer estimates.
Audio
- Driver
- 40 mm Apple-designed dynamic driver
- Noise control
- Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency, Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness
- Spatial Audio
- Yes, with dynamic head tracking
- Lossless
- 24-bit/48 kHz over USB-C cable
- Microphones
- Nine microphones
Chip
- Chip
- Apple H2 (one per ear cup)
Battery
- Listening time
- Up to 20 hours (ANC on)
- Total with case
- Not applicable (Smart Case does not charge)
Connectivity
- Bluetooth
- Bluetooth 5.3
- Charging
- USB-C port
Design
- Water resistance
- None
- Weight
- 384.8 g
- Dimensions
- 168.6 x 83.4 x 187.3 mm
Features
- Controls
- Digital Crown and noise control button
- Smart features
- Live Translation, Voice Isolation, Camera Remote
Software
- Launch OS
- iOS 26.4
