AirPods Max 2 Gain H2 Chip and AirPods Pro Features

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Originally published at: https://tidbits.com/2026/03/16/airpods-max-2-gain-h2-chip-and-airpods-pro-features/

In what might be the longest gap between meaningful hardware updates for any current Apple product, Apple has announced the AirPods Max 2, finally bringing its pricey over-ear headphones into feature parity with its other AirPods models.

The original AirPods Max launched in December 2020 (see “Apple’s One Last Thing for 2020: AirPods Max,” 8 December 2020). Until now, the headphones had received only a USB-C port swap in September 2024, although firmware updates introduced smaller changes (see “Apple Updates AirPods Pro and AirPods Max to Support Find My,” 6 October 2021, “AirPods Firmware Updates Add Features, Improve Automatic Switching,” 20 September 2023, and “AirPods Max to Support Lossless Audio and Ultra-Low Latency Audio,” 24 March 2025).

Most of the AirPods Max 2 improvements come courtesy of the H2 chip, which replaces the original H1, making Active Noise Cancellation 1.5x more effective than in the original AirPods Max, and improving Transparency mode to make environmental sounds more natural.

The H2 chip also brings to the AirPods Max 2 a suite of capabilities previously introduced in the AirPods Pro, many of which require a device running the latest operating system:

  • Adaptive Audio: Automatically adjusts between Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency based on your environment.
  • Conversation Awareness: Lowers audio and reduces background noise when you start speaking to someone.
  • Live Translation: Real-time translation during in-person conversations, powered by Apple Intelligence.
  • Voice Isolation: Prioritizes your voice during calls while blocking ambient noise.
  • Loud Sound Reduction: Reduces exposure to loud environmental noise while preserving audio quality.
  • Personalized Volume: Automatically fine-tunes the volume based on user preference over time.
  • Siri Interactions: Lets you nod ‘yes’ or shake your head ‘no’ to respond to Siri announcements.

For audio professionals, the AirPods Max 2 now support 24-bit, 48 kHz lossless audio when connected via the included USB-C cable. Apple also added studio-quality audio recording for podcasters and musicians, along with a camera remote feature that lets users trigger photos or start and stop video recording on an iPhone or iPad by pressing the Digital Crown.

Otherwise, the basics have stayed the same, including the $549 price, color options (midnight, starlight, orange, purple, and blue), and the much-mocked Smart Case design (see “Apple’s AirPods Max Headphones Are Pricey but Good,” 15 March 2021). Battery life holds steady at 20 hours with Active Noise Cancellation enabled, although, as Dan Moren noted at Six Colors, Apple has quietly dropped comparison specs like movie playback time and quick-charge benchmarks from its documentation.

The AirPods Max 2 will be available to order on 25 March 2026, with availability in early April.

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I picked up a pair of Sony over ears when the last version came out. Always regretted it even though they were technically better value. They’re a fine pair but the ease of syncing and connection to my various Mac devices meant I used my AirPods Pro almost exclusively.

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Over-ear’s are good for plane journey’s though, as they tend to block more sound including by ANC. Still, I don’t use over-ears enough, so will stick to my older Bose ones for the occasions I fly.

I guess lossless Bluetooth still isn’t a thing yet, as these are cursory upgrades to the newer chip with the same features as the APPro have.

Like the recent display updates that took four years and will likely take another four to get something more interesting from Apple (8K/10K, 32", 120Hz as standard, or something else?), likely AirPods Max 3’s may arrive in another four too with wireless lossless and a design update… maybe, perhaps.

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If the H3 is really released later this year as predicted, it also seems like a miss to have what is nominally your flagship headset (though I’m sure sold in far less volume than the non-max AirPods) be behind the curve in just a few months.

To me, though, the biggest miss is no sweat or water resistance.

I’m also a bit disappointed that the included case still doesn’t offer any real protection for the headphones when not in use. (While I’m sure some people like it, I am not among them.)

I have vacillated on getting a set of AirPods Max since the first introduction, revision, and now these, and I’m sure I’ll continue to do so, especially when attractively discounted.

Kevin

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How is the “ear pressure” feeling with these? I tried a Bose and found it rapidly uncomfortable because of the sense of pressure. The Maxes seemed okay in a very brief attempt in the store, but I’m wondering if anyone else had more experience.

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Hard Shell cases are available that include conveniences like accessory pockets and covers for the headphones. Here is the one I bought for my version 1 Max:

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Alan

Thanks for the pointer to that. I’ve looked at more than one 3rd party case for AirPods Max over the ears. I just don’t think that for a $549 device that you should need to buy one. I doubt (but cannot prove) a decent case would be much more than the rather unprotective one they include.

Kevin

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Do you mean how tightly they fit or the feeling caused by strong ANC (Wirecutter calls the feeling “eardrum suck”)?

According to Wirecutter, people who suffer from eardrum suck need adjustable ANC so that the noise cancellation effect can be decreased until the discomfort stops. But if you’re referring to the headband, it doesn’t look like Apple has changed the design, materials, or fit from v.1. much, if at all.

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Do you mean how tightly they fit or the feeling caused by strong ANC (Wirecutter calls the feeling “eardrum suck”)?

That’s it! Thanks for the article link – very useful. Unfortunately, I’m not going to get expensive headphones if one of the headline features has to be turned way down to be usable.