title: Apple unveils AirPods Max 2 with H2 chip, upgraded noise canceling, and more - 9to5Mac
author: Ryan Christoffel
content_type: article
publication: 9To5Mac
published: 2026-03-16T13:03:33+00:00
source_url: https://9to5mac.com/2026/03/16/apple-unveils-airpods-max-2-with-h2-chip-live-translation-more/
word_count: 367
Apple has announced the official AirPods Max successor today. Years after the original model was introduced, AirPods Max 2 are here.
AirPods Max 2 available to order March 25, shipping early April
Today the long-awaited AirPods Max 2 have been unveiled.
The hallmark new feature is the H2 chip that has long been part of AirPods Pro and AirPods 4. H2, combined with a new high dynamic range amplifier, enables improved audio quality on AirPods Max 2.
H2 also powers an upgraded Active Noise Cancellation experience for users. Per Apple:
“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,” said Eric Treski, Apple’s director of Audio Product Marketing. “The sound quality is remarkably clean, rich, and acoustically detailed — and when combined with capabilities like Personalized Spatial Audio, AirPods Max 2 deliver a profoundly immersive experience.”
Alongside ANC improvements, Apple says Transparency mode is better with the new model too: “With a new digital signal processing algorithm optimized for H2 and the microphone array on AirPods Max, Transparency sounds even more natural.”
H2 is a major upgrade over the H1 found in the previous AirPods Max. That’s because in addition to boosting ANC, it also enables a host of new features that AirPods Max and its H1 chip never supported.
Those new features for AirPods Max 2 users include:
Live Translation
Adaptive Audio
Conversation Awareness
Voice Isolation
Studio-quality audio recording
Loud Sound Reduction
Siri Interactions via head gestures
Camera Remote
If you’re an AirPods Pro user, these features are nothing new—but it’s great to finally get them on AirPods Max.
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Like the previous AirPods Max, the new model supports 24-bit, 48 kHz lossless audio when connected with the included USB-C cable.
AirPods Max 2 cost $549 and will be available to order starting Wednesday, March 25 before shipping in early April.
The new model comes in the same color options found with the previous USB-C model of AirPods Max: midnight, starlight, orange, purple, and blue.
Are you planning to upgrade to AirPods Max 2? Let us know in the comments.
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