AirPods · Max
2026
AirPods Max 2
H2 brings up to 1.5x more effective ANC, Adaptive Audio, Live Translation, and 24-bit/48kHz lossless audio over USB-C while expanding AirPods Max into Apple-documented professional creation and mixing workflows.
- Announced
- 2026-03-16
- Family
- AirPods
- Branch
- Max
- Historical weight
- Major evolution
Key specifications
Apple verification ↗- Chip / CPU
- Dual Apple H2
- Ports & charging
- USB-C
- Weight
- 386 g (13.6 oz)
- Dimensions
- Over-ear headphones
- Original OS
- Driver/firmware support
- Launch price
- $549
- Released
- April 2026
Generation delta
What changed?
Introduced
9- Silicon
H2 computational-audio platform
Transitions AirPods Max from the H1 era to H2; the cited Apple launch source does not specify a chip count, so no per-ear-cup quantity is asserted here.
- Audio
More effective Active Noise Cancellation
Apple claims H2 and new computational-audio algorithms deliver ANC that is up to 1.5x more effective than the previous generation.
- Audio
Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness, and Voice Isolation
Over-ear computational listening modes dynamically blend ANC and Transparency based on environmental noise, lower media when the user talks, and isolate vocal frequencies on calls.
- Audio
Live Translation
Real-time spoken language translation integrated into over-ear audio.
- Ports
24-bit, 48 kHz lossless audio over USB-C
Pure digital lossless wired audio and ultra-low latency playback via the included USB-C cable.
- Ports
Professional Spatial Audio monitoring in Logic Pro
Allows musicians and producers to both create and mix in Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking directly via USB-C on Mac.
- Audio
Studio-quality audio recording
High-performance microphone array unlocks broadcast-grade vocal recording for podcasts and content creation.
- Camera
Camera remote control
Integrated headphone controls allow triggering camera capture on paired devices.
- Audio
High dynamic range amplifier
Custom amplifier architecture delivers cleaner audio reproduction and ultra-low distortion across the frequency spectrum.
Changed
1- Audio
Transparency mode DSP
Algorithmic overhaul optimized for H2 makes environmental voices and ambient surroundings sound significantly more natural.
Retained
1- Input
Over-ear industrial design
Premium stainless steel headband frame, breathable knit mesh canopy, anodized aluminum ear cups, tactile Digital Crown, dedicated noise control button, and magnetic memory foam ear cushions.
Technology DNA
Ideas carried by this generation.
Canonical predecessor
AirPods Max AirPods Max 2