Apple launches AirPods Max 2 with H2 chip and improved ANC

On Monday, Apple unveiled the AirPods Max 2, the long-awaited successor to its premium headphones that first launched in 2020. The new headphones will be available for preorder starting March 25 for $549 in more than 30 countries and regions. According to the company, the headphones will be available early next month, and will come in midnight, starlight, orange, purple, and blue colors.

The headphones are powered by the H2 chip—Apple’s proprietary audio-specific processor. Apple says this processor enables active noise cancellation that is up to 1.5x more effective than the previous model. The H2 chip also powers an Adaptive Audio feature, which automatically adjusts the levels of active noise cancellation and Transparency mode based on the user’s surroundings to optimize the listening experience. Apple claims Transparency mode is now more natural due to a new digital signal-processing algorithm optimized for the H2 chip and the AirPods Max microphone array, allowing users to stay aware of their surroundings.

For high-fidelity listening, the AirPods Max 2 support 24-bit, 48 kHz lossless audio—a high-fidelity audio format—when connected using the included USB-C cable. The headphones also feature a new high-dynamic-range amplifier for cleaner audio, alongside improved Spatial Audio for better instrument localization, bass response, and natural mids and highs. For voice capture, the headphones use “advanced computational audio” to power a voice isolation feature that prioritizes the user’s voice during calls and blocks ambient noise. Apple also states the microphone allows creators, such as podcasters, interviewers, and singers, to capture content with higher-quality audio and more natural vocal texture.

Beyond core audio performance, the headphones introduce several secondary features designed to integrate with the broader Apple ecosystem:

• Live Translation: Helps users communicate across languages in person.
• Camera Remote: Allows users to trigger an iPhone or iPad camera shutter from a distance. Users press the Digital Crown to take a photo, or start and stop video recording in the native Camera app or compatible third-party camera apps.
• Loud Sound Reduction: Helps protect users from loud environmental noise while preserving the sound signature of what they are listening to.

Why it matters

The launch updates Apple’s premium headphone line with the H2 chip, signaling a continued focus on computational audio and deeper integration across its hardware ecosystem.