The Apple orchard is in full bloom this March, with one launch following another. The latest addition to the lineup is the AirPods Max 2, the successor to Apple’s first over-ear headphones. It’s a somewhat surprising arrival, given that the original AirPods Max debuted nearly six years ago and there were no leaks whatsoever of an upcoming update.
That said, it marks a new chapter for these headphones. The second-generation AirPods Max brings a host of improvements—although they are all something which we have seen in newer AirPods Pro models—and there’s nothing groundbreaking (well, other than the pricing).
Let’s take a closer look at what’s on offer.
Improved ANC & Transparency Mode
Apple claims the AirPods Max 2 delivers up to 1.5× stronger Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) compared to the original AirPods Max, thanks to the H2 chip and updated computational audio algorithms.
The enhanced ANC is designed to cut down more environmental noise—think airplane engines, trains, or chaotic public spaces—so you can stay locked into your music or calls without a lot of disturbance (a blessing truly, especially in a country as “vibrant” and “lively” as ours).
Transparency mode has also been refined, using improved signal processing to make outside sounds feel more natural.
Better Audio
You’d expect a newer, pricier pair of headphones to sound better—and thankfully, these do. Apple says the AirPods Max 2 features a new high dynamic range amplifier, delivering cleaner audio and more consistent bass.
For wired listening, the headphones support 24-bit/48kHz lossless audio via the included USB-C cable, enabling higher-quality playback for music, movies, and games.
New Colours
Spring has been a colourful season for Apple this year, with its latest launches embracing fresh palettes. The AirPods Max 2 follows suit, arriving in five striking new finishes—Midnight, Starlight, Orange, Purple, and Blue—very mindful, very demure.
H2 Chip
This new chip brings a range of smaller—but meaningful—improvements that elevate the overall listening experience. Features like Adaptive Audio intelligently balance noise cancellation and transparency based on the users’ surroundings, while Conversation Awareness automatically lowers the volume when you start speaking.
You also get additions like Live Translation, Voice Isolation, and Personalised Volume, all of which make everyday use a bit more seamless—especially for those who cannot live away from their headphones.
There are a few extras too. The Camera Remote feature lets you press the Digital Crown to snap photos or start video recording on an iPhone or iPad, and you can even nod or shake your head to respond to Siri—because sometimes, saying “yes” out loud is just too much effort. I’ll be honest, I find the Camera Remote to be a very random feature to add. But it’s Apple and if they have been consistent with one thing over the years, it is the random additions, so I am not particularly surprised.
Increased Pricing
“With great power comes great price” – (Tim Cook, probably!) — And the AirPods Max 2 lives up to that noble idea.
While globally the price of these AirPods Max 2 has remained the same as that of its predecessor at $549 in India, there has been a ₹8,000 hike. The device will be sold at ₹67,900 as opposed to the AirPods Max, which were launched at ₹59,900. What did we Indians do to get that unfair hike? I guess we’ll never know.
At this price point, the AirPods Max 2 stands among the most expensive headphone options in the country, going head-to-head with premium offerings from Sony and Bose—both of which deliver strong ANC and spatial audio features at comparatively lower prices.
It’s a pretty underwhelming launch for a device with underwhelming innovation—looks like a cash grab endeavour to me—but it’s here now. And all things considered, the AirPods Max 2 brings a range of solid additions, but nothing particularly groundbreaking—it’s largely a compilation of features we’ve already seen before with AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Pro 3.
Apple seems to be positioning the second-gen AirPods Max more toward creators and professionals rather than the regular audience, with features that cater to a more demanding, all-day use case. Regardless, it will be interesting to see how these fare in the market where they already have competition waiting.
Pre-orders for AirPods Max 2 begin on March 25, with sales kicking off early next month.
