The AirPods Max 2 features and price story centres on Apple’s updated over-ear headphones, which keep the familiar premium design while adding newer audio and software tools. Apple lists AirPods Max at $549, with support for USB-C, lossless audio, and several features tied to newer AirPods software and the H2 chip.
According to Apple’s comparison pages, the updated AirPods Max use the H2 chip instead of the H1 chip in the first generation. Apple also lists Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness, Personalised Volume, Voice Isolation, and Live Translation among the newer features.
The overall design remains largely unchanged; however, Apple highlights internal improvements rather than a major visual redesign.
Headphones that are so much more than just headphones!
The new AirPods Max 2 have even better audio, even better ANC, and even better features like Adaptive Audio and Live Translation. pic.twitter.com/tXnOxPCLor
— Greg Joswiak (@gregjoz) March 16, 2026AirPods Max 2 Features and Price Compared With First Gen
The biggest hardware change is the move to USB-C, which now enables lossless audio on AirPods Max when connected with a cable. Apple said in an earlier official update that lossless and ultra-low-latency audio would be added to AirPods Max, giving the headphones greater appeal for listeners who want higher-fidelity sound.
Apple’s comparison page also shows that the updated AirPods Max adds:
- H2 chip
- Adaptive Audio
- Conversation Awareness
- Voice Isolation
- Personalised Volume
- Live Translation
- Camera remote control via the controls interface
Battery life remains listed at up to 20 hours, so this is not one of the headline changes.
Audio upgrades and AI features
Apple says the updated model supports lossless audio via USB-C, which is one of the most notable changes for creators and audio-focused users. That gives the headphones a clearer technical edge over the original version, which did not offer the same wired lossless support.
Another standout addition is Live Translation, which Apple lists on its AirPods comparison page. The feature is linked to Apple’s newer software ecosystem and expands the headphones’ use beyond music and calls.
Apple also lists Voice Isolation for clearer calls, alongside the other adaptive listening tools. Together, those features show Apple focusing on software-led improvements rather than changing the headphones’ outward appearance.
Price and availability
Apple’s official US store lists AirPods Max at $549. The product page also confirms the current model includes USB-C and continues to sit at the premium end of Apple’s audio lineup.
The orders begin on March 25 in more than 30 countries, with retail availability starting early next month. Apple’s currently indexed product pages confirm the price and feature set, though the exact launch phrasing isn’t mirrored on the official pages surfaced here.
