AirPods Max 2 vs AirPods Max: Here’s everything new

Today Apple unveiled the long-awaited AirPods Max 2. Here’s a comparison of all the differences between AirPods Max 2 and the previous AirPods Max models with both USB-C and Lightning.

H2 vs H1: More than just a ‘chip bump’

AirPods Max 2 and the previous AirPods Max are identical in a lot of ways. They have the same design, weigh the same, offer the same 20 hours of battery life, the same Smart Case, and Apple has even reused the same colors as the USB-C model for AirPods Max 2.

But there’s one major internal change that unlocks a vastly improved experience overall.

AirPods Max 2 have the H2 chip, whereas previous AirPods Max models use H1.

In an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, a more powerful chip typically just means your device runs faster.

But with AirPods Max 2, the H2 unlocks a lot of improvement: better audio quality when paired with a new amplifier, upgraded features like ANC and Transparency mode, and a lengthy list of features that are brand new to AirPods Max.

Note: The previous AirPods Max with USB-C and the original AirPods Max with Lightning are virtually identical apart from the port. So unless otherwise stated, all AirPods Max 2 comparisons below are applicable to both the old USB-C and Lightning models.

AirPods Max 2 audio experience: New amplifier, better ANC and Transparency

Audio quality is the most important feature for headphones, but it can also be hard to measure. In Apple’s press release, for example, it says AirPods Max 2 have “elevated sound quality.” But what does that mean?

Here are the details Apple shares about improved audio quality in AirPods Max 2:

AirPods Max 2 feature a new high dynamic range amplifier for even cleaner audio while maintaining the incredible sound signature of AirPods Max. Spatial Audio content sounds better than ever, with improved localization of instruments, more accurate and consistent bass response, and more natural-sounding mids and highs.

Active Noice Cancellation (ANC) and Transparency mode gain improvements that are a little easier to understand.

For ANC, Apple says AirPods Max 2 offer “up to 1.5x more Active Noise Cancellation” than previous AirPods Max models. That alone could be the biggest selling point for a lot of potential upgraders.

As for Transparency mode, Apple says it sounds even more natural on AirPods Max 2 thanks to “a new digital signal processing algorithm optimized for H2.”

New H2 features only available with AirPods Max 2

For years, Apple has been steadily adding new features to AirPods Pro and AirPods models that include the H2 chip. But AirPods Max always missed out on those upgrades since they were limited to the H1.

Now with the H2 chip, AirPods Max 2 unlock a host of brand new features that aren’t available on previous AirPods Max models.

For example, you can say just “Siri” on AirPods Max 2 to invoke the assistant. With the original AirPods Max, you have to say “Hey Siri.”

Here’s the full list of other new features, via Apple’s press release:

• Adaptive Audio: Adjusts the levels of ANC and Transparency in response to the environment automatically to optimize the audio experience.
• Conversation Awareness: Helps lower content volume and reduce background noise when a user starts speaking to someone nearby.
• Live Translation: Powered by Apple Intelligence, helps users communicate across languages in person.
• Voice Isolation: Uses advanced computational audio powered by H2 to prioritize the voice during calls, while blocking out ambient noise.
• Camera remote: Users can capture content at a distance by pressing the Digital Crown to take a photo and start or stop video recording while using the Camera app or compatible third-party camera apps on iPhone or iPad.
• Studio-quality audio recording: Allows interviewers, podcasters, singers, and other creators to record their content with higher-quality audio and more natural vocal texture.
• Loud Sound Reduction: Helps users prevent exposure to loud environmental noise while preserving the sound signature of what they’re listening to.
• Personalized Volume: Automatically fine-tunes the listening experience for users based on their preferences over time.
• Siri Interactions: Allow users to conveniently and privately respond to Siri announcements by simply nodding their head yes or gently shaking their head no.

If you’ve used AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2, or AirPods 4 with ANC, these features will be familiar to you. But they’ve never been available on AirPods Max until the new model.

AirPods Max 2 vs AirPods Max: smaller details and wrap-up

To wrap up, there are a couple other small differences worth noting:

• If you’re upgrading from the original AirPods Max with Lightning, AirPods Max 2 will also provide USB-C for the first time and support for 24-bit, 48 kHz lossless audio over a wired USB-C connection.
• AirPods Max 2 support Bluetooth 5.3, whereas the previous AirPods Max are limited to Bluetooth 5.0.

Overall, AirPods Max 2 offer a variety of exciting upgrades over their predecessors—both the original Lightning model and the USB-C version.

With better audio quality, ANC, and Transparency, and support for features like Adaptive Audio, Live Translation, Siri Interactions, saying just “Siri,” and more—there’s a lot that might motivate an upgrade.

Will you upgrade to AirPods Max 2? If so, are you currently using the Lightning or USB-C model? Let us know in the comments.

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