Apple AirPods Max 2 vs AirPods Max: What do you get after waiting five years

Apple has finally launched the AirPods Max 2, a proper successor to the original AirPods Max that arrived back in December 2020. Priced at Rs 67,900, the new over-ear headphones pack the H2 chip, better noise cancellation, and a stack of smart features that were exclusive to the AirPods Pro lineup until now.

Pre-orders open March 25, with shipments expected in early April.

The H2 chip brings the AirPods Max up to speed

The single biggest upgrade is the move from the H1 to the H2 chip. This unlocks features like Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness, Voice Isolation, and Live Translation—all of which the original AirPods Max simply couldn't support. You also get Siri head gesture controls and a camera remote function through the Digital Crown, which lets you snap photos or start recordings from a distance.

Active noise cancellation gets a measurable bump

Apple says the AirPods Max 2 deliver ANC that's up to 1.5x more effective than the original, courtesy of the H2 and new computational audio algorithms. Transparency mode has also been reworked with a fresh digital signal processing algorithm that makes ambient sound feel more natural.

Lossless audio finally arrives over USB-C

The new model supports 24-bit, 48kHz lossless audio when plugged in via the included USB-C cable. A new high dynamic range amplifier promises cleaner output, and Apple claims improved Spatial Audio with better instrument separation and tighter bass.

Battery life stays at 20 hours.

Same design, same colours, higher price tag

On the outside, not much has changed. The AirPods Max 2 retain the same over-ear form factor with the knit mesh headband and come in midnight, starlight, orange, purple, and blue. The Rs 8,000 price bump over the original's Rs 59,900 launch price is essentially the cost of the H2 chip and everything it enables.

Here's a quick comparison between AirPods Max 2 and AirPods Max