AirPods Max 2, similar but so much better…

After an initial update in 2024 (notably including the integration of USB-C and lossless audio, see our news article "AirPods Max USB-C: Lossless Quality and Ultra-Low Latency Finally Here"), Apple's AirPods Max headphones, launched in 2020, have finally received a second version, recently released without fanfare. AirPods Max 2: Internal Evolution Rather Than Design. While the elegant external design remains unchanged, the update is primarily internal, notably with the integration of the H2 chip, which improves many aspects of the device and adds new features. For example, Adaptive Audio automatically adjusts transparency and noise cancellation (ANC) levels based on the environment. Regarding ANC, Apple presents it as 1.5x more effective than the previous generation. AirPods Max 2: Apple Intelligence, Bluetooth 5.3 and Lossless Audio via USB-C. Other new features include conversation detection, which automatically reduces music and ambient noise, and live translation, which leverages Apple Intelligence. The headphones also upgrade to Bluetooth 5.3 (from 5.0), for reduced latency. The USB-C port is still present, notably allowing for listening to 48 kHz/24-bit lossless content. AirPods Max 2: Battery life remains unchanged, but photo control via the Digital Crown. Battery life remains unchanged at 20 hours of use with ANC, and among the new features is a remote control function for the iPhone camera via the Digital Crown. Otherwise, there's still no power button; the AirPods Max 2 enter an ultra-low power mode when stored in their included case. Available from March 25. Suggested retail price: €579.