GoKawiilBack in the fall of 2024, Apple transitioned its original AirPods Max headphones from Lightning to USB-C connectivity. Many people, including me, were surprised that Apple didn't offer a more significant upgrade, such as swapping the H1 chip for the newer, more powerful H2 chip and improving the headphones' overall performance and feature set. At that time, the Max were almost 4 years old and the AirPods Pro 2 were already using the H2. So it seemed like a logical move. But Apple had other plans.
Which brings us to the AirPods Max 2. Announced out of the blue shortly after Apple released its budget-friendly MacBook Neo ($599) to great fanfare, they're essentially the Max upgrade I was hoping for 18 months ago. Priced at $549, the same as the original, they look identical to their predecessor but now include a new "dynamic range" amplifier and the aforementioned H2 chip, which adds a host of features already available in the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods 4 and helps improve the headphones' performance in a few key ways.
Understandably, some folks may be disappointed that Apple hasn't ushered in even more changes with the Max 2, particularly on the design front. While the upgrades may seem perfunctory, they turn out to be more significant than I expected. In my tests, I found the noise-canceling performance noticeably improved and the sound quality, already quite good, has been leveled up slightly. On top of that, the H2 chip adds some useful features and helps enhance the voice-calling performance and transparency mode.
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The AirPods Max 2 come in the same colors as the AirPods Max USB-C, pictured at left in blue. David Carnoy/CNET
What's the same between the AirPods Max and Max 2
Design : The Max 2 have the same design and dimensions as the Max. They both weigh 13.6 ounces (or 386.2 grams).
: The Max 2 have the same design and dimensions as the Max. They both weigh 13.6 ounces (or 386.2 grams). Case : They come with the same protective smart case that not everybody loves, due to its purse-like aesthetic.
: They come with the same protective smart case that not everybody loves, due to its purse-like aesthetic. Color options : They're available in the same five color options (blue, purple, midnight, starlight, orange).
: They're available in the same five color options (blue, purple, midnight, starlight, orange). Battery life : They're rated at up to 20 hours with noise canceling for both models.
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