Overview
- Apple’s second‑generation over‑ear headphones adopt the H2 chip and add Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness, improved Voice Isolation, and Apple Intelligence–powered Live Translation.
- Apple claims up to 1.5× stronger active noise cancellation and more natural Transparency, alongside a new high dynamic range amplifier and updated signal processing.
- Hardware fundamentals remain unchanged with the same build, Smart Case, and up to 20 hours of battery life, while Bluetooth advances to 5.3 and the Digital Crown gains a Camera Remote function.
- Preorders open March 25 in the U.S. and more than 30 countries with availability slated for early April, and Apple’s iOS 26.4 release includes support for the new model.
- Retailers have dropped the prior USB‑C AirPods Max to roughly $449–$450 after the announcement, sharpening the value gap with the $549 successor as independent tests of Apple’s ANC claims are still pending.