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PRESS RELEASE March 16, 2026
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA Apple today announced AirPods Max 2, bringing even better Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), elevated sound quality, and intelligent features to the iconic over-ear design. Powered by H2, features like Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness, Voice Isolation, and Live Translation come to AirPods Max for the first time. The new AirPods Max also unlock creative possibilities for podcasters, musicians, and content creators, with useful features like studio-quality audio recording and camera remote.

Active Noise Cancellation Gets Even Better

Intelligent Features Come to AirPods Max

  • Adaptive Audio adjusts the levels of ANC and Transparency in response to the environment automatically to optimize the audio experience.2
  • Conversation Awareness helps lower content volume and reduce background noise when a user starts speaking to someone nearby.2
  • Live Translation, powered by Apple Intelligence,3 helps users communicate across languages in person.4
  • Voice Isolation uses advanced computational audio powered by H2 to prioritize the voice during calls, while blocking out ambient noise.2
  • With 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.5
  • 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.2
  • Siri Interactions allow users to conveniently and privately respond to Siri announcements by simply nodding their head yes or gently shaking their head no.

AirPods Max 2 and the Environment

  • Customers in the U.S. and more than 30 other countries and regions can order AirPods Max 2 starting Wednesday, March 25, on apple.com/store and in the Apple Store app. They will arrive to customers, and will be in Apple Store locations, beginning early next month.
  • AirPods Max 2 start at $549 (U.S.).
  • AppleCare delivers exceptional service and support, with flexible options for Apple users. Customers can choose AppleCare+ to cover their new headphones, or in the U.S., AppleCare One to protect multiple products in one simple plan. Both plans include coverage for accidents like drops and spills, theft and loss protection on eligible products, battery replacement service, and 24/7 support from Apple Experts. For more information, visit apple.com/applecare.
  • New subscribers may get Apple Music free for three months with the purchase of AirPods Max 2. See apple.com/promo for details.
  • Live Translation may not be available in all regions or languages. For feature and language availability and system requirements, visit support.apple.com/en-us/121115.

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  1. AirPods Max users can create and mix in Personalized Spatial Audio when using Logic Pro for Mac. iPhone with TrueDepth camera is required to create a personal profile for Spatial Audio, which will sync across Apple devices running the latest operating system software, including iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and tvOS.
  2. Available on AirPods Max 2 with the latest firmware when paired with compatible devices with the latest operating system software.
  3. Apple Intelligence is available in beta with support for these languages: English, Danish, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish, Vietnamese, Chinese (simplified), Chinese (traditional), Japanese, and Korean. Some features may not be available in all regions or languages. For feature and language availability and system requirements, see support.apple.com/en-us/121115.
  4. Live Translation with AirPods works on AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation, AirPods Pro 2 and later, and AirPods Max 2 with the latest firmware when paired with an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone running iOS 26 and later. Supports Chinese (simplified), Chinese (traditional), English (UK, U.S.), French (France), German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazil), and Spanish (Spain). Some features may not be available in all regions or languages. For more information, see Feature Availability.
  5. Studio-quality audio recording may not be available in all regions, and availability may vary due to local laws and regulations.
  6. Breakdown of U.S. retail packaging by weight. Adhesives, inks, and coatings are excluded from calculations.