Compare AirPods Max 2 and AirPods Max, see the differences between the old and new models at once

last night Apple Officially launched new AirPods Max 2 , bringing important upgrades to this flagship over-ear headset that have not been seen for many years. Although the exterior design has hardly changed, and the weight and overall shape have remained familiar, the core technology inside has undergone key evolutions.
The biggest highlight this time comes from the new H2 chip, which not only greatly improves active noise reduction capabilities, but also brings a more intelligent listening experience. From adaptive audio, dialogue awareness, to real-time translation functions combined with Apple Intelligence, the role of headphones is no longer just for playing music, but a smart device that is closer to daily life. For those who want to upgrade or are ready to buy, the difference between AirPods Max 2 and the old model has become the biggest concern of many people.

▲Picture source:Apple

Compare AirPods Max 2 and AirPods Max, see the differences between the old and new models at once

Apple has finally launched its new generation of flagship over-ear headphones, the AirPods Max 2 . If you see it at first glance, many people may think that there is not much change, because the appearance design is almost the same as the previous generation, and the body size, weight and even color matching continue to be the 2024 USB-C version AirPods Max’s design language.

▲Picture source:Apple

But the focus of this update is not actually the appearance, but the computing power hidden inside the headphones. The biggest upgrade of AirPods Max 2 is the change from the original H1 chip to the H2 chip. This chip is currently the most powerful audio processing core in the AirPods series. It allows the headphones to more accurately analyze environmental sounds, adjust audio output, and also enables many smart functions.
In other words, the changes to AirPods Max 2 are not just a hardware upgrade, but make the overall listening experience smarter.

The biggest change brought by the H2 chip: active noise reduction improved by 1.5 times

The strength of AirPods Max has always been its noise reduction capability, and this time through the H2 chip, the noise reduction performance has been improved again. Official data shows that the active noise reduction capability of AirPods Max 2 is about 1.5 times higher than that of the previous generation. This means that the earphones can more effectively filter out the sound of airplane engines, low-frequency noise from the MRT, or background sounds in the office.

▲Picture source:Apple

This improvement is actually very practical for users who often fly, commute, or need to focus on work for long periods of time. When ambient sounds are more completely isolated, musical details and the sense of space will become clearer.

Adaptive message and conversation awareness

AirPods Max 2 also adds an “adaptive audio” function. This technology automatically adjusts the ratio of noise reduction and transparency modes based on the surrounding environment.

▲Picture source:Apple

For example, in a quiet environment, the headphones will maintain a high noise reduction intensity. But when there are sudden human voices or traffic sounds around, the headphones will moderately amplify the external sounds so that the user is not completely isolated from the environment.
Another very useful function is “Conversation Sense”. When the user starts to speak, the headset will automatically reduce the music volume and strengthen the other party’s voice. This eliminates the need to remove the headphones or manually adjust the mode when chatting in a coffee shop or office. This feature has actually appeared as early as AirPods Pro 2, and now it has finally come to the over-ear series.

Apple Intelligence Instant Translation

Another feature of AirPods Max 2 that has attracted attention is instant translation combined with Apple Intelligence. When communicating with foreigners face-to-face, headphones can instantly help understand the conversation and make language communication more intuitive. Although this feature still needs to work with an iPhone and the Apple Intelligence system, it does make the positioning of headphones no longer just for listening to music. In the future, headphones may become translation tools in daily life, or even smart assistants.

Not just listening to music, the operating experience is also smarter

In addition to audio capabilities, AirPods Max 2 also adds some interesting changes in the operation method, that is, the digital knob can be used as a camera shutter.

▲Picture source:Apple

The digital knob of AirPods Max has always been the core of the operation. Now with AirPods Max 2, it has a new purpose. Users can directly trigger the iPhone’s camera shutter or start recording by pressing a digital knob. This turns the headset into a remote remote control instantly. This function is actually quite convenient when taking selfies or group photos. As long as you put your phone up, you can easily take pictures.

Nod and shake your head to control Siri

Another new feature is head interactive control. When Siri notifies you of an incoming call or message, you don’t have to answer. A simple nod indicates acceptance, while a shake of the head indicates rejection. When used on the MRT or in public places, this way of interaction appears more natural and avoids the awkward situation of speaking into the air.

▲Picture source:Apple

Sound quality and recording capabilities are simultaneously upgraded

The sound quality of AirPods Max 2 has also been improved, with Apple adding a new high dynamic range expander and updated digital signal processing technology. This makes the positioning of spatial audio more accurate, the bass more stable and powerful, and the connection between mids and highs more natural.
In addition, AirPods Max 2 also improves the recording quality. New recording capabilities make the sound clearer and more natural, maintaining stable quality even when recording via wireless connections.
This is a practical improvement for podcasters, creators, or anyone who needs to confer remotely.

Are AirPods Max 2 worth upgrading?

If you’re still using the 2020 Lightning version of AirPods Max, upgrading to AirPods Max 2 will actually make a very noticeable difference. Not only does it switch to a USB-C interface, but its noise reduction capabilities, connection stability, and smart functions will also be significantly improved.
But if you are using the 2024 USB-C version of AirPods Max, the upgrade experience will depend on personal needs. If you often work in noisy environments, or rely heavily on conversational awareness and smart features, it’s still worthwhile to upgrade. If you just listen to music on a daily basis, the basic experience of the two is still quite close.

Conclusion

With the emergence of AirPods Max 2, Apple’s over-ear headphones finally received a real core update. Although the appearance has not changed significantly, the computing power brought by the H2 chip has indeed improved the overall experience.
From stronger active noise reduction, intelligent environmental perception, to instant translation functions combined with Apple Intelligence, they all show that headphones will not only be a tool for listening to music in the future, but will gradually become a smart device in daily life.
The recommended price of AirPods Max 2 in Taiwan is 17,990 yuan, and the launch time is still to be announced by Apple. After the official launch in the future, new users will also be able to get a 3-month free trial of Apple Music.
For those who are considering buying AirPods Max, choosing the latest generation directly will be a longer-term choice.

Further reading:

AirPods Max 2 登場！H2 晶片加持降噪升級 1.5 倍，還支援即時翻譯

Source: KOCPC Chinese