AirPods Max 2 review: Apple’s new wireless | Tech News

Apple has had a busy begin to 2026. The tech giant has already launched spectacular new merchandise, together with the more wallet-friendly iPhone 17e, quicker M5-powered iPad Air and a £599 laptop computer known as the MacBook Neo. But the US technology giant is not stopping there.

There’s now a massive refresh to its AirPods Max over-ear headphones that sounds fairly spectacular. Although issues look equivalent on the skin, there’s loads of upgrades occurring inside, because of the newest H2 chip being popped underneath the colorful aluminium earcups.

This increase guarantees to carry a swathe of sensible options to the Max, together with Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness and Live Translation for these instances whenever you head overseas and do not perceive the native lingo.

So, are they any good and do you have to actually splash out a whopping £499 to own a pair?

I’ve been making an attempt out these new premium cans forward of their official release subsequent month, and there is no query that the Max are one other really great pair of headphones.

Thanks to a new high-dynamic vary amplifier and improved Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), you get an even higher audio expertise than the earlier AirPods Max, which had been refreshed in 2024. Those had been already considered some of the best music makers within the business, however the Max 2 takes issues up to 11.

Out of the box, they take seconds to set up because of Apple’s fast pairing technology, and as soon as seamlessly linked to my iPhone, the sound expertise is totally faultless.

All of my playlists and totally different genres of music have been loved in super-rich element, final readability and with loads of bass. The Max 2 are complete pleasure and simply nearly as good as different top-rated headphones – equivalent to Bowers & Wilkins Px8 – I’ve examined over the previous 12 months.

Thanks to the H2 chip, the upgraded ANC now blocks out more background noise than earlier than. That’s very important for anybody who desires to listen to music on trains, planes or in bustling cafes with out the din of life getting in the best way.

Putting the outdated Max and new Max 2 to a background noise check, there’s no query that Apple has improved issues with the newest headphones doing a significantly better job of slicing out sounds you do not need to hear.

For these wanting the last word listening expertise, AirPods Max 2 additionally assist 24-bit, 48kHz lossless audio by way of USB-C, so you possibly can hear music the best way artists supposed. Another audio bonus is the extra bandwidth of H2. This permits the next-generation Adaptive EQ algorithm, which more precisely optimises the listening expertise and adapts settings for various head and ear shapes.

Of course, the new Max 2 additionally get Apple’s sensible Spatial Audio tech with dynamic head monitoring. This makes listening to music, watching motion pictures and taking part in video games really feel far more immersive with sound hitting ears from all instructions.

This replace is not nearly audio high quality because it additionally provides a swathe of helpful upgrades to Apple’s premium over-ear cans. Firstly, there’s Voice Isolation, which positively helps when making calls because it’s in a position to improve your voice while considerably decreasing background noise.

Personalised Volume learns your listening preferences over time and mechanically adjusts the media quantity to go well with each personal tastes and the atmosphere.

Another bonus is Live Translation, powered by Apple Intelligence, which now involves AirPods Max.

Finally, you should use the Digital Crown on the aluminium case to snap pictures or video by way of the Camera Remote operate.

Talking of that Digital Crown, I’m nonetheless a massive fan of this tactile dial because it gives a a lot simpler method to control the amount with out annoying contact controls discovered on some rival headphones.

The AirPods Max 2 are wonderful, however I do have some niggles.

There’s no design change in 2026 – even the colors keep the identical because the 2024 refresh that added USB-C charging.

Clearly, if it ain’t broke, do not repair it, and there is nothing incorrect with the best way they give the impression of being. The Max 2 are additionally supremely comfy and really feel tremendous premium in your head. That stated, it might have been good to see some refined adjustments, new colors or a refresh that separates the outdated from the new.

Another concern is that Apple hasn’t modified the much-criticised “handbag” case, which gives little safety when shoving them in a backpack.

Every new pair of cans I’ve just lately tried include a laborious case that covers the entire product. It’s a unusual determination to not change that smary case. The solely bonus is a intelligent ultra-low energy mode which preserves battery life for months as soon as the headphones are popped inside.

Finally, there’s the price. The AirPods Max 2 value £499. It’s a lot of money particularly when there are such a lot of rivals that offer top-notch audio at a decrease value.

For instance, you possibly can grab the Bowers and Wilkins Px7 or Sony’s WH-100XM6 for £329 – that is over £150 much less.

So, do you have to buy them?

I’ve beloved each minute of utilizing the new AirPods Max 2 and that is one other sensible replace from Apple. They sound great, the ANC is unimaginable, and the intelligent upgrades – equivalent to Live Translation and Conversation Awareness – are genuinely helpful.

Just remember that they do not look any totally different from earlier than, and there are lots of cheaper choices accessible.