Apple's AirPods Max 2 headphones are now available for pre-order with delivery beginning April 1. The upgraded over-ear headphones feature Apple's H2 chip, the same processor found in AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods 4, delivering enhanced active noise cancellation, improved sound quality, and features like Adaptive Audio mode and Live Translation.

Unlike the original Lightning-equipped model, AirPods Max 2 includes a USB-C port for charging and wired connectivity, matching the standard introduced with iPhone 15. The headphones maintain the same $549 price as their predecessor while offering five color options: midnight, starlight, orange, purple, and blue. Customers can add free custom engraving and purchase AppleCare+ for $2.99 monthly or $29.99 annually.

This launch completes Apple's trio of recent audio announcements, following new AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 3 releases. The H2 chip upgrade represents the most significant improvement, enabling advanced audio processing and smarter noise cancellation. While USB-C AirPods Max hardware remains available at a $100 discount, buyers will miss out on these latest software features powered by the H2 processor.