Apple launches AirPods Max 2 at $549 with live translation

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Published Monday, March 16, 2026 · 1:02 PM EDT

Apple launched AirPods Max 2 at $549, featuring the H2 chip, 1.5x improved active noise cancellation, and real-time language translation, TechCrunch reported. The update is the first revision to Apple's over-ear headphones since the original 2020 launch. The H2 chip enables computational audio features including adaptive transparency and personalized spatial audio. The live translation feature works with Apple's on-device language models and supports conversations in over 20 languages.

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