AirPods Max 2 — premiere, price, and specifications of the new Apple headphones

AirPods Max 2 are new Apple over-ear headphones with the H2 chip, offering 1.5x better active noise cancellation than the previous generation. The price in Poland is 2499 zł, orders start on March 25, 2026, and deliveries will begin in early April.

Four years of waiting and the same price — sounds like good news. But has Apple changed enough to justify upgrading from the old Maxes? We check what exactly you get for that 2499 zł.

Technical specifications of AirPods Max 2

ParametrAirPods Max (1. gen)AirPods Max 2
ChipApple H1Apple H2
Bluetooth5.05.3
ANCStandardowy1,5x lepszy
Audio bezstratne24-bit / 48 kHz (USB-C)
Tryb przezroczystościTakUlepszony
Adaptive Audio
Wykrywanie rozmów
Izolacja głosu
Tłumaczenie na żywo
Spersonalizowana głośność
Czas pracy bateriido 20 hdo 20 h
ZłączeLightning / USB-CUSB-C
Waga384,8 g386,2 g
Kolory55 (nowa paleta)
Cena w Polsce2499 zł (USB-C)2499 zł

Chip H2 — serce nowych AirPods Max 2

Największa zmiana kryje się pod aluminiową obudową. Nowe Apple AirPods Max korzystają z chipa H2 (tego samego, który zadebiutował w AirPods Pro 2), a ulepszenia dotyczą trzech kluczowych obszarów:

  • Lepsza redukcja hałasu — nowe algorytmy obliczeniowe analizują dźwięk otoczenia do 48 000 razy na sekundę, co przekłada się na 1,5x skuteczniejsze ANC niż w pierwszej generacji
  • Lower wireless latency — Bluetooth 5.3 reduces audio lag, which gamers and movie lovers will appreciate
  • Lossless audio support — via USB-C cable, you can listen to music in 24-bit / 48 kHz quality (Apple Lossless)

The H2 chip also supports personalized spatial audio with dynamic head tracking — the effect is closest to what you know from the cinema. The result? On paper, it’s the same amplifier with a wide dynamic range, but in practice, the bass sounds fuller, and individual instruments are easier to extract from the mix. The difference is most noticeable in orchestral music and well-produced recordings on Apple Music — with a pop playlist, you might not notice it.

You can find the full range of Apple over-ear headphones at homescreen.pl.


New smart features

The new Apple AirPods Max take over features known from AirPods Pro 3, which were previously unavailable in the over-ear version.

Adaptive Audio is a feature that makes you stop thinking about headphone modes. Are you entering a café? The headphones automatically let in the voices around you. Are you getting on a train? ANC kicks in at full power. Conversation Awareness works similarly — when you start speaking, the music quiets down, and the voice of the person you’re talking to is amplified. You don’t have to take off your headphones to order a coffee.

Voice Isolation does the same but in the opposite direction — during a phone call, your conversation partner hears only you, even if you are calling from a busy street. All three features work without any configuration.

Live Translation requires an iPhone with iOS 26 and Apple Intelligence — so for now, it only works on iPhone 16 and newer. The headphones translate the conversation in real-time, displaying subtitles on the phone screen. It sounds futuristic, but in practice, it’s more of a help in simple conversations than a substitute for a translator. A dozen languages are supported, including Polish.

Personalized Volume learns your preferences and automatically adjusts the volume level to the surroundings — Marek, who commutes by subway to work every day and then sits in an open space, will appreciate this feature the most.


Price of AirPods Max 2 in Poland

Apple AirPods Max 2 cost in Poland 2499 zł — exactly the same as the USB-C version of the original AirPods Max. This is an amount that clearly positions them in the premium segment.

For comparison:

ModelPrice in PolandType
AirPods 4approx. 549 złIn-ear, open
AirPods Pro 3approx. 1099 złIn-ear, ANC
AirPods Max 22499 złOver-ear, ANC
Sony WH-1000XM5approx. 1299 złOver-ear, ANC
Bose QuietComfort Ultraapprox. 1699 złOver-ear, ANC

2499 zł for wireless headphones is a lot — almost twice as much as the Sony WH-1000XM5, which regularly compete head-to-head with the Max in blind sound tests. What are you paying extra for? Primarily for integration with the Apple ecosystem: automatic switching between iPhone, iPad, and Mac works so smoothly that after a week you’ll forget you ever manually switched devices. Features like live translation are an additional argument, but — let’s be honest — for most users, it’s a curiosity, not a reason to buy.


Design and materials — what has changed?

Short answer: almost nothing. If you placed AirPods Max 1 vs 2 side by side, the only visible difference would be the color. Apple has not changed the shape, weight (386 g — they are still among the heaviest popular over-ear headphones), or construction:

  • Aluminum ear cups with independent rotation provide a perfect fit
  • Mesh headband distributes pressure evenly across the top of the head
  • Memory foam ear cushions — comfortable even during long hours of wear
  • Digital Crown is used to adjust volume and control playback
  • Listening mode button — a new element replacing the noise control button

What is new is the color palette. Instead of Space Gray, Silver, Sky Blue, Pink, and Green, we get: Midnight, Moonlight, Blue, Purple, and Orange. The particularly bold choice is the orange variant, which stands out against Apple’s typically muted offerings.


AirPods Max 2 vs AirPods Max — is the upgrade worth it?

If you have the original AirPods Max with the H1 chip, upgrading to the second generation makes sense in three cases:

  1. You care about better ANC — 1.5x more effective noise cancellation is a noticeable difference, especially in public transport and open spaces
  2. You want Adaptive Audio and Conversation Awareness — smart features that automate mode switching are a real convenience in daily use
  3. You need live translation — if you travel or work in an international environment, Live Translation can be a game-changer

However, if your current AirPods Max are working flawlessly and you mainly listen to music at home — don’t replace them. The sound quality has improved, but not enough for you to notice a difference during everyday listening on Spotify. It’s better to wait for the third generation.

Advice: If you have AirPods Max with Lightning, the upgrade makes extra sense — you gain USB-C, which simplifies the cable setup and adds lossless audio.

For everyday charging, any USB-C charger will suffice — and the full range of all AirPods models and headphones can be found at homescreen.pl.


Ecology — Apple moves forward

Apple emphasizes sustainability in AirPods Max 2:

  • 100% recycled rare earth metals in magnets
  • 100% recycled polyester in ear cushions
  • 100% recycled gold and tin in circuit boards
  • Packaging made entirely from paper from natural fibers

This is a continuation of the Apple Carbon Neutral 2030 strategy, which encompasses an increasing number of product categories. You can find the full specifications of AirPods Max 2 on the official Apple website.


Summary — who are the AirPods Max 2 for?

AirPods Max 2 is an evolution, not a revolution. Apple has put a new chip into an old casing and you get genuinely better ANC, smart features from AirPods Pro 3, and lossless audio via USB-C. But you don’t get a new design, longer battery life, or a lower price. These are the best over-ear headphones from Apple that you can buy today.

Worth buying if:
– You use multiple Apple devices and value seamless integration
– You’re looking for top-tier ANC for working in noisy environments
– You want live translation features or Adaptive Audio

Consider alternatives if:
– You don’t need the Apple ecosystem — Sony WH-1000XM5 or Bose QC Ultra offer comparable ANC at a lower price. Compare over-ear headphones with ANC at homescreen.pl
– You prefer in-ear — AirPods Pro 3 have the same H2 chip for less than half the price

Our choice: AirPods Max 2 in Northern color — classic, versatile, and you won’t get bored with it after a year.

W sklepie homescreen.pl znajdziesz etui dopasowane do różnych generacji i modeli AirPods – od klasycznych modeli (1., 2. i 3. generacji), przez nowsze AirPods 4, aż po modele AirPods Pro 2 czy AirPods Pro 3. Dzięki temu bez problemu wybierzesz ochronne etui idealnie dopasowane do Twoich słuchawek, niezależnie od tego, jaką generację lub wariant posiadasz

Sprawdź wszystkie akcesoria do AirPods w homescreen.pl →


FAQ — najczęściej zadawane pytania

Kiedy premiera AirPods Max 2 w Polsce?

Zamówienia na nowe słuchawki startują 25 marca 2026, a pierwsze dostawy w Polsce ruszą na początku kwietnia 2026. Będą dostępne w autoryzowanych sklepach Apple oraz u partnerów handlowych.

How much do AirPods Max 2 cost in Poland?

The price of the second generation in Poland is 2499 PLN — the same as the USB-C version of the previous model. In the USA, the price is 549 dollars.

What are the differences between AirPods Max 2 and the first generation?

The main differences are the H2 chip instead of H1, 1.5x better noise cancellation, Bluetooth 5.3, lossless audio via USB-C, and new features: Adaptive Audio, Conversation Detection, Voice Isolation, and Live Translation. The design and battery (20 h) remain unchanged.

Do AirPods Max 2 have USB-C?

Yes, the second generation uses only the USB-C port for charging and wired listening to lossless music (24-bit / 48 kHz).

What colors are available for AirPods Max 2?

The new model is available in five colors: Midnight (black), Lunar Glow (gold), Blue, Purple, and Orange. This is a completely new palette compared to the first generation.

Is it worth buying AirPods Max 2 instead of Sony WH-1000XM5?

The second generation Apple Max headphones are a better choice for users of the Apple ecosystem due to automatic switching between devices and smart features. Sony WH-1000XM5 offers comparable ANC at a lower price (around 1299 PLN) and works better with Android devices.

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