Technologies

AirPods Max 2 vs. AirPods Max: Is the Overdue Upgrade Worth It?

After a long wait, Apple has unveiled the AirPods Max 2. Here’s my full skinny on all the performance and feature upgrades the new model offers.

Apple’s AirPods Max 2 will be available to order starting March 25 in midnight, starlight, orange, purple and blue, and begin shipping in early April. Announced out of the blue on March 16, the new over-ear AirPods were greeted with mixed reactions on social-media platforms, with some pundits excited to see them finally getting a meaningful upgrade after several years. Others lamented that they cost $549 when Apple’s new Macbook Neo — a full-fledged laptop — could be had for as little as $500 with Apple’s education-pricing discounts.

The AirPods Max’s high price was a source of contention when the original model launched in 2020, but that didn’t stop people from buying them and helped set a new benchmark for pricing for premium noise-canceling headphones (top models from Bose, Sony and Bowers & Wilkins have all received price hikes in recent years). The list price for the AirPods Max 2 hasn’t changed from the original, and neither has the design. But the new headphones are now powered by Apple’s H2 chip rather than the H1, which brings the Max up to date with other AirPods models, including the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods 4.

Read more: Best Headphones of 2026

That appears to be the biggest difference between the Max 2 and the Max 1, which was updated with USB-C connectivity in September 2024 and USB-C audio in 2025 (with a firmware update). But it’s a big difference, as the more powerful H2 chip brings a host of new features and some performance upgrades. And there are also a few other small but notable upgrades. Let’s have a look at just what all those are.

What are the AirPods Max 2 performance upgrades?

Better active noise canceling (ANC): Apple says the Max 2 offers 1.5x more effective noise canceling. Interestingly, that jump isn’t as big as the jumps in noise-canceling performance that the AirPods Pro made when moving from the original AirPods Pro to the AirPods Pro 2 (2x better) to the AirPods Pro 3 (also 2x better or 4x better than the AirPods Pro’s noise canceling).
Cleaner sound: The Max 2 has a new «high-dynamic range amplifier for even cleaner audio,» according to Apple.
Improved spatial audio: Apple says that spatial audio content sounds «better than ever, with improved localization of instruments, more accurate and consistent bass response and more natural-sounding mids and highs.»
Even more natural transparency mode: Thanks to a new digital signal processing algorithm optimized for H2 and the microphone array on AirPods Max, Apple says the Max 2’s transparency mode (which allows you to hear the outside world) sounds even more natural.
Better voice-calling performance (maybe): While Apple didn’t mention anything about upgraded microphones, voice-calling performance should be slightly improved, thanks to more advanced computational audio (powered by the H2 chip) that better filters out background noise while homing in on your voice during calls. That said, this is something I’ll have to test. Apple’s Voice Isolation feature exists for the Max 1, but the H2 chip does provide more processing power.

What are the AirPods Max 2 feature upgrades?

The Max 2 now has most of the same features as Apple’s latest earbuds, including the following:

Adaptive Audio: Based on the noise levels in your environment, the Max 2 automatically adjusts the levels of ANC and transparency to optimize the audio experience.
Conversation Awareness: When you start speaking to someone, the volume of whatever you’re listening to is reduced, and the headphones enter transparency mode so you can have a conversation without taking the headphones off.
Studio-quality audio recording: Allows you to record content with higher-quality audio and a more natural vocal texture (Apple pitches this feature toward content creators).
Camera Remote: You can capture content at a distance by pressing the Digital Crown to take a photo and start or stop video recording while using the Camera app or compatible third-party camera apps on iPhone or iPad.
Live Translation: Allows for near real-time translations of what people are saying in another language.
Loud Sound Reduction: ANC automatically kicks in to prevent exposure to loud environmental noise while preserving the sound signature of what you’re listening to.
Personalized Volume: Your listening experience is automatically fine-tuned based on your preferences over time.
Siri interactions: You can respond to Siri announcements by simply nodding your head yes or shaking your head no.

What’s the same between the AirPods Max and Max 2

Design: The Max 2 has the same design and dimensions as the Max (they both weigh 13.6 ounces or 386.2 grams).
Case: It comes with the same protective smart case.
Color options: It’s available in the same five color options.
Battery life: It’s rated at up to 20 hours with noise canceling for both models.
USB-C audio: They both support 24-bit/48kHz lossless audio when connected with the included USB-C cable.
Low latency: Playing iOS, MacOS and iPadOS games in Game Mode reduces audio latency when using the Max and Max 2.

How much of an upgrade is the AirPods Max 2 compared to the AirPods Max?

You can criticize Apple for not doing an even more substantial AirPods Max 2 upgrade inside and out, with an updated design and perhaps new drivers. And some folks, like me, were hoping that the next AirPods Max would be the first AirPods to include its upcoming H3 chip, rumored to be in development.

All that said, it was getting a bit ridiculous that Apple’s pricey flagship over-ear headphones didn’t at least have the H2 chip, which first appeared in the AirPods Pro 2 in 2022. The addition of the H2 is certainly welcome and could make the headphones, which already sounded excellent and had very good noise-canceling, as much as 20% better when you factor in the performance and feature upgrades. But I’ll withhold my final verdict until I get my hands on the AirPods Max 2 and A/B test them against the original.

It will be interesting to see where pricing shakes out for the Max as it’s phased out. They currently cost $450 or $99 off their list price, but we could see that price drop even more. If you’re sold on getting the AirPods Max, the Max 2 are likely worth getting for the improvements. If you can’t afford the $549 price, I suspect that in the not-so-distant future, sites like Amazon will offer discounts that initially shave $30 off the Max 2’s price and gradually bring the price down closer to $500.

Technologies

Apple Reportedly Plans to Send Siri Engineers to AI Coding Bootcamp

The move comes just weeks before the company is expected to unveil a new Siri.

Apple plans to send dozens of Siri engineers to a multiweek AI coding bootcamp, The Information reported Wednesday. The move comes less than two months before the company is widely expected to unveil a new Siri experience as part of a broader AI reboot.

A group of fewer than 200 engineers will be sent to the bootcamp, leaving approximately 60 members of the core Siri development team behind to continue working on Siri, while another 60 will evaluate Siri’s performance, according to The Information. The outlet also reported that AI has grown in popularity in some Apple divisions, prompting some teams within the company to allocate large parts of their budgets to Claude Code.

Apple representatives didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Siri, once a pioneer, has lagged behind its rivals in voice assistants. Apple had planned to roll out a smarter, AI-driven Siri in 2025 as part of its Apple Intelligence initiative, but executives delayed the launch until spring 2026, admitting the early version wasn’t reliable enough to ship.

For Apple, the move would mark another attempt to reset expectations around its AI strategy after repeated delays to its more advanced Siri ambitions. The news also comes as John Giannandrea, Apple’s former AI chief, is reportedly leaving the company this week after stepping down from that role in December.

The new Siri experience is expected to be introduced at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference on June 8 and would arrive as part of iOS 27, iPadOS 27 and MacOS 27 later this year, according to a Bloomberg report in March. The report says Apple is testing out a new Siri that would make the assistant feel more like a standalone AI chatbot — think ChatGPT or Claude — rather than the current built-in tool.

Technologies

Google Will Pay $135M to Android Phone Owners. Learn Who’s Eligible and How to Get Paid

If you used an Android phone with cell service in the last nine years, you could be eligible for compensation.

For years, Google has been accused of harvesting data from Android phones without users’ consent. A California lawsuit was settled for $314 million last year, and another class action lawsuit recently reached a resolution that could mean payouts for another 100 million people.

While not admitting fault, Google reached a preliminary settlement in the class action lawsuit Taylor v. Google LLC in January, agreeing to pay $135 million, and the official settlement website for the lawsuit is now live.

The final approval hearing won’t occur until June 23, when the court will hear objections and consider whether Google’s settlement is fair. After that, the court will decide whether to approve the $135 million settlement.

In the meantime, if you qualify and want to be paid as part of the settlement, you can select your preferred payment method on the official website. There, you can find information on speaking at the June 23 court hearing and on how to exclude yourself or write to the court to object by May 29.

As part of the settlement, Google will update its Google Play terms of service to clarify that certain data transfers do occur passively even when you’re not using your Android device, and that cellular data may be relied upon when not connected to Wi-Fi. This can’t always be disabled, but users will be asked to consent to it when setting up their device.

Google will also fully stop collecting data when its «allow background data usage» option is toggled off.

Who can be part of the Google data settlement?

In order to join the Taylor v. Google LLC settlement, you must meet four qualifications:

Be a living, individual human being in the US.
Have used an Android mobile device with a cellular data plan.
Have used the aforementioned device at any time from Nov. 12, 2017, to the date when the settlement receives final approval.
You’re not a class member in the Csupo v. Google LLC lawsuit, which is similar but specifically for California residents.

The final approval hearing is on June 23, so you can add your payment method until then. The hearing’s date and time may change, and any updates will be posted on the settlement website.

If you choose to do nothing, you will still be issued a settlement payment, but you may not receive it if you don’t select a payment method.

How much could I get paid by Google?

It’s not currently known exactly how much each settlement class member will receive, but the cap is $100. Payments will be distributed after final court approval and after any appeals are resolved.

After all administrative, tax and attorney costs are paid, the settlement administrator will attempt to pay each member an equal amount. If any funds remain after payments are sent, and it’s economically feasible, they will be redistributed to members who were previously and successfully paid. If it’s not economically feasible, the funds will go to an organization approved by the court.

Technologies

Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered, Squirrel With a Gun and More Are Coming to PlayStation Plus in April

Some other games might be fun, but Squirrel With a Gun has my full attention.

Sometimes when I play a game, I want a deep story that makes me feel connected to the characters. Other times, I want a nonsensical romp that allows me to shut my brain off and laugh for a minute. Squirrel with a Gun seems to be that kind of game. And good news, PlayStation Plus subscribers can play that game and others starting on April 21.

PlayStation Plus is Sony’s version of Xbox Game Pass, offering subscribers a large and constantly expanding library of games. PlayStation Plus has three tiers — Essential ($10 a month), Extra ($15 a month) and Premium ($18 a month) — which each give subscribers access to games. But only Extra and Premium tier subscribers can access the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog, while Essential subscribers can access only the monthly games.

Here are all the games Sony is adding to the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog in April. You can also check out the games all PS Plus subscribers can play until May 4.

Squirrel With a Gun

What more do I need to say about this game? You’re a squirrel, and you have a gun, making you potentially the most American woodland critter behind a bald eagle. After escaping a secret facility, you’re on the hunt for some acorns while you try to evade and defeat the Agents in this sandbox puzzle platformer game. You’ll find out how far our furry friend is willing to go to get their nut — acorns are nuts, get your mind out of the gutter.

Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered

Huge robotic dinosaur-looking machines are the dominant force in this award-winning action roleplaying game. You play as Aloy, a huntress who was cast out of the mountain-dwelling Nora tribe. In your search for answers about your past, you’ll encounter machine and human enemies, beautiful landscapes and a plan to reclaim the land once and for all.

Monster Train

Hell has frozen over, the celestial forces of heaven are coming to extinguish the last burning pyre, and it’s up to you to stop them. Monster Train is a unique roguelike deck builder that adds a twist by spreading your playing field out to three vertical areas. With over 250 cards to use and six different monster clans to call on, you’ll have plenty of ways to ward off your enemies and take back your home.