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AirPods Pro 3 Available for $209.99 on Amazon This Week

2026-03-17 07:04:37

Amazon today has the AirPods Pro 3 available for $209.99, down from $249.00. This is only about $10 higher when compared to the Amazon all-time low price, which has been hard to come by in recent weeks.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

This model of the AirPods Pro launched in September 2025 and has 2x better Active Noise Cancellation than the previous generation, better audio quality, a revised fit that's meant to improve comfort and stability, Live Translation for in-person conversations, and heart rate sensing for workouts.

If you're shopping for the AirPods 4, Amazon also has a solid discount on the base model at $99.00, down from $129.00. Keep up with all of this week's best discounts on Apple products and related accessories in our dedicated Apple Deals roundup.

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10 Audio Improvements in Apple's New AirPods Max 2

2026-03-17 06:35:43

Apple refreshed the AirPods Max today, and the main new addition is an H2 chip that replaces the H1 chip. The H2 chip has previously been used in the AirPods 4 and the AirPods Pro 2 and later, but it's new to the AirPods Max. It brings multiple audio improvements alongside an updated high dynamic range amplifier.


We've listed all of the audio features that are new to the AirPods Max according to Apple.

• Active Noise Cancellation - The AirPods Max 2 have up to 1.5x more active noise cancellation because of the more powerful H2 chip and a new computational audio algorithm that detects and counters external sound.


• Adaptive Audio - The AirPods Max support Adaptive Audio, adjusting the level of ANC based on your environment.


• Transparency - Apple says it is using a new digital signal processing algorithm built for the H2 and the AirPods Max microphone array to make Transparency sound more natural. Your own voice will sound more realistic, and so will other sounds. Transparency lets you hear what's going on around you, with environmental noise filtered through the AirPods Max microphones.


• Loud Sound Reduction - Adaptive Audio includes Loud Sound Reduction and the AirPods Max will automatically reduce loud environmental sounds like lawn mowers or construction equipment.


• Personalized Volume - Another Adaptive Audio feature, Personalized Volume learns your volume preferences across different environments over time and automatically adjusts.


• Conversation Awareness - When you start to talk, Conversation Awareness kicks on and lowers the volume of what you're listening to while amplifying voices so you can hear a response. When you're done talking, the sound returns to its previous volume.


• High-fidelity audio improvements - Apple says the H2 chip and a new high dynamic range amplifier provide more headroom for the driver, resulting in richer bass, more natural vocals, and improved localization of instruments. Users can expect more accurate and consistent bass along with more natural sounding mids and highs.


• Adaptive EQ - Apple retuned Adaptive EQ for the H2 chip, and the feature now extends to higher frequencies. Adaptive EQ uses inward-facing microphones to sample what you're hearing, adjusting playback in real-time. According to Apple, users will get a more consistent listening experience across different fits, movements, and ear geometry.


• Voice Isolation - Voice Isolation isolates your voice in noisy environments so people can hear you when you're on a call. Voice Isolation also lets creators capture high-quality vocals.


• Reduced wireless audio latency - Apple says latency is lower with the H2 chip in the ‌AirPods Max 2‌. The AirPods Max support Bluetooth 5.3, up from Bluetooth 5.0 in the prior model.

There are other features enabled by the H2 chip that aren't tied directly to audio, like Live Translation, camera remote functionality, and the option to activate Siri without using "Hey." The ‌AirPods Max 2‌ also still have all of the other features from the original AirPods Max, like personalized spatial audio, quick pairing, device switching, and more.

Apple did not make other design changes to the AirPods Max, and the overall fit and look have not been updated. Compared to the AirPods Pro 3, the main AirPods Max benefit is lossless audio. With a wired USB-C connection to a device, the AirPods Max offer 24-bit 48kHz lossless audio, which the AirPods Pro can't match.

The AirPods Max are priced at $549, and Apple plans to accept pre-orders on Wednesday, March 25. A launch will follow in early April, but Apple hasn't provided a specific date yet.
This article, "10 Audio Improvements in Apple's New AirPods Max 2" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple's First Lightning iPhone is Now Obsolete

2026-03-17 02:46:15

The iPhone 5 that launched back in 2012 is now considered obsolete, according to Apple's list of vintage and obsolete products. Apple moved the iPhone 5 and the 8GB iPhone 4 from the vintage list to the obsolete list today.


A device is "vintage" when it has been five years since it was last distributed for sale, and "obsolete" at the seven-year mark, though Apple sometimes stretches its timelines. For vintage products, Apple retail stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers can provide repairs if the required parts are available. Devices that are obsolete are generally not eligible for repair and Apple stops providing repair components.

Apple released the iPhone 5 in 2012 and discontinued it in 2013 after launching the iPhone 5s and the iPhone 5c. The iPhone 5 was added to the vintage products list in 2018, at which point repairs became limited based on parts availability. Now that the device has moved to the obsolete list, repairs will be largely unavailable.

The iPhone 5 featured an updated design with a glass and aluminum body, a taller 4-inch display, LTE support, and the first-ever Lightning port that replaced the 30-pin connector.

As for the 8GB iPhone 4 that was also added to the obsolete list, Apple introduced it in 2011 and then discontinued it in 2013. Both the 8GB iPhone 4 and the iPhone 5 were sold as low-cost devices in emerging markets after being discontinued in the United States.

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AirPods Max 1 vs. AirPods Max 2 Buyer's Guide: 25+ Differences Compared

2026-03-17 01:30:39

Apple has now announced the AirPods Max 2, bringing the first major hardware upgrade to Apple's over-ear headphones since their debut. So how does the new model compare with both earlier versions of ‌AirPods Max‌?


In late 2020, Apple announced the AirPods Max, a whole new AirPods variant with an over-ear design. In September 2024, the company refreshed the AirPods Max's selection of color options and swapped the Lightning port for USB-C, enabling 24-bit, 48 kHz lossless audio over a wired connection.

Now, with the arrival of the ‌AirPods Max 2‌, Apple has introduced a far more substantial upgrade than the 2024 refresh. The new model adds the H2 chip, more powerful Active Noise Cancellation, improved Transparency Mode, Adaptive Audio features such as Conversation Awareness and Personalized Volume, updated Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity with reduced latency, and enhancements to Spatial Audio and sound quality.

Following the announcement, the full range of differences between the original Lightning model, the USB-C refresh, and ‌AirPods Max 2‌ are outlined below:

AirPods Max (2020, Lightning)	AirPods Max (2024, USB-C)	‌AirPods Max 2‌ (2026)
H1 chip	H1 chip	H2 chip
Active Noise Cancellation	Active Noise Cancellation	Improved Active Noise Cancellation (1.5x stronger)
Transparency Mode	Transparency Mode	Improved Transparency Mode
		Adaptive Audio
		Conversation Awareness
		Voice Isolation
		Personalized Volume
		Loud Sound Reduction
		Camera Remote
		Live Translation
"Hey Siri" commands	"Hey ‌Siri‌" commands	"Hey ‌Siri‌" and "‌Siri‌" commands
		‌Siri‌ Interactions (privately respond to ‌Siri‌ announcements by simply nodding their head yes or gently shaking their head no)
		Custom high dynamic range amplifier
		New digital signal processing algorithm
Spatial Audio	Spatial Audio	Improved Spatial Audio (improved localization of instruments, more accurate and consistent bass response, and more natural-sounding mids and highs)
	Lossless Personalized Spatial Audio via USB-C to USB-C cable	Lossless Personalized Spatial Audio via USB-C to USB-C cable
Enhanced audio via Lightning to 3.5mm audio cable	"24-bit, 48 kHz lossless audio" via USB-C to USB-C cable	"24-bit, 48 kHz lossless audio" via USB-C to USB-C cable
Audio recording	Audio recording	"Studio-quality" audio recording
	Create and mix audio in Personalized Spatial Audio with head tracking via USB-C to USB-C cable	Create and mix audio in Personalized Spatial Audio with head tracking via USB-C to USB-C cable
Bluetooth 5.0	Bluetooth 5.0	Bluetooth 5.3
		Reduced wireless audio latency
Reduced latency audio via Lightning to 3.5mm audio cable	"Ultra-low" latency audio via USB-C to USB-C cable or USB-C to 3.5mm audio cable	"Ultra-low" latency audio via USB-C to USB-C cable or USB-C to 3.5mm audio cable
Lightning port	USB-C port	USB-C port
Available in Silver, Space Gray, Sky Blue, Pink, and Green	Available in Starlight, Midnight, Blue, Purple, and Orange	Available in Starlight, Midnight, Blue, Purple, and Orange
Released December 2020	Released September 2024	Release in April 2026
Now discontinued	Now discontinued	$549

The original AirPods Max with Lightning are becoming increasingly difficult to find as remaining inventory has gradually dried up over the past two years. While some third-party retailers may still have limited stock or refurbished units available, the model is no longer widely sold. For buyers who can still locate a pair at a substantial discount, the Lightning version can remain an appealing option. It offers the same distinctive design, premium build quality, Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency mode, and Spatial Audio support that defined the product when it launched in 2020. If you primarily use AirPods Max wirelessly for casual listenin, have no interest in the newer software capabilities, or have other Lightning devices, the original model still delivers a good core experience.

The AirPods Max with USB-C, introduced in 2024, remain widely available and until today represented Apple's current version of the headphones. Aside from the switch from Lightning to USB-C and a new set of color options, the hardware is largely identical to the original model. A firmware update alongside iOS 18.4 restored wired audio input and enabled 24-bit, 48 kHz lossless audio over a USB-C connection when used with a USB-C to USB-C cable. This gives the USB-C model a clear advantage over the Lightning version for users who want the best possible wired audio quality. It also enables creator-focused capabilities such as Lossless Personalized Spatial Audio and the ability to create or mix content in Spatial Audio with head tracking. For most users listening wirelessly, however, the overall experience remains very similar to the original model.

The newly announced ‌AirPods Max 2‌ represent the first meaningful upgrade to the product since its debut. The new model introduces Apple's H2 chip, enabling significantly improved Active Noise Cancellation, enhanced Transparency Mode, and Adaptive Audio features such as Conversation Awareness, Personalized Volume, and Voice Isolation. Apple has also improved Spatial Audio performance and added Bluetooth 5.3 with reduced wireless latency. Together, these upgrades bring the over-ear AirPods much closer to the capabilities offered by Apple's latest in-ear AirPods models.

For buyers deciding between generations, the choice largely comes down to how important the new features are. The original AirPods Max still deliver the premium design, sound quality, and wireless listening experience that made them popular. However, for those who want stronger noise cancellation, new features like Live Translation, and the most future-proof option, ‌AirPods Max 2‌ are clearly the model to choose.

Existing owners of the original AirPods Max may want to weigh the benefits of the H2 chip, improved Active Noise Cancellation, Adaptive Audio features such as Conversation Awareness and Personalized Volume, and reduced wireless latency. Users with the Lightning version may be more inclined to upgrade given their device's age, while those with the newer USB-C variant may find the improvements less essential if they are satisfied with the current feature set. For frequent travelers, people who regularly listen in noisy environments, or anyone who simply wants the most advanced version of Apple's over-ear headphones, the upgrade may still be worthwhile.

AirPods frequently see hefty discounts on Amazon and other third-party retailers, so stepping up to the ‌AirPods Max 2‌ may be more worth it if you can take advantage of one of those deals. The AirPods Max often see solid discounts, so it is always worth seeking the best price using our Deals roundup.
This article, "AirPods Max 1 vs. AirPods Max 2 Buyer's Guide: 25+ Differences Compared" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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AirPods Max 2 Reveal iOS 26.4 Launch Date

2026-03-17 00:37:42

Apple today introduced the second-generation version of its over-ear AirPods Max headphones, and some of the software requirements in the fine print give us some insight into when Apple's iOS 26.4 update will be released to the public.


To use several of the added features like Live Translation, the AirPods Max 2 will need to be paired with an iPhone running iOS 26.4, an iPad running iPadOS 26.4, or a Mac running macOS Tahoe 26.4.

The AirPods are set to launch in early April, which means iOS 26.4 and its sister updates will need to launch during the same time frame. iOS 26.4 will be here by the first week of April, and it could even launch before the end of March.

We're at the fourth beta now, so the release candidate version could come at any time. The release candidate likely includes ‌AirPods Max 2‌ mentions in the code, so Apple was probably holding back on providing it to developers and public beta testers until the ‌AirPods Max 2‌ were announced.

Apple plans to begin accepting preorders for the ‌AirPods Max 2‌ on Wednesday, March 25. There is no more specific launch date than "early April," which suggests the first week and a half of the month.

Features that require iOS 26.4 include Live Translation, Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness, "Siri" wake word support, Voice Isolation, and the new Digital Crown controls for using the AirPods Max as a camera button. Apple says the feature set will require the latest AirPods Max firmware as well as the iOS 26.4, iPadOS 26.4, and ‌macOS Tahoe‌ 26.4 software.

This article, "AirPods Max 2 Reveal iOS 26.4 Launch Date" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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AirPods Max 2's Digital Crown Has a Useful New Feature

2026-03-16 23:37:31

While the new AirPods Max 2 have the same overall design as the previous AirPods Max, the Digital Crown has received a small but useful upgrade.


On the AirPods Max 2, a new Camera Remote feature allows you to press the Digital Crown to take a photo and start or stop video recording while using Apple's Camera app or compatible third-party camera apps on an iPhone or iPad.

Apple says this feature requires AirPods Max 2 that are running the latest firmware and paired with iPhone and iPad models running iOS 26.4 or iPadOS 26.4 or later. Those software versions are still in beta testing, but they will be released in time for the AirPods Max 2 launch in early April, barring any unforeseen delays.

Here are all of the Digital Crown controls on AirPods Max 2:

• Turn for volume control


• Press once to play or pause media


• Press once to answer a call or mute or unmute


• Press once for camera remote


• Press twice to end a call


• Press twice to skip forward


• Press three times to skip back


• Press and hold for Siri

Other upgrades compared to the previous generation include the H2 chip, increased active noise cancellation, improved sound quality, and features such as Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness, Voice Isolation, and Live Translation. In addition, AirPods Max 2 support a shorter "Siri" command alongside the longer "Hey Siri."

Read the rest of our AirPods Max 2 coverage to learn more:

• Apple Announces AirPods Max 2 With H2 Chip and More


• AirPods Max 1 vs. AirPods Max 2 Buyer's Guide: 25+ Differences Compared


• What Hasn't Changed With AirPods Max 2

AirPods Max 2 will be available to order on Apple.com and in the Apple Store app starting Wednesday, March 25, with U.S. pricing set at $549. Apple says the headphones will launch in early April, but it has yet to provide a specific release date.
This article, "AirPods Max 2's Digital Crown Has a Useful New Feature" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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