iOS 27 Upgrades Make AirPods Max 2 Harder to Resist
▼ Summary
– AirPods Max 2 are currently priced at $399 on Amazon, down from $549.
– iOS 27 introduces a Custom EQ feature that allows personalized sound profiles, requiring the H2 chip found only in AirPods Max 2.
– AirPods Max 2 support the short “Siri” trigger phrase, while older models require “Hey Siri,” which becomes more valuable with iOS 27’s enhanced Siri AI.
– The H2 chip in AirPods Max 2 also enables exclusive features like Conversation Awareness, Adaptive Audio, and Live Translation.
– AirPods Max 2 received a proper update in 2024, adding new colors and USB-C, but the main upgrade is the H2 chip.
The newest iOS 27 update is making the AirPods Max 2 a far more attractive buy, especially with the headphones currently sitting at $399 on Amazon a significant drop from the original $549 price tag. If you have been on the fence about upgrading, the software changes arriving this year might finally tip the scales.
For years, owners of the original AirPods Max had every right to feel overlooked by Apple. The product launched in 2020 and saw virtually no meaningful changes until 2024. That four-year gap delivered only a USB-C port and fresh color options, leaving the core experience untouched. However, the wait for a proper sequel ended earlier this year with the AirPods Max 2.
The defining hardware improvement in the new model is the H2 chip. This processor unlocks a suite of advanced features that the original simply cannot support. With iOS 27, the H2 chip becomes even more critical, introducing two standout capabilities.
First, the update brings Custom EQ to AirPods. This brand new feature allows you to tailor the sound profile to your exact preferences. In the iOS 27 beta, you can access it by navigating to AirPods settings, then Audio & Routing, and selecting Equalizer. From there, you can build a personalized profile adjusting low, mid, and high frequencies. Crucially, Custom EQ requires the H2 chip, making it exclusive to the AirPods Max 2 and unavailable on older models.
Second, the AirPods Max 2 already support the shorter “Siri” trigger phrase. Older models still require the full “Hey Siri” command. While this might seem minor now, it gains real significance with iOS 27’s enhanced Siri AI. If the smarter Siri leads you to interact with the assistant more frequently, the convenience of a single-word wake command becomes a tangible daily advantage.
These iOS 27 upgrades join an already impressive list of AirPods Max 2 exclusive features, including Conversation Awareness, Adaptive Audio, and Live Translation. Combined, they create a much stronger case for upgrading than any previous update.
With the price now at $399 on Amazon, the combination of hardware improvements and new software functionality makes the AirPods Max 2 a compelling investment for anyone still using the original model.
(Source: 9to5Mac)
