Apple’s new AirPods Max 2 headphones kept the same general design as the previous version without visible changes, but they brought a small and very useful upgrade to the Digital Crown to expand its capabilities. The new Camera Remote feature allows users to press this crown to take photos and start or stop recording videos with ease while using the official Camera app or compatible third-party photography apps on iPhone and iPad.
Apple explained that taking advantage of this practical feature requires running the headphones with the latest firmware version and connecting them to devices running iOS 26.4, iPadOS 26.4, or later versions. Although these software versions are still currently undergoing beta testing, the developers are preparing to officially launch them to users coinciding with the launch of the new headphones on the market early next April, unless any unexpected delays occur.
The control crown provides a comprehensive and diverse range of vital functions at the push of a button. Users can rotate the crown to control the volume, or press once to play or pause media, answer calls, mute the volume, and use the camera remote, while pressing twice in a row leads to ending the call or skipping the audio clip forward, and pressing three times to go back, with the ability to press and hold to summon the voice assistant Siri to execute commands.
The improvements are not limited to this smart crown only, but also include powerful internal upgrades, most notably the reliance on the advanced H2 chip to provide exceptional sound quality. The headphones provide enhanced active noise cancellation capabilities with modern features that include Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness, Voice Isolation, and Live Translation, in addition to support for the short Siri voice wake-up command alongside the usual traditional command.
Apple is preparing to open pre-orders to purchase the new AirPods Max 2 headphones, starting on Wednesday, March 25, through its official website and its digital store application. These pioneering headphones are available at a price of 549 US dollars in the United States of America markets, and will reach users’ hands officially and effectively during early next April, immediately after the company announces the exact date for the start of shipping and delivery operations.
