AirPods Max get new colors and USB-C, AirPods Pro 2 have new hearing features

09 September 2024

Today at its big event Apple has unveiled five new colors for the AirPods Max over-the-ear headphones, which now come in Midnight, Starlight, blue, purple, and orange. It's also finally given them a USB-C port. There are no further updates. The new AirPods Max are still $549, and will go on pre-order today. They will be released on September 20.

The AirPods Pro 2 are getting a big update - but not in hardware. Instead, they are receiving a lot of hearing-related features "this fall". You will get hearing protection via machine learning, and this is on by default to protect you from loud environmental noises while preserving the sound signature of what you're listening to. The H2 chip helps reduce loud intermittent noises 48,000 times per second. At concerts, you can wear your AirPods Pro 2 knowing they'll protect your hearing while keeping the music sounding natural and vibrant.

There's also a personalized hearing test (which you can share with your doctor) that will help power a built-in hearing aid mode.

The AirPods Pro 2 will use the results of your hearing test to make adjustments that will help you better hear the voices and sounds around you. The AirPods Pro 2 can also make adjustments helping you hear media better. The hearing aid feature can be set up with an audiogram created by a hearing health professional as well.

All of this will be available soon in more than 100 countries and regions (including the US, Germany, and Japan), following marketing authorization from global health authorities, which Apple expects to receive "soon".

To get the new hearing health features, the iPhone that's paired to your AirPods Pro 2 will need to be on iOS 18.

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