Apple has given the AirPods Max a bit of an update… but don’t get too excited
There were many rumors about the arrival of new AirPods Max 2 for Apple’s iPhone 16 event, but it turns out we’ll have to make do with some quality improvements over the existing AirPods Max.
Perhaps the audio industry’s worst-kept secret, major updates to Apple’s AirPods line were widely announced earlier this year , and true to tradition, Apple announced the new AirPods 4 and some notable updates to the AirPods Pro 2 . But as the oldest headphones in Apple’s stable – they were released in 2020 – it was the AirPods Max that were most in need of an upgrade.
If you were expecting a raft of new features, however, you’ll want to temper your expectations: the updates we’ve seen for the AirPods Max so far have been modest, to say the least. There have only been a few minor tweaks to bring them more in line with their stablemates.
So if, like us, you’ve been eagerly awaiting a major upgrade to Apple’s premium over-ear headphones, you may have to wait a little longer.
AirPods Max: The updates you need to know
Since this is the first update the AirPods Max have received in four years, there have been a lot of rumors about what kinds of features are expected from this new version. But as mentioned above, Apple has only introduced sparse upgrades.
In a change that everyone knew was coming, that Lightning port is gone, replaced by the more ubiquitous USB-C. Given that it’s a requirement by EU regulators, this was entirely unavoidable, but it’s a welcome upgrade nonetheless. The AirPods Max were the last Apple device to use Lightning, so it’ll be nice to finally ditch the hassle of separate cables and be able to charge your laptop, phone, or headphones all with the same charging cable.
Design-wise, the AirPods Max have only received a purely cosmetic refresh, with a slew of new color combinations hitting the market. The new shades available include Midnight, Orange, Starlight, Blue and, our personal favorite, Purple. It looks like we may finally be getting that purple colorway that Apple originally planned for the AirPods.
But unfortunately, that’s it. While we could argue that this is a missed opportunity for Apple to justify the AirPods Max’s premium price – with new features like lossless audio, weather resistance, and the new AirPods 4 Conversation Awareness feeling like a special oversight – it looks like we’ll have to wait a little longer for the AirPods Max 2.