AirPods Max 2: Everything We Know So Far

[MacRumors]

Apple's AirPods Max have now been available for almost five years, so what do we know about the second-generation version?

According to Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the new AirPods Max will be lighter than the current ones, but exactly how much is as yet known. The current AirPods Max weigh 0.85 pounds (386.2 grams), excluding the charging case, making it one of the heavier options in the premium over-ear headphones category. It is unclear what other changes they might have, beyond weighing less.

Both Bloomberg's Mark Gurman and Ming-Chi Kuo believe that new AirPods Max are on the way. Kuo expects the AirPods Max 2 to enter mass production at some point in 2027—seven years after the first-generation model launched.

In 2024, Apple updated the AirPods Max with a USB-C charging port and new color options, but they are still considered to be first-generation AirPods Max. The headphones did not receive Apple's H2 chip that debuted in the AirPods Pro 2 in 2022, so they continue to miss out on Adaptive Audio features, and there were no other changes. The AirPods Pro 3 have a range of features that could feasibly come to the next-generation AirPods Max, including:

• IP57 dust, sweat, and water resistance
• H2 chip
• 2.4GHz and 5GHz connectivity
• Lossless audio support with Apple Vision Pro
• "‌Siri‌" voice commands
• Adaptive Transparency
• Adaptive Audio
• Loud Sound Reduction
• Hearing Protection
• Hearing Test
• Hearing Aid
• Conversation Boost
• Conversation Awareness
• Live Translation
• U2 chip for Precision Finding

By 2027, the AirPods Pro could be even more advanced than the recently unveiled third-generation model, adding the "H3" chip and IR cameras. As a result, these features are also possibilities for the second-generation AirPods Max.

A refreshed design seems likely, especially given the rumored weight reduction and complaints from some users about the durability of the headband's mesh canopy. The Smart Case, which simply serves to put the headphones into their ultra-low power state, could also be due a redesign.

Gurman said that the long wait for a new model is due to the face that the headphones are stuck in a kind of commercial limbo—"too popular for Apple to stop selling them, and not popular enough for the company to invest a ton of time and money into creating a new version." Apple's audio team is apparently more focused on annual updates for earbud AirPods and supporting audio components across other products.

Article Link: AirPods Max 2: Everything We Know So Far

 

[phenste]

the thing that makes me the saddest about AirPods Max is that they are a genuinely fantastic product, and Apple could easily have a best-in-class product if they would JUST stick a damn H2 chip in there. they don’t even have to wait for H3. “enter[ing] mass production at some point in 2027…” sigh

 

[VisceralRealist]

I get that these must not be big sellers, thus there's little reason to regularly update them, but you would've thought that last year's "refresh" was an opportunity to actually upgrade the features and introduce a second generation model. These headphones are apparently important enough to keep around, but not important enough to meaningfully update in smaller than seven year intervals? I finally had a real reason to get over-ear Bluetooth headphones this year, and I opted for the Sonos Ace rather than the five-year-old AirPods Max. I'll consider the APM 2 in two years, I guess.

 

[wanha]

Seven years between (meaningful) product updates is... something

 

[MicahB]

Whether it is AirPods Max, Apple Displays or the HomePod, I do not understand why Apple is letting some products just wither on the vine. Either commit to the product and make quality regular updates or abandon it, but this bizarre middle ground just makes Apple look like they could abandon products way too easily.

 

[Student of Life]

For a company that has some of its top leadership with a background in business, they do seem to miss the big picture at times. The AirPods Max are a Hallo product. When they first came out they just destroyed basically every headphone out on the market, they are now still quite capable and still very much desired and popular. At this point just give it an H3 chip, work on better battery and ANC and lossless and call it day. Oh yeah I forgot a new case. It is almost analogous to another Apple Hallo product, the HomePod.

 

[shawnforever]

Mine broke between 2 and 3 years, from connection issues, a battery replacement, to finally bricking. The only thing I really miss about the APM’s was being able to tune the sound for my specific hearing loss using an audiogram. Otherwise my Bose QC’s are simply a better value and more comfortable.

 

[revfife]

I wish Apple would just license their H2 chip to Sony or Bose and exit the audio phones business all together. They don't care enough about their products to work on them.

 

[mazz0]

How do people feel about the styling of the current ones? I've never been a big fan personally, they remind me of old bars of soap, but curious how well liked they are in general.

 

[Nilhum]

I enjoyed my AirPods Pro max but eventually they stopped working and did not connect to any of my devices. They worked for 2 years. Apple said they needed to be fully replaced. Never buying again. They still turn on and and if I fully drain battery will connect then never after that.

 

[seek3r]

Seven years between (meaningful) product updates is... something

2013 Mac Pro has company now lol

 

[vegetassj4]

I'm waiting on the rumored Airpods Air. So light, they are like wearing a cloud, or maybe a Tribble?

 

[jayb3]

In 7 years I could...

Raise a child from birth through 2nd grade
Complete a bachelor's and master's degree
Learn to play the guitar
Become fluent in another language

...but Apple can't update the AirPods Max???

 

[BB714]

Mine died after 2 years (out of warranty of course). 500 bucks poof. It was the motivator to go back to all things wired for over ear headphones. I don’t trust bluetooth headphones anymore (unless it’s AirPods Pro at half the price of the Max).

 

[terrapin_nation]

I could see Apple turning these headphones into a smart device that has some sort of AR/computer vision. Maybe even have them be able to connect to the Apple Glasses rumored product.

 

[KeepCalmPeople]

Painfully slow product development from one of the world's biggest companies. It ain't rocket surgery.

 

[one more]

2027? By then Apple will have an H4 chip in the rest of the lineup. I think the lighter and more robust AirPods Max could sell very well. From what I have understood Apple will need to work out the following:

1) The cables that go along the hinges, so they do not wear out so fast when the cups get folded;
2) That head mesh ideally needs to be easily user replaceable, just like the current cushions;
3) The carrying case needs to be improved to protect the whole AirPods body;
4) The ability to completely power them off with a button will be a big plus.

 

[transpo1]

The commercial limbo argument is mostly of Apple’s own making: if you do not update the product regularly with the latest and greatest features and chips (giving it feature parity with AirPods Pro), people will not buy the product.

 

[Kidseeghost]

Airpods Max are great and they really need a true second gen. Need to be lighter, a redesigned headband and case, the new tech that is in the Pro version and the price needs to go down so they can go main stream. The only thing that holds AirPods Max back is Tim Cook obsession with margins and reusing the parts under a different version number.

 

[Taq'aix]

Use the AirPods Max with Apple Vision Pro and they’ll throw in a neck hernia at no extra charge.

 

[braddick]

Consumers place so much value on sound quality and comfort of the fit whereas the majority of us just want a peach colored set or even a turquoise color instead.

 

[PBG4 Dude]

Mine died after 2 years (out of warranty of course). 500 bucks poof. It was the motivator to go back to all things wired for over ear headphones. I don’t trust bluetooth headphones anymore (unless it’s AirPods Pro at half the price of the Max).

I have an AKG-55 headset I bought in 2002 that still works today. They cost me maybe $60 when I bought them. My only issue is the elastic headband stretched over time so I’ve had to do some DIY fixes to re-tighten the band.

My wife bought me a Sony XM5 noise cancelling Bluetooth headset and they have been amazing. They can pair to 9 devices so haven’t run into issues using them with my work PC, home computers, or Nintendo Switch2. It also has a headphone jack so it works with all my non Bluetooth enabled audio devices (mostly music / bass stuff), while still providing noise cancellation.

As much as I dig the idea of the AirPods Max, the elastic headband and lack of a headphone jack make them a non-starter for me.

 

[CATiNTHESTORE]

Mine died after 2 years (out of warranty of course). 500 bucks poof. It was the motivator to go back to all things wired for over ear headphones. I don’t trust bluetooth headphones anymore (unless it’s AirPods Pro at half the price of the Max).

My headphones Sony WH-1000XM3 still works in 2025 I wanna buy new one’s, but why would I do that, if oldies just works)))

 

[DonutHands]

High end headphones used to be a near 'buy it for life' purchase. Sad that we are willing to dump a $500 product after 5 years for one with another bell or whistle.

 

[Yaxchian]

I love the Max and the Pros. They should give the Max a bit love now too. I guess money is no issue for Apple, the invest is not too big for an update...