AirPods Max 2 Launch Next Year: What to Expect (and What to Hope For)

As an Apple fan boy that owns at least one of nearly everything, I have to say that the AirPods Pro Max are arguably the worst Apple product made. They over engineered them and left us with terribly uncomfortable headphones seemingly made out of lead. I’m 6’5” and a big dude. I can only imagine how they’d feel on someone not nearly as big. Bought the Bose ones and they are night and day more comfortable…so much lighter. That weight really matters. I really hope Apple isn’t shy about using premium plastic and titanium where it can to significantly reduce the weight of a second version. They have to address the weight.
 
Not that Apple will read these but I'd hope for the following:

- A proper, traditional case
- Foldable in some way
- USB-C
- Bluetooth 5.3
- Longer battery life (say 30 hours minimum)
- H2 chip
- Lossless audio
- Better protection/design to stop the metal cups clinking together at the edges
- Better sound
- Some new color options including Space Black, (PRODUCT)Red and maybe Natural Titanium

I also wouldn't be against changing from metal earcups to a high quality plastic which might bring the cost down.

Ideally a sub-$500 price point, but definitely no price increase.
 
I certainly hope we get more than just a change of port and new colors. Gurman's rumor that we will not see a new chip or any other improvements just can't be right. Then again, it's such a disappointing rumor that I wouldn't put it past them.

I would also love to be able to use these headphones with an analog cable, bypassing the internal DAC/ADC, but there's no way Apple will allow that. These are meant to be Bluetooth headphones.
 
for audio/video production on ipad/macos a 3.5mm and/or low latency is a must. personally for me i want low latency because cabeling with an ipad is a nightmare.
 
MacRumors said:


AirPods Max are the oldest current-generation AirPods product still in Apple's lineup. It's been almost three years since Apple launched AirPods Max in December 2020, and only recently have we begun hearing rumors about Apple's plans for a new-generation model next year.

AirPods-Max-Gen-2-Feature-Dark-Red-2.jpg

According to well-connected Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman, Apple will introduce a new version of the AirPods Max in late 2024. Here's what we expect from the new version of Apple's premium over-ear headphones, followed by some potential features that we hope to see but are still unconfirmed for AirPods Max 2.

2024 AirPods Max: What to Expect

USB-C

According to Gurman, Apple will replace the Lightning port found on the current-generation AirPods Max for a USB-C port. This will ensure the headphones comply with European regulations, and will bring consistency across the company's AirPods lineup.

USB-C-Over-Lightning-Feature.jpg

This of course means AirPods Max 2 will come supplied with a USB-C to USB-C charging cable, rather than a Lightning to USB-C cable. Apple will also need to offer a USB-C to 3.5mm audio accessory cable so that users can plug AirPods Max 2 into 3.5mm audio ports.

Bluetooth 5.3

The Bluetooth 5.3 specification can already be found in the AirPods Pro 2, the iPhone 15 lineup, and the latest Apple Watch models. It is also supported by all Mac models released in 2023. Therefore it's almost inevitable that the second-generation ‌AirPods Max‌ will similarly feature the latest Bluetooth standard.

airpods-max-lifestyle.jpg

Bluetooth 5.3 includes enhancements that can improve the reliability of the wireless connection as well as energy efficiency. The specification also includes LE Audio, but Apple does not appear to have implemented support for LE Audio in its devices yet.

New Colors

Apple will offer second-generation AirPods Max in fresh colors, according to an October 2023 Bloomberg report. Although what those colors might be is currently unknown.

AirPods-Max-2022-Colors.jpg

AirPods Max are currently available in Space Gray, Silver, Green, Sky Blue, and Pink, although interchangeable ear cushions allow for many color combinations. Apple sells standalone ear cushions for $69 per pair.

2024 AirPods Max: What to Hope For

The latest rumors suggest that no other major changes are expected for the AirPods Max 2, although Apple's plans could always change between now and when they are released in late 2024. Here are the improvements and changes that we hope Apple ultimately includes.

H2 Chip
It would seem reasonable for AirPods Max 2 to feature the H2 chip, Apple's custom silicon chip designed specifically for earbuds and headphones. The H2 chip enables improved computational audio to enhance sound quality on the current-generation ‌AirPods Pro‌ and improves battery life with better energy efficiency.

airpods-pro-h2-chip.jpg
​

Despite the H2 chip's introduction with the AirPods Pro, Gurman's latest report suggests Apple currently does not plan to include the technology in the AirPods Max 2, which would also deprive the headphones of H2-specific features like Adaptive Audio, Personalized Volume, and improved noise cancelation and battery life.

U2 Chip and Precision Finding

Apple's U2 Ultra Wideband chip can be found in the latest iPhone 15 series, Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2, and allows for Precision Finding in the Find My app.

precision-finding-airtag-design-session.jpeg

The current ‌AirPods Max‌ feature basic support for ‌Find My‌, but do not even feature the previous generation U1 chip. For Apple to add a U2 chip to AirPods Max 2 would therefore enable a much more precise way to locate the headphones when they are nearby.

Redesigned Smart Case

When Apple unveiled the $549 ‌AirPods Max‌, the included Smart Case stirred up plenty of online chatter for its odd appearance and poor overall protection when compared to the traditional hard cases that come with other premium headphones.

airpods-max-smart-case-video.jpg

Apple's much-lampooned case birthed an avalanche of memes, which have irreverently compared it to all sorts of things, from handbags to lingerie, and even body parts. There are no rumors that Apple plans to redesign the case, although one Apple patent describes how a future model could come with a case that offers a more traditional portable housing.

Article Link: AirPods Max 2 Launch Next Year: What to Expect (and What to Hope For)
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That would be enough to an update to get me to upgrade.
 
Born Again said:
We need to be honest here.. the 1st gen was a failure.

Apple needs to redesign this product and drop the price.

Make all those updates noted above its still heavy, ugly (yes very), and expensive.

You think it’s going to fly off the shelves with usb c? Pa-leeze
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I wouldn’t say they were a failure, but there’s definitely room for improvement. Lighter, less clunky looking, H2, USB-C, improved battery life, a real case. The helicopter pilot headphones look doesn’t really do it for me so I guess some could call it ugly.
 
Get the L3 or L4 from Philips. Incredible Sound, long batt, not very expensive. Philips Fidelio is anyway the best value most of the peoples.
 
Have had mine since launch day, and the only one of these that I would care about is the case. The current case seemed terrible initially, and ended up being terrible for all the reasons it seemed terrible.

Most amusing for me in this list of guesses is the chip for precision finding. I can’t say that my AirPods Max have slipped down the back of my sofa recently…
 
Born Again said:
We need to be honest here.. the 1st gen was a failure.

Apple needs to redesign this product and drop the price.

Make all those updates noted above its still heavy, ugly (yes very), and expensive.

You think it’s going to fly off the shelves with usb c? Pa-leeze
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On what basis other than your subjective views without having owned a pair are they a failure?
 
tweaknmod said:
I love mine, honestly.

I don’t find them ugly in the least - quite the opposite, in my eyes.

While I wouldn’t mind them being a bit lighter and less expensive, I don’t regret my purchase at all.

If the next version offer a slightly lighter form factor, usbc, and better battery, I’ll be getting a pair for sure (and my wife will inherit my current pair).
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I don’t know any person who owns a pair who shares any of the criticisms that the people who don’t own a pair post online. Other than perhaps the case, which I believe to be a fair and reasonable criticism…
 
lk400 said:
I don’t know any person who owns a pair who shares any of the criticisms that the people who don’t own a pair post online. Other than perhaps the case, which I believe to be a fair and reasonable criticism…
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Totally fair - I just don’t use it, so it doesn’t occur to me.
 
anthogag said:
Better sound and lossless playback will surely be in the next Max. If Vision Pro can do lossless with current USB-C AirPods Pro then the next AP Max should be able to do lossless with iPhone 16. 🤌
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I'll stick to my $19 EarPods with USB-C—which I basically always grab over my second-gen AirPods Pro—for enjoying lossless-quality audio. No amount of lipstick-on-a-pig Bluetooth voodoo or gimmicks can compete with (even cheap) wired headphones.
 
Maybe I've just had some bad luck, but I'd be happy if they made it so they don't start having pairing issues and breaking after a few months of use...

Ended up selling my 3rd replacement pair and just got Bose instead 🤷🏻
 
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