AirPods Max 2 Likely to Offer These 10 New Features

[MacRumors]

Apple released the AirPods Max on December 15, 2020, meaning the over-ear headphones launched five years ago today. While the AirPods Max were updated with a USB-C port and new color options last year, followed by support for lossless audio and ultra-low latency audio this year, the headphones lack some of the features that have been introduced for newer generations of the regular AirPods and the AirPods Pro.

Fortunately, it has been rumored that Apple plans to update the AirPods Max within the next few years, and they will likely receive the following 10 changes.

Earlier this year, Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said he expected lighter AirPods Max to enter mass production in 2027. However, he did not outline any other planned upgrades beyond the headphones apparently weighing less.

The current AirPods Max weigh 0.85 pounds, excluding the charging case, according to Apple.

AirPods Max still have Apple's H1 chip from 2019, so it is very likely that a second-generation pair would be equipped with the H2 chip or newer. That should unlock at least seven upgrades, including improved sound quality, increased active noise cancellation, longer battery life, Adaptive Audio, Personalized Volume, Conversation Awareness, and the ability to use "Siri" instead of "Hey Siri."

Adaptive Audio adjusts Active Noise Cancellation based on your environment — you can customize the setting to allow more or less ambient noise. Personalized Volume is a similar feature that adjusts your AirPods volume based on both your surroundings and your volume preferences. Conversation Awareness temporarily lowers your volume and enhances voices in front of you while you are talking with someone.

Other likely changes include new color options for the ear cushions and headband, as well as a redesigned carrying case. Hopefully the case gains an Ultra Wideband chip, which would unlock Precision Finding in the Find My app.

In the U.S., AirPods Max remain priced at $549, but they are frequently on sale for less at Amazon and other resellers. Unless you really want AirPods Max now, we are now at a point where waiting for the 2027 model is worthwhile.

Article Link: AirPods Max 2 Likely to Offer These 10 New Features

 

[DTphonehome]

Apple plans to update the AirPods Max within the next few years

Wow, bold prediction there.

 

[timmodugdale]

"next few years"

I don't think this is acceptable, at all. They have let this product stagnate and it is borderline unethical to still be selling these devices as if they are worth the price they are charging. They should cut the price by half, at least, considering the technology is ancient.

 

[Zensō]

At $50 less, the new Sennheiser HDB 630 blows these headphones out of the water.

 

[Squuiid]

"Fortunately, it has been rumored that Apple plans to update the AirPods Max within the next few years"

Within the next few years? LOL, ok.

 

[CATiNTHESTORE]

(c) Bloomberg

 

[justanotherdave]

I want these with a WiFi/AirPlay lossless connection. Or a lossless wired connection. No Bluetooth other than for compatibility.

 

[ridebikes]

Huge win and worth the upgrade if we can get "Siri" instead of "hey Siri" at some point "within the next few years!"

 

[sigmasirrus]

Adding an on / off button would be nice. Along with a functional case. Wireless lossless audio. And the headband mesh seems to lose its original support strength after some time. They should just use a normal padding like everyone else.

 

[FunkyTang]

Too little and too late for updates that dont address the condensation issue.

 

[Nilhum]

Too little and too late for updates that dont address the condensation issue.

I’ve had 2 die due to that reason and 1 die due to connection issues. AC+ ran out and I junked them because the price to repair is the cost of new Bose headphones. Never had an apple product this bad.

 

[rp2011]

The biggest issue with the AirPod Max is the weight. 2nd is how ridiculous they look, but I could live with the goofy look. Hopefully with Ive gone they completely abandon the preposterous design for something lighter and without the goofy 1950's retro look.
For those looking for a far better alternative, look no further than the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra's.

 

[Techwatcher]

Yeah none of these matter as much as adding in True Lossless support for these headphones. At this pricepoint there’s no excuse anymore. Apple is way too slow when it comes to rolling features out, that’s why all of Executive Leadership is leaving.

 

[delsoul]

Wow, bold prediction there.

And it’s from the same ol’ person making a living off of speculation and inside informant information that they shouldn’t be receiving. Kuo and Gurman are a very large part of what has ruined the excitement of new Apple releases

 

[kingalexthe1st]

The ‘upgrade’ of being able to use “Siri” instead of “Hey, Siri” was a total waste of talented Apple engineers’ time, effort and money that should have been better put towards developing Siri’s core code of being able to understand user’s queries better. The hubris beggars belief.

 

[Wieslawo]

AirPods Max are as dead as the 27" iMac.

 

[tomtad]

the ability to use "Siri" instead of "Hey Siri."

Hang on. You're saying Apple's top of the line AirPods Max can't do this 💀

 

[cjboffoli97]

I was excited about the AirPods Max when they came out and was an early adopter. But I had repeated (condensation caused) issues with them over the first couple of years. There were many more interactions with tech support (and even Apple engineering) than I care to count. And even after repeated replacements the problems persisted. Ultimately, the pair I had emitted a random, ear-piercing sound that gave me permanent tinnitus. So it would be really hard to return to this product in any form. In a lifetime as an Apple customer (from my first Apple II in the late 70's) the Max was the most problematic Apple divide I ever owned.

 

[a_politis]

For me not a premium product. Heavy and full of cheap plastic, I regret buying it.

 

[KeepCalmPeople]

Other companies seem to be able to respond to the market and develop similar products to the AirPods Max in a year or less. Apple must be selling fewer and fewer of these with each passing year.

 

[xyz01]

Increased robustness is an absolute must. Design it with outdoor use in mind.

Both hardware and software - add an on/off button so we can force power cycle too.

Beyond that - lossless, wireless audio. Apple controls both sides, they can do it.

Catch up with Sony and Bose in noise cancelation. Improve sound quality overall, and voice quality for calls/meeting. Sony's WH-1000XM6 are great there

Change the mesh on the band between the cups - have Craig Federighi approve the replacement after using it a month, it needs to work better with hair products. It gets really sticky and is hard to clean.

Add better "find my"-tech to it.

Get a real case - Sony has a great magnetic case for their latest.

 

[StarHunter]

Given how outdated these are they might as well use the H3 for this.

 

[erikkfi]

An appealing design would be nice.

 

[raythompsontn]

it has been rumored that Apple plans to update the AirPods Max within the next few years

I predict that within the next few years Apple will release updated MacBook Pro, updated MacBook Air, and updated iPhone.

 

[BobF4321]

Besides being much lighter, the Sony XM5 has a nice feature: it has voice responses for setting changes for noise cancellation, etc. and for checking the battery level. No need for an iPhone/Mac to check settings.