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AirPods Max 2: What Rumors Say Ahead of the Apple Event Next Month

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It has been nearly four years since Apple released the AirPods Max, so an update to the over-ear headphones is highly anticipated.

Airpods-Max-Feature-Blue.jpg

Below, we recap the latest rumors about the AirPods Max.

As a refresher, Apple released the AirPods Max in December 2020, after announcing them in a press release shared on the Apple Newsroom website. The headphones have not received any hardware upgrades since, leading some customers to hold off on their purchase and hope that Apple will eventually release AirPods Max 2.

Unfortunately, rumors suggest that AirPods Max 2 are not coming any time soon, with only minor revisions expected for the headphones later this year.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman previously reported that Apple is planning to update the AirPods Max in late 2024 with a USB-C charging port, instead of the current Lightning port, and he said new color options are also a possibility for the headphones. Beyond that, Gurman said Apple is planning no other changes for the revised AirPods Max, to the point that he expects the updated headphones to still be considered first-generation AirPods Max.

If the information shared by Gurman is accurate, that means the AirPods Max would not be updated with the H2 chip that debuted in the second-generation AirPods Pro a few years ago. As a result, the AirPods Max would miss out on Adaptive Audio features, along with longer battery life afforded by the H2 chip's increased power efficiency.

In the event Apple ever does release AirPods Max 2, plausible upgrades include the H2 chip, longer battery life, improved active noise cancellation, a second-generation Ultra Wideband chip with support for Precision Finding in the Find My app, Bluetooth 5.3, and a redesigned carrying case.

Gurman said the AirPods Max would be updated in late 2024, but it is unclear exactly when. Apple recently announced that it will be holding a media event on September 9, where it is expected to unveil fourth-generation AirPods alongside new iPhones and Apple Watches, but it is unclear if the revised AirPods Max will also be introduced then.

AirPods Max are regularly $549 in the U.S., but Amazon has the headphones on sale for $399 in all color options, including Green, Pink, Silver, Sky Blue, and Space Gray.

Article Link: AirPods Max 2: What Rumors Say Ahead of the Apple Event Next Month
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/08/27/airpods-max-2-rumor-recap/
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Honestly, any kind of new release of these is long overdue at this point

I don't even care if these end up being the AirPods Max gen 1.5 because of the only thing being the port change from lightning to USB-C

The battery life of my current ones I've had for years (since 2021) is just abysmal now, and they are the sole remaining thing that's keeping me from getting rid of lightning for good
 
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I bought mine on sale few years back at Microcenter for 399. They are still going strong, AirPod Max is last on my list for upgrade. I had enough with Bose, and may look at Sonos or Sony along with AirPod max 2 when it’s time to replace.
 
I think the AirPods Max is the most overpriced product in Apple's lineup.

iTried them many times during Apple Store visits and they're really nice. But just not worth Apple's 579€ asking price.

I think they should upgrade them with lossless audio, latest bluetooth version, better boise cancellation and USB-C and release them for 350-400€ tops or discontinue them. The current version is suffering from HomePod 1st gen syndrome.
 
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I wish they'd add an on/off button (I know they will never do it) and USB-C. It would be also really nice if they made a functional non-pathetic case. I never cared for the crown so actual tactile volume buttons would be appreciated (never gonna happen). And knock 100 dollars off the price.
 
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It's amazing to me that they're 4 years old and still priced at $400. Only $150 less than full retail from 4 years ago.
 
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If the information shared by Gurman is accurate, that means the AirPods Max would not be updated with the H2 chip that debuted in the second-generation AirPods Pro a few years ago. As a result, the AirPods Max would miss out on Adaptive Audio features, along with longer battery life afforded by the H2 chip's increased power efficiency.
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profwafflez said:
Not updating to the H2 seems like a stretch
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If the AirPods Pro 3 are getting an H3 chip,

Updated Chip

The ‌AirPods Pro‌ 2 use the H2 chip, and the next-generation version of the ‌AirPods Pro‌ are expected to get an even faster chip, which Apple could call the H3 if it sticks with that naming scheme.

The current H2 chip powers everything from Active Noise Cancellation to Hey Siri, fast switching, and Adaptive EQ, so the H-series chips are key to AirPods functionality. The H3 chip's processing power could be important for health-related features rumored for the ‌AirPods Pro‌.

then wouldn't it make sense for the AirPods Max to also get an H3 chip?
 
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I have them. And agree a bit too expensive.

I’d also like to see them put on a diet, they are very heavy which is noticeable when you use them frequently all day.

The band across the top is also not the most comfortable design.

On the plus side, the noise cancelling is excellent - easily able to shut out the noisy traffic and the noisy drums of my neighbours late midnight parties. I use them to help get to sleep a lot.
 
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devinher said:
With Sonos entering the market and so many other great options from companies that seem to really care about this category, why would someone buy AirPods Max?

I'm loving my Bose Ultras and looking forward to what Sonos does as a follow up to the Ace. Can only wait on Apple so long.
Click to expand...

Because the other options are just finally getting close to the ANC on the Max, and because many of us have more than one device we want to connect them to and fast user switching is a godsend.
 
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Finally gave up waiting for second generation Max and got my first gen’s with the condensation induced squelching repaired, along with a second pair of ear cushions. Would rather have replaced them with gen 2 but the missed the awesome sound quality & sheer convenience iPhone, iPad and 2x Apple TV 4K switching).
 
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Seriously so annoying. I mean it’d be bad enough if they only included the H2 chip two years after its initial release, but not to include that at all would be insanity. Maybe they could be releasing a regular Max version without it, and a Pro Max version with the H2 (or even H3 if it’s ready?) That would make more sense to me than just not including it at all. They seem like pretty popular headphones - I see them constantly on my commute into the city. It’d be strange to let them go so long with very minor and/or nonexistent updates.
 
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boston04and07 said:
Seriously so annoying. I mean it’d be bad enough if they only included the H2 chip two years after its initial release, but not to include that at all would be insanity. Maybe they could be releasing a regular Max version without it, and a Pro Max version with the H2 (or even H3 if it’s ready?) That would make more sense to me than just not including it at all. They seem like pretty popular headphones - I see them constantly on my commute into the city. It’d be strange to let them go so long with very minor and/or nonexistent updates.
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Hopefully Gurman just got bad info. I cannot fathom how they could do an 'incremental upgrade' 4 years later.

It made sense when the AirPods Pro 2 got the USB-C upgrade since they were still only about a year old. This one doesn't make any sense to me if it is true.
 
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If USB-C is all that it's getting, why not announce it sooner? Does Apple want to be mocked again after the midnight HomePod mini debacle?

If Apple is serious about AirPods Max, it should do better than what's expected and add H3, Bluetooth 5.4, High-Res Lossless support, and next generation audio processing.
 
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If these worked as a gaming headset too they would sell far more. They would have to include a dongle for 2.4Ghz WiFi connectivity to minimize latency for gaming, but they certainly won’t be doing any of that.

They aren’t very smart at Apple it turns out.
 
BelgianChoklit said:
I think the AirPods Max is the most overpriced product in Apple's lineup.

iTried them many times during Apple Store visits and they're really nice. But just not worth Apple's 579€ asking price.

I think they should upgrade them with lossless audio, latest bluetooth version, better boise cancellation and USB-C and release them for 350-400€ tops or discontinue them. The current version is suffering from HomePod 1st gen syndrome.
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The Beats Studio range is probably a good fit for your budget.

AirPods Max are the super-premium headphone experience. The pricing on these is not unreasonable.
 
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