AirPods Max Still Lack H2 Chip Following Minor Update With USB-C Port and New Colors

[MacRumors]

While the AirPods Max were updated this week, some fans of Apple's over-ear headphones have expressed disappointment about the lack of major changes.

There are only two changes with the updated AirPods Max: a USB-C charging port instead of Lightning, and new color options, including Blue, Orange, Purple, Midnight, and Starlight. The headphones did not receive Apple's H2 chip that debuted in the AirPods Pro 2 a few years ago, meaning that they will continue to miss out on Adaptive Audio features, and there are no improvements to active noise cancellation either.

Apple first released the AirPods Max in December 2020, so the headphones are nearly four years old and continue to have the H1 chip from 2019.

The updated AirPods Max can be pre-ordered now and launch on Friday, September 20, with U.S. pricing remaining set at $549. Competing over-ear headphones include the Sony XM5, Sonos Ace, and Bose QuietComfort Ultra, for customers who may consider alternatives after the AirPods Max failed to receive any major changes this week.

Article Link: AirPods Max Still Lack H2 Chip Following Minor Update With USB-C Port and New Colors

 

[sniffies]

The fact that Max received minimum updates is a max disappointment.

 

[Etc_]

They could've at least lowered the price. The keynote speaker almost seemed proud that the price remains the same.

 

[DrJR]

I've been wanting a pair since they came out and I keep waiting for a proper update to spend that kind of money. Senheiser or some other company will get my money. Rediculous.

 

[AppleFanBoyCAN]

Lazy update

 

[MayaUser]

Apple should never even mention at the event Airpods max and Apple watch ultra just for these garbage "news"

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Hey, you got USB-C & colors: 2- that's TWO- major improvements in only 5 years. Love it. Spend that money. Upgrade. Resistance is futile.

 

[AirunJae]

So weird. Love the purple, but hard to believe they called it a day at USB-C and new colors.

 

[rymc02]

They could've at least lowered the price. The keynote speaker almost seemed proud that the price remains the same.

Tim's not lowering the price on anything now that they owe the EU $13B 🤣

 

[macmyworld]

Too many strong options out there to consider them anymore. Product is outdated.

 

[bunty07]

Disappointing, wanted to upgrade mine after 4 years.

 

[natteaap]

it's either airpods max lighting at 300€ if some shop decide to discount within a week or three or sonos, bose, sony or sennheiser. I'm in the market for over ears, preferably from apple. Too bad they decided to laugh in the face of their loyal customers.

 

[PsykX]

The flagships didn't receive much love this year.
No AirPods Pro 3.
No Apple Watch Ultra 3.
And with such a small update, we could argue no AirPods Max 2.
Even the iPhone got way more updates on the 16 than on the 16 Pro.

 

[archvile]

Between this and the Ultra 2 that didn't get any upgrades outside of a new color (not even the new SIP, wth?), this felt like an extremely lazy upgrade cycle for Apple.

 

[j569mxr]

I'm not an APM super user by any means, but I'm failing to see the disappointment in the lack of update aside from "they're 4 years old". What's missing in the APM?

 

[Student of Life]

I've been wanting a pair since they came out and I keep waiting for a proper update to spend that kind of money. Senheiser or some other company will get my money. Rediculous.

Just wait for the inevitable sale from Amazon, BestBuy etc. 399 or lower for the lighting version is a good deal, you save yourself over 100 dollars. If you want something like the AirPod Max but cheaper and are ok with a lower sound quality to some, then get the Beats Studio Pros, they go on sale for under 200 and are a steal and let you play lossless via the usb-c port. You get all the apple connectivity fun, spacial audio etc for a fraction of the price.

 

[Account25476]

Took them 4 years to pick 5 new colors. Regard the USB-C they just copied what this teenager did on reddit 6 months ago.

Salary earned.

 

[jwm]

After the number of years this has been on the market, this update is very disappointing. It doesn't help Apple having another headphone brand in their lineup.

 

[GtrDude]

That's fine.
I'll take the Sony WH-1000XM5 any day over this over priced junk anyway.
No matter how many colors they come in.

 

[vhayda]

They could've at least lowered the price. The keynote speaker almost seemed proud that the price remains the same.

The $549 from December 2020 is effectively $663 using the inflation calculator, so technically, they are cheaper. Another way to say it is that they are "only" $455 in December 2020 dollars. But that's just info — I'm super disappointed there's no H2 chip...

 

[metalsiren]

I mean how hard would it have been to just update to the h2 chip inside of it and keep everything else the same?????

 

[TwinCitiesJHawk]

Been waiting a year for this now debating just grabbing Bose QC ultra. Anyone recommend those over APM?

 

[ralph_sws]

we know since yesterday

 

[PotentPeas]

Not yet clear if they support any method of wired audio input, either... Obviously Apple's lightning/3.5mm adapter won't work! It could work with USB-C audio input, but I haven't seen any confirmation!

 

[Student of Life]

I'm not an APM super user by any means, but I'm failing to see the disappointment in the lack of update aside from "they're 4 years old". What's missing in the APM?

Honestly not much, just tweaks at this point. Think better Active Noise Cancellation, when they first came out they were leagues above everyone else, after 4 years they are still very good but not the best of the best which can be expected due to the 4 year gap. Sound quality is very subjective, I guess lossless play back either with bluetooth or airplay and better battery life. 20 hours is good but most headphone are now in the 30 hour range, again this is due to the 4 year difference. A case would be nice but Apple will be Apple on that.