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Gurman: USB-C AirPods Max Not Coming Until 'Late 2024'

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Apple won't update the AirPods Max until late 2024 and apart from fresh colors and USB-C charging, no other major changes are expected. That's according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

airpods-max-spring-blue.jpg

Writing in the latest edition of his Power On newsletter, Gurman says Apple will replace the Lightning port for USB-C to comply with European regulations and for consistency across its AirPods lineup, but Apple does not plan to add the H2 chip and its attendant features like Adaptive Audio and Personalized Volume for the foreseeable future.

Indeed, the next version of Apple's over-ear headphones will be so similar to the current models that Apple may not even change the generation number, similar to the USB-C AirPods Pro.

That said, Gurman adds that Apple's plans could "possibly" change between now and when the AirPods Max are released.

Last week, Gurman reported that all three AirPods models and Mac accessories like the Magic Keyboard and Magic Trackpad are likely to transition to USB-C by 2024.

Article Link: Gurman: USB-C AirPods Max Not Coming Until 'Late 2024'
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2023/10/29/gurman-usb-c-airpods-max-late-2024/
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if they really do that I will be very disappointed. the AirPods Max will be four years old by then, be their most expensive & premium audio product and yet still miss out on features that the AirPods Pro offer for half the price. like I'm literally speechless about how disappointed I will be if this rumor holds up.
 
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If you want a pair of AirPods Max, buy them now. Don't wait for a connector change in another year. Too often those of us who follow rumor sites get paralyzed by the waiting game, and potentially miss out on useful or fun gadgets or experiences because we're afraid we'll be left behind when the next version comes out. You'll be waiting forever if you do that. If you want 'em, buy 'em. If you don't, don't.
 
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trusso said:
If you need 'em, buy 'em. If you don't, don't.
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I generally agree with this mantra. But who “needs” $550 over the ear Bluetooth headphones? Audio engineers aren’t using AirPods Max—I promise.

Edit: Looks like trusso edited his post. Fair enough. Point below still stands :) I want them, but I want them to be a bit better first.

My wife has the first gen AirPods Max, and they look/sound great. But there are some major drawbacks (carrying case, weight, water resistance) that held me back from getting a pair. I, and I assume many others, are waiting to buy the next gen AirPods Max not because we want the latest and greatest, but because we want Apple to fix the inevitable “first gen” hiccups.

For me, I’m waiting, but I agree wholeheartedly with the others that if we get to late 2024 and all we get is USB-C, I’ll be mighty disappointed.
 
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This is a rumor so disappointing that it just might be true. :(

AirPods Max are a lot like the original HomePod: too expensive to be competitive and no chance of "disrupting" the market. There are more affordable options from Sennheiser, Sony, and even Apple's own Beats brand. Portable over-ear headphones continue to be less popular than portable in-ear headphones, especially given the price difference. You buy over-ear for the sound. But Apple's charging a premium for something for which the main draw is ecosystem integration.

The fact that they've already gone three years without an update doesn't bode well for my hope that they'll do anything other than change the port after four years. Giving them away to influencers before this upcoming event tells me they're intending to coast on the current gen for quite a while. I bet they'll be discontinued before they're properly updated, much like the HomePod.
 
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Yeah, I disagree with his assessment after reading the newsletter today.

Don’t know where he got the idea that it won’t be updated till late 2024, but it will be updated earlier than that, most likely in Spring when MacBooks and iPads are updated to M3 (MacBooks and iPad Air and iPad Pros) and A17 (iPad mini) and A16 (iPad). And will likely feature updated H2 chip. (Although don’t know how users will use Vision Pro with AirPod Max considering the Max to be huge and bulky)

Only way I can see AirPod Max being pushed back that late is if Apple wants Max to have new H3 chip, which what I heard from industrial chatter that it’s in full active development right now.
 
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Born Again said:
Very few people care.

Apple AirPod max isn’t a compelling product and it’s overpriced to boot.

I’m going to say it….

it looks stupid on people too.
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I'm not too sure about the stupid part. Don't all over the ear headphones look stupid on people?

Absolutely agree that few people care, but on tech sites, most OPs tend forget they are a minute , unique slice of the market that doesn't hold much sway in Apple's business decisions. Besides, I would be more than willing to bet a good size of the majority complaining in this thread will never buy them regardless of what version is available or when it is available. They just like to whine.
 
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