Why Apple Isn't Making New AirPods Max Anytime Soon

[MacRumors]

AirPods Max fans hoping for a second-generation version of Apple's over-ear headphones shouldn't hold their breath, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

In his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman suggests Apple's wireless noise-canceling cans are stuck in commercial limbo – "too popular for Apple to stop selling them, and not popular enough for the company to invest a ton of time and money into creating a new version."

The reality check follows a report from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo earlier this year indicating AirPods Max 2 could enter mass production in 2027. Gurman's assessment paints an equally bleak picture (if not more so), claiming that Apple's audio team is more focused on annual AirPods updates and supporting audio components across other products. Apple is expected to release new AirPods Pro 3 this coming fall.

Apple's minimal commitment to the AirPods Max line became apparent last year when the company only updated the headphones with USB-C charging to comply with EU regulations, as well as some new color options. No other meaningful improvements were made.

It's already been nearly five years since the original AirPods Max launched in December 2020 – "a remarkably long time for an Apple product" to go without a real upgrade, Gurman notes.

Article Link: Why Apple Isn't Making New AirPods Max Anytime Soon

 

[MacUserFella]

Don’t understand why Apple released this if they’re not really gonna care for it all that much, sure, people like it, but they’ll eventually get old and people will want new ones, to which Apple will say “yeah just give it 5-8 years”

 

[zedsdead]

This is completely ridiculous to think they don't have the resources to put the H2 chip in it at the very least and give it the same features as AirPods Pro.

I think Apple is pissed that people didn't love them due mostly to the weight and case, and they just abandoned it.

For the recored I love my AirPods Max, and if they updated the chipset so it gained new features I would upgrade, even if they don't change the case (although a lighter version would definitely be appreciated.

 

[martint235]

Apple seems to do this. When they find themselves unable to cope with the class leaders, they just give up. Sony and Bose have pretty much sewn up the ANC overear market

 

[klasma]

Don’t understand why Apple released this if they’re not really gonna care for it all that much, sure, people like it, but they’ll eventually get old and people will want new ones, to which Apple will say “yeah just give it 5-8 years”

Apple was hoping for better sales. Since it underperformed, they don't want to waste more money in R&D on it.

 

[DrJR]

They aren’t a good value. Too many options that are better, AirPods Pro are phenomenal and cannibalize market but there are so many decent cans for half the price I can’t see how they were ever a product that made it to market.

 

[iBluetooth]

I''m sure they put some people on upgrading it with their own wifi chips etc. when they have a good enough chip working. Otherwise the product seems quite good, if it is still selling strong after this time.

 

[klasma]

This is completely ridiculous to think they don't have the resources to but the H2 chip in it at the very least and give it the same features as AirPods Pro.

Apple might have the resources, but sales have to justify expending those resources, which they apparently don't for the AirPods Max.

 

[throAU]

Don’t understand why Apple released this if they’re not really gonna care for it all that much, sure, people like it, but they’ll eventually get old and people will want new ones, to which Apple will say “yeah just give it 5-8 years”

Previous middle management team lead pet project?

To be fair though, limited scope for advance... hardware rev because? New BT standard, new WIFI standard perhaps, new codec (if one becomes popular)... outside of that... no need to update. Unless they redesign, but then they won't be airpods max any more really.

And yeah, i don't see the appeal of airpods max. They're unwieldy to carry, super expensive and not drastically better than sony alternatives at half the cost.

 

[rp2011]

Way too heavy and looked ridiculously dated the second they were released.

 

[Macbookey]

Apple is run by spreadsheets first, innovation second. They have done a tremendous job with AirPods. They are not willing to make that effort with over - ears and it is a shame. We no longer have Airport routers because of this mentality. Yet, imagine what they could have incorporated in such a device, and expanded to be so much more, (built in HomePod and TV as well as smart home stuff and device backups), if they actually had some vision at the top that doesn’t involve cells and grids on a digital math book.

 

[moulderine]

Honestly one of the most bizzarre things of the Tim Cook reign has been how any "tier 2" product is allowed to have the most inconsistent and illogical development roadmaps and refreshes. From the studio display, the Mac Sudio to this.

It's like they have no idea how consumers plan larger then average purchases and how big the gaps builds between the competitiveness of what they are offering and competitors due to the lack of timely refreshes. Maybe just me but I was in the market for all three products and have ended up with a compeitor for the display, a 4090 instead of the studio, and now giving up on the Max 2 and gettting the Sony X6.

I'm happy to pay the apple tax to stay in the ecosystem with quality products but when there is such a gap between the competitors offering and Apples because they missed any sense of timeley refresh it just becomes impossible to rationalise at a point.

 

[Madonepro]

Apple is run by spreadsheets first, innovation second. They have done a tremendous job with AirPods. They are not willing to make that effort with over - ears and it is a shame. We no longer have Airport routers because of this mentality. Yet, imagine what they could have incorporated in such a device, and expanded to be so much more, (built in HomePod and TV as well as smart home stuff and device backups), if they actually had some vision at the top that doesn’t involve cells and grids on a digital math book.

Yeah sure, how else would you run a company that is one of the world's largest for a reason. As has often been said, all over these forums, but tech is slowing down, and it's very expensive. Look at what Meta is willing to pay to get AI software engineers. Around 5 years ago, Apple made the announcement of a transition to their own silicon, and that takes time, and resources. Divesting those resources, in filling a product inventory, that includes everything an Apple user might want, is insane.
Networking is better in the hands of specialist companies, over the headphones too. What the future holds, who knows, and I sure haven't seen anyone on here describing that future, or learning a skillset to be an enabler, instead of a complainer.

 

[levitynyc]

Because you can get Sony XM6's for less money and they're way better.

 

[Gengar]

I mean, it’s a pair of headphones. It’s only so much they can do. It would be great though, if they could switch from stainless steel to titanium since it’s still premium, but lighter.

 

[cateye]

Don’t understand why Apple released this if they’re not really gonna care for it all that much, sure, people like it, but they’ll eventually get old and people will want new ones, to which Apple will say “yeah just give it 5-8 years”

Because they exist to soak buyers willing to over pay due to brand loyalty. There’s no shame in that, every company does it. They become a profit center to support things like pricing agreements that allow Amazon, et al to sell the more popular and important AirPods models at a discount.

 

[xxray]

This is completely ridiculous to think they don't have the resources to put the H2 chip in it at the very least and give it the same features as AirPods Pro.

I think Apple is pissed that people didn't love them due mostly to the weight and case, and they just abandoned it.

For the recored I love my AirPods Max, and if they updated the chipset so it gained new features I would upgrade, even if they don't change the case (although a lighter version would definitely be appreciated.

This. How hard is it to just put a new newer chip in there? Also, maybe the headphones would be more popular if they actually upgraded them. How would you expect a product to become more popular if you don’t improve it?

 

[emulator]

And yeah, i don't see the appeal of airpods max. They're unwieldy to carry, super expensive and not drastically better than sony alternatives at half the cost.

Huh? Sonys are much better, but yes, your ear may be leaning towards Apple... Even the XM4 (same time) was better and we are now 2 gens after.

 

[rp2011]

Apple is run by spreadsheets first, innovation second. They have done a tremendous job with AirPods. They are not willing to make that effort with over - ears and it is a shame. We no longer have Airport routers because of this mentality. Yet, imagine what they could have incorporated in such a device, and expanded to be so much more, (built in HomePod and TV as well as smart home stuff and device backups), if they actually had some vision at the top that doesn’t involve cells and grids on a digital math book.

if that was true, they would not have released these ridiculous headphones nor most of their amazing products. Apple silicon, the watch, the iPhone, the worlds best laptops (by far) and the list goes on and on.

 

[iOStim]

There's a lot they could do with a real next gen - they could make them lighter, update the acoustics, resolve the condensation issue, add the latest wireless or H series chip, add haptic style buttons (Ala camera control) that were rumoured to be in the works for Gen 1, improve the microphone, improve the noise cancellation. I don't see wireless headphones going away and I think they had a great Gen 1, with lots of opportunity to iterate/refine.

 

[UMHurricanes34]

This is the sales-led Apple that Tim has built.

Old Apple would iterate until they cracked it or cancel the product. Not keep things in eternal limbo. See also Mac Pro.

 

[Johnny907]

Apple seems to do this. When they find themselves unable to cope with the class leaders, they just give up. Sony and Bose have pretty much sewn up the ANC overear market

Yup. Said this same thing on another forum yesterday: you don’t see APM’s in airports, gyms or coffee shops anymore. It’s all variations of Sony’s WH series or Bose’s QC line, in fun new colors.
Apple doesn’t update the APM because it’s a niche product anyway and it costs them nothing to keep selling what little stock they produce at the current price.
If they do update but keep the price the same, it’s just going to remain a niche product. If they update but drop the price, which has been the largest criticism against them, they’re just going to tick off those who bought in at the original price. Either way it’s a lose/lose for Apple vs just continuing to coast as they have been.

 

[gustaw94]

Hey ,
Just update the chipset to the newest one from upcoming AirPods Pro 3 and give me half of paycheck from people of AirPods R&D.
I’m definitely cheaper and faster than them 😂🤭💅

 

[michael666]

"a remarkably long time for an Apple product" to go without a real upgrade, Gurman notes.

"a perfectly normal time for headphones" to go without a real upgrade, michael666 notes.

 

[dustin_]

hey maybe they can pull a homepod — cancel them, then release a new downgraded model!