Apple’s AirPods Max 2: In Abstract
- The AirPods Max launched in December 2020, though a minor replace introduced USB-C and a few new colours in 2024.
- A software program replace in March 2025 added assist for 24-bit, 48 kHz Apple Lossless and Extremely-Low Latency Audio when utilizing the AirPods Max related by way of USB-C.
- AirPods Max lack: H2 chip, Adaptive Audio, Dialog Consciousness, Voice Isolation, Spacial Audio, Stay Translation, water resistance, and Bluetooth 5.3.
Up to now couple of years Apple has launched the AirPods 4(in September 2024) and the AirPods Professional 3 (in September 2025), however it’s been virtually 5 years for the reason that AirPods Max debuted in December 2020. Since then Apple has merely up to date the colour choices and altered the adapter from Lightning to USB-C. The AirPods Max is in want of an replace, so the place is it?
Properly, in keeping with typically correct analyst Ming Chi Kuo, tweeting again in Could 2025, the brand new AirPods Max received’t enter manufacturing till 2027, so we might be in for a protracted wait.
Whereas we look forward to the AirPods Max 2 to launch we’ll preserve monitor of all of the rumors right here, so learn on for the newest information concerning the subsequent era of Apple’s AirPods.
At a look: What to anticipate from the AirPods Max 2
- New lighter design.
- Higher noise cancellation.
- H2 or H3 chip.
- Adaptive Audio and different AirPods Professional options.
- Not anticipated till late 2026 or 2027.
AirPods Max 2: Design
Jason Cross/IDG
There have been quite a few complaints concerning the design of the AirPods Max over time, with a lighter design and a extra protecting case the highest requests.
We haven’t heard any rumors to counsel that Apple will dramatically change the design, however in Could 2025, Ming-Chi Kuo reported that Apple is engaged on a “lighter” model for launch in 2027, however supplied no specifics.
A lot of AirPods Max’s rivals from Bose, Sony, and even Beats are considerably lighter because of a plastic design. For instance, the Beats Studio Professional weigh 260 grams in comparison with 384 grams for the AirPods Max. It’s unlikely Apple will deviate very removed from its iconic aluminum development, although.
There may adjustments to the Good Case, the design of which isn’t thought of protecting sufficient. As we famous in our evaluation of the AirPods Max, the case is “Unwell-conceived and poorly executed,” and it wants a complete redesign for AirPods Max 2 with extra safety and a sleeker design. There haven’t been any rumors a couple of new Good Case, though Apple was granted a patent again in 2022 that means a completely enclosed case might be within the pipeline.
AirPods Max 2: Sound
Again in September 2024, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman predicted that new AirPods Max would launch with noise cancellation and adaptive audio. Sadly the replace was solely the addition of USB-C and greater than a 12 months later we’re nonetheless ready for the opposite options.
Whereas the AirPods Max can now ship Lossless audio by way of the USB-C cable, due to a March 2025 replace, they’re missing in some ways compared to different AirPods and the competitors, corresponding to Sony or Sennheiser who’ve lengthy supplied Lossless and even high-resolution wi-fi.
The present AirPods Max are lacking quite a few options which might be accessible within the AirPods Professional 2, together with Adaptive Audio, precision EQ management, Conversion Consciousness and Enhance, Listening to Safety, and a excessive dynamic vary amplifier, amongst different options.
We count on Apple to ultimately handle these shortcomings within the AirPods Max 2 with an H2 or H3 chip. This might permit for assist for options corresponding to Energetic Noise Cancellation, Adaptive Transparency Mode, Listening to Safety, Personalised Spatial Audio, in addition to Siri Interactions like nodding or shaking the pinnacle.
Future adaptive sound modes may dynamically detect on a regular basis conditions and alter the sound accordingly. For instance, the automated activation of profiles for a morning commute within the subway or a relaxed film evening on the sofa.
A patent was granted in 2022 that pertains to lowered “audio howl” or audio suggestions on the AirPods Max, although its not clear how this to use to future AirPods.
Apple has filed patents referring to the AirPods Max since they launched.
AirPods Max 2: Battery life
At present the AirPods Max have a good 20 hours of battery life with ANC on. Nonetheless, this doesn’t match the competitors (see our opinions of the finest over ear headphones), that are in a position to provide extra battery life. For instance, the Sonos Ace gives a 30 hour battery life.
AirPods Mac 2: Specs
Mud, sweat, and water resistance – presently non-existent – might be improved.
The addition of the U2 chip (discovered within the AirPods Professional 3) for exact place monitoring with Discover My can be probably.
Bluetooth within the AirPods Max is Bluetooth 5.0 reasonably than Bluetooth 5.3 within the AirPods Professional 3, Professional 2, and AirPods 4. Bluetooth LE Audio is turning into the trade commonplace and will imply improved audio high quality and vitality effectivity by means of the brand new LC3 codec. This might permit the AirPods Max to transmit stereo and multi-channel sound with low latency to each earcups. Vary and pairing throughout a number of units would additionally enhance.
AirPods Max 2: Launch date
In September 2024, Apple swapped the Lightning port for USB-C and launched a set of latest colours for the AirPods Max, however that was all that modified.
Indications are that we’ll be ready till a minimum of 2026 for an replace—and probably as late as 2027, in keeping with analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
AirPods Max 2: Value
At $549/£499, the AirPods Max are Apple’s costliest AirPods, greater than double the AirPods Professional.
They’re additionally costly when in comparison with a few of the competitors, with a few of the alternate options we’ve got checked out costing a lot much less. e.g. The Beats Studio Professional at $349.99/£349.99 and the Bose Quiet Consolation Extremely at $449/£449.95. The Bowers & Wilkins Px8 value extra at $749/£529.
We haven’t heard any rumors about pricing for the 2nd-gen AirPods Max, however we don’t count on any important cuts, however maybe the U.S. worth may drop to $499. It appears Apple can demand the next worth due to its chip ecosystem: coupling, machine administration and integration into your entire Apple universe being wanted options.
For now, count on to see some good offers on the AirPods Max that are not often offered at Apple’s really helpful worth.
