New AirPods Max rumored to hit shelves in 2024 without giant feature changes

AppleInsiderAppleInsider
Posted:
in Future Apple Hardware edited February 20

A new rumor suggests that Apple will be refreshing its AirPods Max before the year ends -- but only to swap out its Lightning port.

AirPods Max
AirPods Max



Apple released its high-end AirPods Max in 2020 and still hasn't released a second generation yet. However, a recent social media post suggests that Apple is preparing to release an updated version.

In a post on social media platform Weibo, spotted by MacRumors, Instant Digital said that the AirPods Max will "definitely come out this year."

Credit: Instant Digital on Weibo
Credit: Instant Digital on Weibo



However, they predict that the only real change will be that the headphones will swap the Lightning port for USB-C, likely to comply with international laws.

Like other rumors we've heard, Instant Digital predicts that the chip very well could still be the H1, and says that the refreshed AirPods Max will not get Adaptive Audio.

Adaptive Audio utilizes both Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency modes to provide an intelligent mix of audio. It uses external noise to determine the appropriate audio mix for any given moment, whether it's cancelling loud engine noise or improving voice capture for conversations. The feature is currently exclusive to the second-generation AirPods Pro.

Rumor Score: Likely

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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 8
    entropysentropys Posts: 4,168member
    The most needed features:
    1. a big drop in price
    2. usbc (both charging and data)
    3. fold up for more compact travel
    4. a compact, full body case
    5. a big drop in price


    deckert63dewmemuthuk_vanalingamgrandact73beowulfschmidtwatto_cobra
  • Reply 2 of 8
    deckert63deckert63 Posts: 5member
    I do think it will receive a new chip along with USB-C. 

    But - the most important feature will a much better way to collapse the headset into a much better case.

    Today's version is more Apple telling you to just wear it 100% of the time because the case is crap. Come to think of it - I think they did the same thing with the AVP carrying case. It really feels the whole "case design department" should be fired. 
    chasmwatto_cobra
  • Reply 3 of 8
    chasmchasm Posts: 3,308member
    entropys said:
    The most needed features:
    1. a big drop in price
    2. usbc (both charging and data)
    3. fold up for more compact travel
    4. a compact, full body case
    5. a big drop in price


    1. Likely for the leftover stock of first-gen, unlikely otherwise. The first gen seems to have sold rather well.

    2. Yep

    3. Nope, as that would require a redesign. Did you read the article?

    4. Could be offered as an extra accessory, but no chance of being included

    5. See also point 1.
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 4 of 8
    AppleishAppleish Posts: 692member
    My pair collects dust. AirPods Pro 2 were a shockingly big sound quality upgrade over v1. The AP2s sound almost as good as the Max and are a Lot easier to wear and carry.

    I was hoping for some big technology upgrades for Max 2, including some flavor of wireless lossless sound. If not, I'm done with that product.
    xyzzy01watto_cobra
  • Reply 5 of 8
    xyzzy01xyzzy01 Posts: 134member
    That would be disappointing.

    USB C is a given - it should have been used on the first release, but now they've finally migrated the iPhone off the obsolete Lightning port as well.

    Not updating it with the latest chips would be disappointing, especially in what is their highest-end offering.

    What I would like:

    1) Lossless sound - it's a marquee feature of Apple Music, and your best headset isn't good enough to use it. Fix that.
    2) Support sound via a USB C cable, not just bluetooth. Would be great on e.g. planes for the on-board entertainment. Could also help with 1).
    3) Better noise cancellation. The competition has improved, so should Apple.
    4) Better case
    5) Off button. The "we'll handle everything via autodetect" has issues, an on/off button is an easy way to fix that. The current way too often results in a need to re-pair with e.g. the office PC.

    If I'm dreaming, multiple, simultaneous connections would be great - so it could stay connected to the Windows PC while I listen to music from my iPhone, to give one example. Having to re-connect manually whenever someone wants to talk on Teams is annoying.

    EDIT: Forgot the most important thing - weatherproofing. It could start raining while you're out wearing your headset, that shouldn't have a destructive potential.


    edited February 21
  • Reply 6 of 8
    entropysentropys Posts: 4,168member
    Connecting it a windows PC the same was it just works with Apple devices would be great. Precisely because of that MS Teams issue (or any video conferencing activity when it comes to that).

    I won’t hold my breath.
    edited February 21 watto_cobra
  • Reply 7 of 8
    MarvinMarvin Posts: 15,327moderator
    Appleish said:
    My pair collects dust. AirPods Pro 2 were a shockingly big sound quality upgrade over v1. The AP2s sound almost as good as the Max and are a Lot easier to wear and carry.

    I was hoping for some big technology upgrades for Max 2, including some flavor of wireless lossless sound. If not, I'm done with that product.
    An in-between product might be worthwhile, the headphone form factor still has advantages over buds in some cases. More secure when running. Something like the AirPods Pro 2 on the end of a foldable/collapsible metal headphone band where the ends sit in the hollow (concha) of the ear and cushioned with a noise seal rather than inserted like buds. Price would be closer to AirPods Pro 2.




    watto_cobra
  • Reply 8 of 8
    alandailalandail Posts: 755member
    It makes no sense for it to not have the H2 chip for Vision Pro. Quite clearly Apple would update that along with USB-C.

    Vision Pro + AirPods Max = prefect airplane movie theater.
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