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Apple AirPods Max 2 rumors: Everything we want to see in Apple's next headphones
- Apple didn't reveal the AirPods Max 2 at its September 9th event. Instead, it updated the original AirPods Max with USB-C and some new colors.
Apple has been vying for our ears for years, and the AirPods Max made quite the splash in 2020. Over three years later, these expensive headphones still have some of the best noise canceling around. Unfortunately, the updated AirPods Max left many desirable upgrades at the wayside and there is no official word on the Apple AirPods Max 2. However, the company has been awarded a few patents over the last three years that may suggest the next AirPods over-ear headphones will have a few new tricks. Here’s everything we know about the AirPods Max (2nd generation).
Will there be an Apple AirPods Max 2 series?
The AirPods Max (2nd generation) are a certainty, but fans may have to wait another four years. While many were itching for a feature-rich upgrade, Apple’s modest AirPods Max update only brings USB-C charging and five new colors. The AirPods Max Gen 2 made no mention at the company’s ‘It’s Glowtime’ event on September 9, 2024.
What is the most likely release date for the Apple AirPods Max 2?
Before the updated AirPods Max launched on September 9, 2024, many industry analysts expected a large upgrade from Apple. For example, trusted Apple insider Ming-Chi Kuo reported that the new AirPods Max would reach our ears by mid-2024 or early 2025. Kuo also shared that the AirPods assembly may change hands from GoerTek to Hong Teng. This change could be attributed to the delayed release of the updated AirPods Max. Mark Gurman concurred, sharing that Apple’s flagship headphones would come to market in 2024. Both were right. However, Apple did not deliver the AirPods Max 2. Instead, it relaunched its first-generation over-ear headphones with two modest upgrades.
Apple usually debuts its new headphones alongside its latest smartphones. Given the company has already unveiled the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus, we shouldn’t expect the AirPods Max 2 until at least next year. However, we will likely not see new flagship Apple over-ear headphones for another four years. For reference, Apple announced the original AirPods Max on December 8, 2020. The updated AirPods Max launched on September 20, 2024. We may have to wait until 2028 for the AirPods Max (2nd generation).
What features and specs could the Apple AirPods Max (2nd generation) have?
The AirPods Max 2 will have many of the same features as the AirPods Max, including noise canceling and a similar build. Here’s what we surmise will change with the next-gen AirPods Max.
Design
Apple’s debut over-ear headphones use premium materials that stand out from other flagships’ plastic housings. When the AirPods Max 2 come to fruition, we can expect distinctive materials and a set of new colorways.
The AirPods Max 2 may come with a fully enclosed Smart Case.
Apple is shifting its products from Lightning to USB-C charging. For example, the updated AirPods Max house a USB-C charging port. We expect the AirPods Max 2 to follow suit, making them a little friendlier to Android phone owners.
According to Apple’s patent US-11381892-B1, we could see an upgraded Smart Case. Frankly, anything would be an improvement, and the patent shows a traditional-style, all-encompassing case with a flexible magnetic clasp to keep it shut. It will likely have the same functionality as the original Smart Case — forcing the AirPods Max 2 into low-power mode.
The AirPods Max 2 may ditch the Digital Crown on the AirPods Max in favor of some unique touch controls. Patent US-10721550-B2 from Apple covers a gesture-based touch system that’s supposed to work in conjunction with the headphones’ orientation. If the AirPods Max 2 rest against the user’s neck, they may interpret a swipe gesture differently than if worn upright. Controls like this would take some getting used to.
Software features
Like the AirPods Max before them, the AirPods Max 2 will likely have many Apple-exclusive features. For example, listeners should enjoy one-step pairing and auto-switching between Apple devices. Users should also receive advanced location services through Apple’s Find My app. This is likely given the company’s high-end AirPods 4 charging case includes speakers for Find My alerts.
The AirPods Max house an H1 chip in each ear cup, and the AirPods Max 2 will likely replace the H1 chips with H2 chips for improved noise canceling and greater processing power. However, to many people’s surprise, the updated AirPods Max retain Apple’s H1 chip. According to Mark Gurman, only the company’s flagship AirPods Pro look set to host an updated chip. Nevertheless, we expect the AirPods Max 2 to host Adaptive EQ, personalized Apple Spatial Audio, and head tracking.
H2 chips should allow the AirPods Max 2 to support the latest features of the AirPods Pro 2. These include nod-and-shake interactions, voice isolation, and personalized spatial audio for games. Interactions mean you can answer and decline calls hands-free by nodding or shaking your head. Voice isolation uses the more powerful processing power of Apple’s H2 chip to block out more unwanted background noise while taking calls. Finally, personalized spatial audio in games will mean you can enjoy all your favorite mobile games in a 360-degree surround sound audio sphere.
The AirPods Max 2 will likely use even more machine learning to automatically tune the listening experience to your habits and surroundings.
We could also see Adaptive Audio, Conversational Awareness, and Personalized Volume. Adaptive Audio processes your environmental sounds and enables a hybrid mix of ANC and Transparency pass-through. This mode will tailor the listening experience as you move from one environment to another. With Conversational Awareness, the AirPods Max 2 may sense when you speak. The headphones should then immediately decrease the volume of your audio content, reduce background noise, and enhance the voices of people directly in front of you. We’re eager to see Conversation Awareness on the AirPods Max 2, but it’s nothing new. Personalized Volume would learn the volume levels you prefer in certain environmental conditions and automatically apply those levels when you enter those spaces. This would reduce the number of times you interact with the headphones or your phone to change the volume.
Noise canceling and audio quality.
As we’ve come to expect with iterative upgrades, the AirPods Max 2 should boast better noise canceling than the AirPods Max. Unfortunately, we don’t yet know to what degree. In 2022, the US Patent and Trademark Office approved another of Apple’s patents (US-11250833-B1) to reduce feedback (“audio howl”.) This would improve the user experience by eliminating any perceptible feedback when using ANC or transparency mode with the AirPods Max 2.
The frequency response probably won’t change significantly with the AirPods Max 2. However, we may see improved data rates, with the ability to receive 24-bit or lossless Bluetooth audio. During an interview with What Hi-Fi, Apple’s VP of Acoustics, Gary Geaves, shared that the company has been working around Bluetooth’s limitations but wants more bandwidth. Like Samsung, Apple may have its own 24-bit Bluetooth audio solution.
How much might the Apple AirPods Max 2 cost?
The AirPods Max originally retailed for $549; we expect the same for the AirPods Max 2. For example, Apple has kept the price the same for its upgraded AirPods Max. It also retained the price for the first and second-generation AirPods Pro. It would make sense for the first and second-gen AirPods Max to share the same price too.
Admittedly, $549 is expensive for headphones, and the lowest promotional price for the AirPods Max seen is $429. The AirPods Max 2 should follow a similar promo-price pattern as the AirPods Max.
Apple AirPods Max 2: What we want to see
The AirPods Max are premium headphones, but some basic improvements would take them to the next level — starting with a headphone jack (the analog type.)
A headphone jack and passive USB-C audio
Apple was one of the first key players to remove the headphone jack from its phones. Subsequently, it released the AirPods Max with no headphone jack. Those with the original generation must purchase a Lightning-to-3.5mm (male) cable for $35. On top of that, you’ll need a (female) 3.5mm-to-Lightning dongle to plug into your iPhone. This chain converts the digital audio output signal from your iPhone to an analog one, back to a digital one, and then back to analog inside the headphones. These conversions add latency and can introduce distortion, noise, and loss of detail. The updated AirPods Max uses USB-C for wired digital audio, but you must purchase a USB-C-to-3.5mm adapter for $9 if you rely on a headphone jack.
A headphone jack would make wired listening so much easier.
Unfortunately, the updated AirPods Max do not work in passive mode; once the battery is dead, you cannot stream music over USB-C. However, Apple’s latest iPhones have adopted USB-C ports, and the headphones should be compatible with other devices. This would mean you should only need a USB-C to USB-C cable to enjoy wired, lossless digital audio with the AirPods Max 2.
Longer battery life
Officially, the AirPods Max have a 20-hour battery life with ANC enabled. Our standardized battery test subjected the headphones to constant music playback peaking at 75dB(SPL.) Under these conditions, the AirPods Max exceeded this by almost an hour. This is impressive, but less so by today’s standards. For reference, the Sony WH-1000XM5 and Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless lasted more than 31 hours and 56 hours, respectively, in our testing.
Improved microphone quality
The AirPods Max have good microphone quality when speaking in ideal conditions. However, the noise suppression isn’t as good as flagships like the Sony WH-1000XM5. Improving microphone performance on the AirPods Max 2 could attract more remote workers and those stuck in regular Zoom calls.
You can compare how the Sony WH-1000XM5 and AirPods Max mics sound below.
Apple AirPods Max microphone demo (Street conditions):
Sony WH-1000XM5 microphone demo (Street conditions):
Apple AirPods Max microphone demo (Windy conditions):
Sony WH-1000XM5 microphone demo (Windy conditions):
Adaptive Transparency mode
The AirPods Max have Transparency mode, allowing environmental sounds to pass into the headphones. When you enable Transparency mode on the AirPods Max, you can simultaneously hear your music and the environment. This lets you tune into traffic and train platform announcements without removing the headphones.
Transparency mode is a great safety feature, but the AirPods Max will be that much better with Apple’s Adaptive Transparency mode. This mode is more advanced and can reduce the loudness of sounds greater than 85dB (e.g., a construction drill.) Adaptive Transparency mode on the AirPods Pro 2 promotes more comfortable pass-through listening than the more pedestrian Transparency mode.
Improved durability
The AirPods Max are sturdy, beautifully constructed headphones. However, they lack an IP rating. While few over-ear headphones have water-resistant ratings, adding something as minor as an IPX2 rating would further differentiate the AirPods Max 2 from other flagship cans. Additionally, unexpected rainstorms and drizzles happen. Knowing that the AirPods Max 2 will be okay after light rain exposure before you can sheath them in the case would be a huge relief. After all, we don’t want a few raindrops to take out your $549 investment!
Frequently asked questions
While Apple unveiled the updated AirPods Max on September 9, 2024, these cans do not constitute the AirPods Max 2. We may have to wait another four years for Apple to bring the second-generation AirPods Max to fruition.
Like most consumer headphones, the AirPods Max 2 are unlikely to wear an IP-rated build. This means the headphones will be susceptible to water and dust damage.
Apple’s updated AirPods Max house a USB-C port for charging and wired listening. However, it is not passive, so audio cannot be transmitted when the battery runs flat. Nevertheless, fans can listen with wires for lossless-quality USB-C-to-USB-C audio. Regarding Bluetooth, Apple’s VP of Acoustics, Gary Geaves, shared in an interview with What Hi-Fi that the company has been working around Bluetooth’s limitations. Apple may develop its own 24-bit lossless Bluetooth audio solution.
Apple unveiled the AirPods 4 and updated AirPods Max over-ear headphones in 2024. Trusted industry analysts Ming-Chi Kuo and Mark Gurman expect the AirPods Pro 3 to arrive in 2025.
The new AirPods Max 2 should come equipped with a list of updated features. For example, patents approved by the US Patent and Trademark Office show the AirPods Max 2 will own a gesture-based touch system, an upgraded Smart Case, and the ability to reduce feedback. The AirPods Max 2 should also use Apple’s more powerful H2 chip to bring Adaptive Transparency Mode, Conversational Awareness, Personalized Volume, nod-and-shake interactions, voice isolation, and personalized spatial audio for games.