As reported in Mark Gurman’s latest Power On newsletter, Apple currently has no substantial plans to upgrade the AirPods Max following the release of the USB-C model this year. If you were expecting a major update featuring a new chip, enhanced noise cancellation, or other enhancements, you may be disappointed.
Initially launched in December 2020 at a premium price of $549, the AirPods Max have remained unchanged for nearly four years. Although a USB-C variant with some new color options was introduced in September 2024, there hasn’t been an upgrade to the H2 chip, adaptive audio, or any significant improvements.
According to Gurman, the current pricing of AirPods Max at $549 doesn’t seem to warrant Apple’s investment:
The headphones aren’t popular enough to justify heavy investment in their development, yet they aren’t failing enough to be discontinued completely. If you’ve visited a high-end gym in cities like Los Angeles or New York, you’ll notice that these $550 headphones do have their fan base—even with their steep price tag and outdated features.
Gurman suggests that Apple will likely maintain the AirPods Max as they are for the “foreseeable future,” indicating that a major update may be several years away.
It seems logical for Apple to reduce the price of AirPods Max to boost sales, but there isn’t a strong motivation for them to do so at this time.
Hopefully, the AirPods Max won’t languish on Apple’s website for four years like the first version did, but indications suggest we might see that happen.
What are your thoughts on the AirPods Max as they stand? Share your opinions in the comments.
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