Apple’s AirPods Max have turn out to be one thing of an oddity within the firm’s lineup. The high-end cans had been launched in late 2020 to a lot fanfare, however 4 and a half years later, they continue to be largely unchanged, with a 2024 replace that added a USB-C port and little else.
There have been some modest software program enhancements over time, together with the current addition of wired USB-C lossless audio — an replace that restored the wi-fi listening function the USB-C AirPods Max misplaced over their predecessors whereas including full lossless high quality within the combine. Nonetheless, the AirPods Max have additionally been neglected of lots of the different AirPods software program options due to their older H1 chips.
In the meantime, Apple not directly provides the Beats Studio Professional with practically all of the options of the AirPods Max. About the one factor they’re lacking is the upper price ticket and the Apple model.
There’s been a way that in the present day’s AirPods Max are probably all they’ll ever be. They don’t promote nicely sufficient to justify Apple investing in enhancements, but they’re additionally profitable sufficient to maintain in the marketplace of their present type.
Nonetheless, Apple is reportedly engaged on a brand new mannequin of its AirPods Max that might acquire at the very least one enchancment: a discount in weight. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo signifies that there’s a “lighter model” anticipated to enter mass manufacturing in 2027, though he doesn’t provide any element on what else Apple might need in retailer for its premium cans.
The AirPods Max are among the many heftiest headphones in the marketplace, due to their aluminum development. Apple’s over-ear headphones are available in at 386 grams — practically a pound. That’s 30% heavier than its nearest contender, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wi-fi, and over 50% in comparison with the Sony WH-1000XM and Bose QuietComfort fashions.
For sure, a lighter weight could be a welcome change for a lot of, though it’s not clear how Apple plans to perform this. The present aluminum design provides a premium really feel that the majority rival headphones can’t match (even when they sound significantly higher and supply extra options).
Apple will probably need to make some substantial design adjustments to scale back the load, through which case the 2027 AirPods Max may very well be a extra important replace. By then, we hope Apple might be prepared to maneuver away from the H1 chip to the H2 or past. This may permit them to help iOS options which are presently out there on different AirPods, resembling Adaptive Audio, Arms-free Siri interactions, Dialog Consciousness, and Voice Isolation.
In November, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman stated Apple had no concrete plans to replace the headphones in any significant means. In fact, that was then, and that is now; plans can change. Nonetheless, as with most early rumors, we’d suggest taking this one with a wholesome dose of salt. Kuo’s data comes from Apple’s provide chain, so it’s not all the time correct, particularly this far upfront.
[The information provided in this article has NOT been confirmed by Apple and may be speculation. Provided details may not be factual. Take all rumors, tech or otherwise, with a grain of salt.]