Apple released the first AirPods Max in December 2020, quickly earning praise for their luxurious design, comfort, and excellent sound quality. With over three years having passed since the launch of the original model, there’s growing anticipation for a new AirPods Max 2. While Apple hasn’t made any official announcements yet, various rumors and leaks have begun to emerge.
In this article, we’ve compiled all the latest rumors and leaks about Apple’s next-generation premium over-ear headphones. If you’re wondering when the AirPods Max 2 will be released or whether they’ll feature the H2 chipset, we’ve got you covered. Let’s dive into all the details!
AirPods Max 2 New Colors
The AirPods Max are celebrated for their chic design, which includes a mesh headband, sleek aluminum ear cups, and adjustable armbands. They are available in a range of attractive colors, including Space Gray, Pink, Silver, Green, and Sky Blue. The interchangeable ear cushions also allow users to mix and match different color combinations to suit their style. According to Mark Gurman, Apple plans to release the next-generation AirPods Max 2 in new color options, though he hasn’t revealed which shades will be included.
USB-C Connectivity
As Apple transitions to the USB-C standard in response to new EU regulations, many of its products, including the latest iPads, iPhones, and AirPods Pro, now feature USB-C connectors. The upcoming AirPods Max 2 is expected to follow this trend, with Mark Gurman reporting that it will include a USB-C port instead of the Lightning connector. While this marks a significant design update, the overall look of the AirPods Max 2 is likely to remain similar to the current model. We’re hopeful that the new headphones will be slightly lighter and come with an updated Smart Case.
Touch Controls
According to a patent uncovered by Patently Apple, Apple may be developing touch controls for the AirPods Max 2. The patent details a method for “processing gestures on a touch-sensitive surface,” and notably, the digital crown present on the current AirPods Max is not shown in the diagrams. This indicates that the new AirPods Max model might include custom touch controls. Although the patent, published in February 2022, outlines these touch controls for future AirPods Max models, there’s no confirmation yet that they will be included in the AirPods Max 2 or any subsequent versions.
Same Older H1 Chipset
The original AirPods Max are equipped with Apple’s H1 chipset. Given that it’s been over three years since their release, it would be logical for the AirPods Max 2 to upgrade to the H2 chipset. This upgrade could offer enhanced sound quality, advanced features, and better battery life compared to the current model. However, despite the H2 chipset being available in the AirPods Pro 2, Apple might opt to retain the older H1 chip for the new AirPods Max model.
Mark Gurman suggests that Apple might not be ready to include the H2 chipset in the AirPods Max 2. If the new model continues to use the H1 chip, it might miss out on newer features like Adaptive Audio, Personalised Volume, and Conversation Awareness, which require the H2 chipset found in the AirPods Pro 2.
Additionally, a rumor circulating on Chinese social media, as reported by MacRumors, suggests that the AirPods Max 2 may not include Adaptive Audio because it will continue to use the H1 chipset.
Given that the second-generation AirPods Max will debut nearly four years after the original model, it ould make sense for Apple to reconsider this decision and include the latest features to satisfy its fans.
Support for Lossless Audio
With the AirPods Pro 2 supporting lossless audio, it’s reasonable to anticipate that the AirPods Max 2 might also include this feature. Additionally, a significant patent discovered by Patently Apple reveals Apple’s intentions to develop a new high-quality optical audio transmission technology aimed at enhancing Spatial Audio experiences.
However, this technology is not expected to replace Bluetooth as the primary transmission method. As of now, it is not confirmed that this feature will be included in the AirPods Max 2; it may instead appear in a future model.
AirPods Max 2: Release Date Rumors
On December 15, 2020 apple released its first AirPods Max. Unlike its iPhones and Apple Watches, Apple doesn’t follow a set schedule for AirPods updates. For instance, the AirPods Pro 2 launched in September 2022, three years after the original AirPods Pro debuted in October 2019. As a result, predicting the release date of the AirPods Max 2 is challenging.
However, with the current AirPods Max starting to look a bit outdated, an update seems imminent. Mark Gurman predicts that the AirPods Max 2 will be unveiled in late 2024. Analysts Ming-Chi Kuo and Jeff Pu have also suggested a similar timeline, indicating that the nearly four-year wait for an update may soon come to an end.
AirPods Max 2: Price Predictions
Currently, there is no information available about the price of the AirPods Max 2. The original AirPods Max debuted with a steep price of $549. Despite regular discounts of around $100, they remain pricier than many high-end alternatives from brands like Sony and Bose. It’s unlikely that Apple will release the new model at a lower price than its predecessor, so significant price drops are not expected.
That’s all we know about the AirPods Max 2 at this time. We’ll continue to update this as new rumors and information emerge. Stay tuned!
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