Apple launched its first AirPods Max in December 2020. These premium over-ear headphones quickly became popular for their luxurious design, comfort, and exceptional sound quality. With over three years since the original release, there are strong indications that a new AirPods Max 2 may be on the way. Although there’s no official announcement yet, various rumors and leaks have begun to emerge.
This article summarizes the rumors and leaks about Apple’s upcoming premium over-ear headphones. If you’re wondering about the release date for the AirPods Max 2 or whether they will feature the H2 chipset, we have all the details you need. Let’s dive in!
New Colors of AirPods Max 2
The current AirPods Max feature a stylish mesh headband, sleek aluminum cups, and adjustable armbands, available in attractive colors like Space Gray, Pink, Silver, Green, and Sky Blue. With interchangeable ear cushions, users can customize their look. Mark Gurman reports that Apple will release the next-gen AirPods Max 2 with new color options, though he did not specify the shades.
USB-C Connectivity
With the EU’s mandate for USB-C, Apple is transitioning most of its products, including the latest iPads, iPhones, and AirPods Pro, to this standard. The upcoming AirPods Max 2 is expected to feature a USB-C connector instead of the Lightning port, as reported by Mark Gurman. This represents a significant design change for the AirPods Max 2, although the overall design is likely to remain unchanged. We hope the new model will be slightly lighter than the current version and include a redesigned Smart Case.
Touch Controls
A patent uncovered by Patently Apple indicates that Cupertino is developing Touch Controls for AirPods Max 2. The patent figures primarily illustrate the technique of “processing gestures on a touch-sensitive surface”. The absence of the digital crown in the patent diagrams suggests a new AirPods Max model may feature custom touch controls. The patent was originally published in February 2022 and depicts touch controls on future AirPods Max.There is no evidence that these controls will be included in the AirPods Max 2 or future models.
Same Older Chipset
The original AirPods Max use Apple’s H1 chipset, and after more than three years, it would be logical for AirPods Max 2 to adopt the H2 chipset for enhanced sound quality, advanced features, and better battery life. However, despite the H2 chipset being available in AirPods Pro 2, Apple may still opt for the older H1 chip in the new AirPods Max model.
Mark Gurman indicates that Apple might not be ready to incorporate the latest technology in AirPods Max 2. If the model uses the H1 chip, it will lack Adaptive Audio features like Personalised Volume and Conversation Awareness, which require the H2 chip found in AirPods Pro 2.
Also, there was a rumor on Chinese social media (reported by MacRumors), asserting that the AirPods Max 2 do not have Adaptive Audio due to their use of the same H1 chipset.
With the second-generation AirPods Max launching nearly four years after the original, Apple should consider changing its plans to satisfy fans.
Support for Lossless Audio
With AirPods Pro 2 now supporting lossless audio, it’s reasonable to anticipate similar capabilities in the upcoming AirPods Max 2. Notably, a recent patent uncovered by Patently Apple reveals Apple’s intention to develop new high-quality optical audio transmission technology aimed at enhancing the Spatial Audio experience on AirPods.
While this technology may be introduced, Bluetooth will remain the primary connection method for devices. Currently, it is not guaranteed that the AirPods Max 2 will feature this technology; Apple may release an updated model in the future.
AirPods Max 2: Date Rumors
Apple released the first AirPods Max on December 15, 2020. Unlike its iPhones and Apple Watches, Apple lacks a regular release schedule for AirPods. The AirPods Pro 2 debuted in September 2022, three years after the original AirPods Pro launched in October 2019, making the release timeline for new AirPods Max 2 uncertain. However, given that the AirPods Max appear somewhat outdated, an update seems imminent.
Mark Gurman predicts that AirPods Max 2 will be available in late 2024. Analysts Ming-Chi Kuo and Jeff Pu also suggest a similar release timeframe. This means the nearly four-year wait for new AirPods Max may soon come to an end.
AirPods Max 2: Pricing Forecasts
We currently do not know the price of the AirPods Max 2. The original model debuted at a steep $549. While regular discounts of about $100 are common, the AirPods Max remain pricier than comparable high-end models from brands like Sony and Bose. It’s also unlikely that Apple will price the new version lower than its predecessor, leaving little hope for a price drop.
That’s all we know about the AirPods Max 2 for now. We’ll continue to update this as more rumors emerge, so stay tuned!
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