Apple AirPods Max 2: release date, specs and price

Contemplating Apple has a status for releasing product updates each couple of years, it’s considerably stunning that we’re but to be handled to the second era of the vastly widespread Apple AirPods Max.

The AirPods Max represented Apple’s first foray into the over-ear headphones market after they launched in 2020, having already taken the wi-fi earbud market by storm with the AirPods and AirPods Professional.

A chic mix of dependable battery life, consolation, cinematic spatial audio, unimaginable sound high quality and exquisite design made the Airpods Max the most popular headphones on the market. Even on the high-end value of £549.

Nonetheless, in what’s slightly out of character for Apple, followers are nonetheless patiently ready for the second era Apple Airpods Max. Present rumors, although, recommend the wait could also be over fairly quickly.

When will Apple AirPods Max 2 arrive?

There are not any concrete dates for when Apple followers can get their fingers on the AirPods Max 2, however a number of rumors are circulating that we would have the ability to count on a brand new Max version within the latter levels of 2024.

That’s in accordance with Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who claimed earlier this yr {that a} new edition of the AirPods Max is more likely to launch alongside a more recent, extra reasonably priced model of earbuds, which he believes is due later in 2024.

(4/5)
The following-generation AirPods will doubtless start mass shipments in 2H24 or 1H25, together with extra reasonably priced AirPods (with Apple concentrating on a value of $99) and new AirPods Max, which will likely be assembled by Luxshare ICT and Hon Teng.

— 郭明錤 (Ming-Chi Kuo) (@mingchikuo) January 12, 2023

Apple has a historical past of constructing us look ahead to AirPods Max releases, although. Earlier than formally launching in December, it was anticipated they might debut a few months earlier alongside the launch of the iPhone 12. That didn’t occur attributable to “problems” and followers had been made to attend a pair extra months.

However a three-year look ahead to a contemporary improve is uncommon, which is fuelling rumors of an imminent announcement at some point of 2024.

How will the Apple AirPods Max 2 look?

No matter upgrades are in line for the Airpods Max 2, you possibly can wager the general design, appear and feel will likely be smooth, snug and attention-grabbing. That’s what we’ve come to count on from Apple ever for the reason that launch of the iMac G3 in 1998.

As we’re nonetheless comparatively in the dead of night in regards to the subsequent version of the Max, we’re having to depend on insider hypothesis to get an image of what we would count on after they do ultimately arrive.

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has fueled lots of the rumors on this space with a number of feedback in an October 2023 newsletter, through which he additionally echoes the views of Kuo relating to a possible launch date. He largely hints at new colours and the introduction of USB-C charging.

The colour vary

Firstly, there’s the colour vary. The Airpods Max is accessible in Silver, Blue, Area Gray, Pink and Inexperienced. Gurman believes an “AirPods Max refresh with new colours” is on the horizon. That has fuelled rumors that the tech big are contemplating introducing Yellow, Orange and Purple to the vary, whereas it’s additionally being whispered {that a} Product (Crimson) version. Some imagine the brand new colours could also be in sync with these of the upcoming iPhone 16, which can be anticipated to debut later this yr.

USB charging

Elsewhere, the rumored introduction of USB-C charging is arguably the least stunning rumor of all. Apple introduced the USB-C connections on the brand new iPhone 15 and charging cases for the Airpods Pro 2 in December 2023, so it’s an inexpensive assumption to make that it is going to be current in all Apple merchandise sooner or later.

Contact controls

In the meantime, there may be discuss that Apple is making modifications to the Max’s management mechanism, transferring nearer in the direction of contact controls as an alternative of constant with the present Digital Crown. This will likely come as music to the ears (pun meant) to present Max homeowners who discover themselves knocking the Digital Crown when adjusting them.

The carry case

And eventually, on to the carry case. Whereas the AirPods Max’s design wowed followers, their protecting case has come underneath some criticism. Notably for not being very protecting. Fortunately, a patent uncovered in the summer of 2022, seems to recommend Apple is engaged on a extra substantial and sturdy case that makes use of a magnetic clasp.

This factors in the direction of an precise case, versus what can solely be described as a wrap-around cowl we now have immediately.

What are the Apple Airpods Max 2 specs?

The primary version AirPods Max arrived filled with top-of-the-range specs and options, together with lively noise-cancellation (ANC), adaptive EQ, spatial audio with dynamic head-tracking and two H1 Apple chips.

That’s rather a lot to stay as much as and enhance on in a second version, however rumors level in the direction of Apple engaged on making a number of important enhancements.

Firstly, there are enhancements to ANC, with a current AirPods Max patent referring to “audio howl” detection, with Apple trying to enhance on methods to raised mitigate undesirable suggestions that’s usually created by ANC microphones.

Elsewhere, there are whispers that Apple could be engaged on a option to ship wi-fi lossless audio by way of better-than-Bluetooth audio transmission expertise. If true and, after all, if it’s included within the Max, this can doubtless revolutionize the standard of moveable wi-fi audio.

There’s at present no noise surrounding what chip the Airpods Max 2 will use, however we will make an inexpensive assumption that the H2 chip could be launched to exchange the H1 chips within the first version Max. The H2 chip is already integrated within the Airpods Professional 2. That mentioned, there a no ensures.

Different rumored options embrace the brand new “Discover My” function, which can permit homeowners to find their headphones by way of using their iPhone, and a probable IPX score, which implies the Airpods Max 2 will likely be extra suited to wetter circumstances, comparable to rain, splashes and even sweat, for people who use their cans within the fitness center.

How a lot will Apple AirPods Max 2 price?

Eyebrows had been raised when the first-generation Airpods Max launched with a hefty £549 price ticket, however it nonetheless didn’t cease individuals speeding to purchase them. They offered out virtually immediately, with the ready record peaking at round 14 weeks.

There’s nothing on the rumor mill to recommend Apple will launch the second-generation Max at a lower cost level, so we must always nonetheless count on to pay a top-of-the-range payment for what will be a top-of-the-range product.

Some followers have expressed needs for a less expensive mannequin to be launched alongside the brand new Max to offer followers the choice relying on their funds, which Apple has earlier with relating to their iPhone, Macbook, iPad and Apple Watch ranges.

Nonetheless, that’s simply individuals expressing their needs versus a reputable rumor at this stage.

Featured Picture: Photograph by Super Snapper on Unsplash.