AirPods Max: Is the second generation really coming soon?
Apple's largest headphone model has many fans and continues to sell well. But the technology behind them is outdated. Will there be a replacement in September?
AirPods Max in use: Lightning as if it were 2020.
(Image: Apple)
When the AirPods Max came onto the market in December 2020, almost four years ago now, they were controversial: Apple wanted to see an unbelievable 613 euros for the over-ears at the time and, as we wrote at the time, entered the "open-top class of premium headphones" for the first time. In the meantime, the retail price has dropped significantly (ab 509,99 €) and the headphones are often seen in big cities, on trains, airplanes and even during sports. It has become clear that users want an alternative to the earbuds of the AirPods Pro series, with which the Max are still most comparable due to the integrated noise cancellation (ANC). The problem: Apple has neglected its largest headphone models, introduced them and has continued to sell them unchanged ever since. Will this finally change in September?
What users would like
It would actually be very easy for Apple to pick up AirPods Max fans: The company would only have to (further) improve the ANC functions a little, bring the features otherwise up to the level of the AirPods Pro 2 (including call acceptance by nodding and new Voice Isolation) and implement USB-C instead of the outdated Lightning – done. Only Apple's accessories team knows why this hasn't happened yet.
The basis of the AirPods Max is good. They are comparatively compact for over-ears, extremely stable thanks to aluminum and metal, and last a long time thanks to the replaceable ear pads. The sound and noise suppression are in the top league, even if the AirPods Pro 2 have now overtaken them. However, it is also clear that it is no longer worth buying a pair of Max at the moment – Who wants to carry around an old cable when even Apple subsidiary Beats is fully committed to USB-C?
Rumor mill tends to point in the direction of plugs
After it was rumored in the spring that Apple would overhaul the AirPods Max in September or October in addition to new earbuds, speculation about over-ears has been rather quiet of late. Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman, who is usually accurate, recently reported that new "AirPods 4" in two versions will be released with the iPhone 16 to replace the outdated AirPods 2 and AirPods 3: With ANC and without.
This would mean that the AirPods 4 would compete internally with the AirPods Pro 2, which will probably not be updated until next year. Gurman has not yet provided any further details about the Max in August. Hope dies last for audio enthusiasts.
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