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 massively widespread Apple AirPods Max.

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

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

Nevertheless, in what’s just a little out of character for Apple, followers are nonetheless patiently ready for the second era Apple Airpods Max. Present rumors, although, counsel the wait could also be over fairly quickly.

When will Apple AirPods Max 2 arrive?

There aren’t any concrete dates for when Apple followers can get their palms on the AirPods Max 2, however a couple of rumors are circulating that we would be capable of anticipate a brand new Max version within the latter levels of 2024.

That’s in line 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 possible start mass shipments in 2H24 or 1H25, together with extra reasonably priced AirPods (with Apple focusing on a worth 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 await 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 on account of “problems” and followers had been made to attend a pair extra months.

However a three-year await 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’ll be able to wager the general design, feel and appear will likely be glossy, snug and attention-grabbing. That’s what we’ve come to anticipate from Apple ever because the launch of the iMac G3 in 1998.

As we’re nonetheless comparatively at the hours of darkness 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 anticipate once they do ultimately arrive.

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has fueled most of the rumors on this space with a number of feedback in an October 2023 newsletter, wherein he additionally echoes the views of Kuo concerning 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 obtainable 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 large are contemplating introducing Yellow, Orange and Purple to the vary, whereas it’s additionally being whispered {that a} Product (Purple) version. Some imagine the brand new colours could also be in sync with these of the upcoming iPhone 16, which can also 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 will likely be current in all Apple merchandise sooner or later.

Contact controls

In the meantime, there’s speak that Apple is making modifications to the Max’s management mechanism, transferring nearer in the direction of contact controls as a substitute of constant with the present Digital Crown. This will come as music to the ears (pun meant) to present Max house owners 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 below some criticism. Notably for not being very protecting. Fortunately, a patent uncovered in the summer of 2022, seems to counsel 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’ve got at this time.

What are the Apple Airpods Max 2 specs?

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

That’s quite a bit to reside as much as and enhance on in a second version, however rumors level in the direction of Apple engaged on making a number of vital enhancements.

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

Elsewhere, there are whispers that Apple is perhaps engaged on a solution to ship wi-fi lossless audio through better-than-Bluetooth audio transmission expertise. If true and, after all, if it’s included within the Max, it will possible revolutionize the standard of transportable wi-fi audio.

There may be at present no noise surrounding what chip the Airpods Max 2 will use, however we will make an inexpensive assumption that the H2 chip is perhaps launched to interchange 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 is able to permit house owners to find their headphones through the usage of their iPhone, and a possible IPX ranking, which suggests the Airpods Max 2 will likely be extra suited to wetter situations, reminiscent of rain, splashes and even sweat, for people who use their cans within the health club.

How a lot will Apple AirPods Max 2 value?

Eyebrows had been raised when the first-generation Airpods Max launched with a hefty £549 price ticket, but it surely nonetheless didn’t cease folks dashing to purchase them. They bought out virtually immediately, with the ready checklist peaking at round 14 weeks.

There may be nothing on the rumor mill to counsel Apple will launch the second-generation Max at a lower cost level, so we must always nonetheless anticipate to pay a top-of-the-range payment for what’s going to 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 present followers the choice relying on their price range, which Apple has earlier with with regards to their iPhone, Macbook, iPad and Apple Watch ranges.

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

Featured Picture: Picture by Super Snapper on Unsplash.