Apple AirPods Max 2: What We Know And What We Want

Despite the mild refresh, it’s reasonable to expect that this is merely a precursor to a more substantial update down the road, and a genuine next-generation model may soon be on the horizon.

The Case Conundrum

While the AirPods Max have many appealing attributes, there’s a near-universal consensus: the included travel case is inadequate. Whether it’s the minimal protection for the ear cups or the fact that the headphones can’t be powered down without being stowed away, the case—often nicknamed “the bra” due to its dual-cup design—is due for a major overhaul.

Many premium wireless headphones come packaged with ample protection, like the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 and Sony WH-1000XM5, which feature sturdy, zippered cases. It’s perplexing that Apple hasn’t followed suit. This is an easily rectifiable area for improvement with the next AirPods Max release.

Reducing Weight

Can headphones be both cumbersome and surprisingly comfortable? The AirPods Max certainly challenge that notion. Weighing in at 13.6 ounces, they are noticeably heftier than counterparts like the Sony WH-1000XM5 at 8.8 ounces. While they are designed for comfort, after a few hours, that extra weight can become a burden.

While using premium materials like aluminum and steel poses challenges, Apple should seek to reduce the weight of the AirPods Max 2, as no one enjoys feeling the need to remove their headphones after only a couple of hours, especially when they feature some of the best ANC on the market. Given Apple’s prowess in design, it’s entirely feasible to achieve a sub-10-ounce weight without compromising luxury.

Enhancing Sound Quality

The sound quality of the AirPods Max is impressive; however, a questionable decision from Apple has hindered its full potential.

For those who appreciate high-resolution audio that surpasses CD quality, Apple offers a variety of lossless, hi-res options on Apple Music at up to 24-bit/192kHz. Sadly, there’s no available method to transmit the full lossless quality to a pair of wireless headphones using standard Bluetooth codecs. As a result, many high-end wireless headphones come equipped with analog or wired digital audio connections.

Beats, a subsidiary of Apple, took an important step with its Studio Pro headphones, which include a dual-USB-C cable for lossless, high-resolution audio, as well as an analog cable for older devices.

While the updated AirPods Max does feature a USB-C connection, it currently serves only for charging and does not support digital audio. The initial AirPods Max included an analog cable option, albeit at an additional cost of $35, but no such equivalent currently exists for the USB-C version of the headphones.

In our ideal scenario, the AirPods Max 2 would offer USB-C support for unprocessed digital audio transmission from phones or computers. Furthermore, compatibility with an analog connection would be highly desirable.

Elevating Wireless Audio Standards

Implementing a better cable solution would certainly enhance the audio quality of the AirPods Max 2; however, there is an opportunity to go even further. Wireless audio should not be restricted by cords if it isn’t necessary, and Apple is in a unique position to redefine wireless audio transmission.

Bluetooth audio has its limitations; even the latest advancements from Qualcomm only provide lossless CD quality with their Snapdragon Sound technology, which still falls short of true lossless hi-res audio due to bandwidth constraints.

On the other hand, ultra-wideband (UWB) technology possesses ample bandwidth, ideal for short-range, low-latency applications with minimal power consumption. Apple already has substantial experience with UWB, as every iPhone since the iPhone 11 has been equipped with a UWB radio, facilitating features seen in AirTags and the charging case for the second-gen AirPods Pro.

Given its capabilities, should Apple utilize its latest H2 chip in the upcoming AirPods Max, it could potentially provide a lossless hi-res connection akin to those established with the Apple Vision Pro and AirPods Pro 2 via USB-C.

Let’s keep our fingers crossed that the AirPods Max 2 will set a new precedent for wireless headphones, eliminating the quality compromises associated with Bluetooth technology.

Considerations for MagSafe

On the topic of charging, it may be feasible for Apple to integrate its MagSafe technology into the AirPods Max 2. The company previously implemented MagSafe on the iPhone and various AirPods charging cases; however, the larger ear cups of the AirPods Max present a unique challenge. For MagSafe to function, it requires a metal ring, but wireless charging does not penetrate materials like aluminum effectively. Since much of the existing AirPods Max is composed of aluminum, it raises questions about feasibility.

That said, Apple has demonstrated a willingness to include plastic elements to accommodate functionality in its aluminum products, thus a small plastic insert could be integrated within one of the ear cups of the AirPods Max 2 to enable MagSafe charging, perhaps adorned with an Apple logo.

Desirable Features: Colors and Battery Life

In addition to adopting a USB-C connection, Apple has also expanded the AirPods Max color palette to include five options: Midnight, Blue, Purple, Orange, and Starlight, achieving a minor enhancement in personalization.

Regarding battery life, while the existing 20-hour lifespan isn’t the worst in the industry, it tends to lag behind many competing models. It was surprising that Apple made no improvements in this area with the USB-C model.

While most users may manage with 20 hours daily, frequent travelers particularly benefit from extended battery life, which would be invaluable if they can’t access power outlets. Therefore, we hope future iterations of the AirPods Max will see an increase in battery life, even though this typically results in added weight—a trade-off we’d prefer to avoid.

Pricing and Future Availability of AirPods Max 2

While there’s never certainty in this realm, Apple’s move to update the AirPods Max with USB-C indicates they remain committed to this product line—quashing concerns that interest had waned since their initial 2020 release.

When might we see a true second-generation model? While it’s hard to predict, historical patterns suggest that Apple might unveil it in the fall, potentially in 2025. But given the unpredictability of product timelines, this should be taken with caution.

Apple generally maintains consistent pricing with generational updates when there isn’t a major overhaul, and we anticipate that the AirPods Max 2 will remain priced at $549. Since their initial launch, prices for several competing models have risen, with options such as the $699 Bowers & Wilkins Px8, $599 Master & Dynamic MW75, and even pricier options like the $1,500 Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H100. This trend eases the pressure on Apple to adjust the AirPods Max 2 pricing downward.

That sums up our aspirations and insights for the AirPods Max 2—a set of headphones we believe Apple will eventually announce, even if the timeline is still uncertain. Stay tuned for further updates once we have more concrete information.