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When to Expect New AirPods Max to Launch

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It has been more than three years since Apple released the AirPods Max, leading some to wonder when the over-ear headphones will be updated.

Airpods Max Feature Blue
Below, we outline when to expect new AirPods Max, and rumored features.

Timing

In an October 2023 edition of his newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said Apple planned to release new AirPods Max in "late 2024," so the headphones are likely around 7-10 months away from being updated based on that timeframe.

Apple announced the current AirPods Max in a press release on December 8, 2020, and the headphones launched a week later.

New Features

Apple is only planning minor changes for the AirPods Max, including a USB-C port instead of Lightning for charging and wired audio playback, according to Gurman. He also said the headphones will be available in new color options. The current color options include Green, Pink, Silver, Sky Blue, and Space Gray.

Gurman said the updated headphones will still be considered first-generation AirPods Max, signifying how minor the changes may be.

The updated AirPods Max will likely support Bluetooth 5.3, up from Bluetooth 5.0, for more reliable and power-efficient wireless audio connectivity.

Related Roundup: AirPods Max 2
Buyer's Guide: AirPods Max (Buy Now)
Related Forum: AirPods

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Top Rated Comments

C
CarAnalogy
34 months ago
Answer: the moment your return window closes for the pair you bought on sale from the other post.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
orbital~debris Avatar
orbital~debris
34 months ago

Gurman said the updated headphones will still be considered first-generation AirPods Max, signifying how minor the changes may be.
Seriously difficult to believe this element.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
V
VisceralRealist
34 months ago

I love how MR presents speculative second-hand information as a matter of fact.
I love how users are repeatedly shocked and appalled that a site called MacRumors reports rumors. I mean, it's almost like "rumors" is in the name of the site. It's almost like they specify that information is rumored. What's next, alleged updates? The nerve! 🧐

But yeah, what an underwhelming update if true. Four years with nothing, and it's not even going to be a new generation? On one hand I find these rumors hard to believe, but I also wouldn't put it past Apple. Over-ear headphones are niche, and these can't bring in anywhere near the revenue that non-Max AirPods do.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
M
mashinhead
34 months ago
I love how MR presents speculative second-hand information as a matter of fact.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Y
yanksfan114
34 months ago
It would be ridiculous if that rumor it was keeping the H1 chips was true. Imagine Apple putting two 5-year-old chips in the updated AirPods Max instead of the 2 year old H2 chip or an updated H3. Especially for a $550.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Joe Rossignol Avatar
Joe Rossignol
34 months ago

I love how MR presents speculative second-hand information as a matter of fact.
Tell me where, exactly. Every sentence in the story is either attributed to Gurman, or qualified with a "likely" or "expected." Your feedback is baseless.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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