When to Expect New AirPods Max to Launch - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

When to Expect New AirPods Max to Launch

by

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

Popular Stories

airpods max condensation

AirPods Max Condensation Lawsuit Largely Dismissed by NY Judge

Tuesday July 7, 2026 6:14 am PDT by
A federal judge has thrown out most of the claims in a proposed class action accusing Apple's AirPods Max of a condensation defect, ruling that the $549 headphones do what they were built for even if they fall short of a buyer's expectations (via Law360). Filed in April 2025 by two plaintiffs, the suit alleges that condensation builds up inside the AirPods Max ear cups during normal indoor...
Read Full Article • 53 comments
AirPods Pro Beta Firmware 2

Apple Releases New AirPods Beta Firmware With iOS 27 Features

Tuesday July 7, 2026 11:19 am PDT by
Apple today released a third version of the beta firmware it is testing for the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, AirPods 4, and AirPods Max 2. The firmware is limited to developers at the current time, and it has a build number of 9A5314b. In iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS Golden Gate, Apple is adding a new AirPods interface, a slider for Adaptive mode, and support for custom EQ, so the firmware...
Read Full Article • 35 comments
iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max Feature

'Apple Upgrade' Program Reportedly Launching Next Week

Tuesday July 21, 2026 8:30 am PDT by
Apple and Klarna are partnering on a new "Apple Upgrade" leasing program set to launch in the U.S. on Tuesday, July 28, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The program will allow you to finance most iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch models, with a 24-month term for iPhones and Apple Watches and a 36-month term for iPads and Macs. Customers will be able to pay off the device early during...
Read Full Article • 202 comments

Top Rated Comments

C
CarAnalogy
32 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
32 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
32 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
32 months ago
I love how MR presents speculative second-hand information as a matter of fact.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Y
yanksfan114
32 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
32 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)
Read All Comments