We think this is quite late for AirPods Max 2 and we’re quite convinced that the reality is somewhere in between. If we had to bet on it, we’d say that late 2023 is still a likely scenario – despite them not arriving alongside the iPhone 15 in September.

Compatible hardware and software required. Works with compatible content in supported apps. Not all content available in Dolby Atmos. iPhone with TrueDepth camera required to create a personal profile for Spatial Audio, which will sync across Apple devices running the latest operating system software, including iOS, iPadOS, macOS and tvOS. Siri may not be available in all languages or in all areas, and features may vary by area. Compatible device and internet access required. Mobile data charges may apply.We’re also a fan of the color options, which include space gray, silver, sky blue, green and pink. There’s a rumor that before Apple releases the second-gen AirPods Max, we’ll get refreshed colors for the current-gen model. We could eventually see these rumored colors come to the AirPods Max 2. At least one new AirPods product has launched every year since 2019. To date, Apple seems to wait two and a half to three years to update each AirPods device and, since 2019, a different AirPods product line has been updated each year. According to this pattern, ‌AirPods Max‌ should be the next AirPods device to receive a refresh, perhaps somewhere between June and November 2023. Yet another patent (spotting a trend?) explains that Apple is working on new optical audio transmission technology. It’s a fancy new alternative to Bluetooth, which would allow Apple to deliver lossless audio wirelessly. Other alternatives for lossless audio support include an AirPlay-esque feature.

More supported audio formats: In terms of sound resolution and detail, the AirPods Max best output is Apple's current wireless codec, AAC. Rival companies like Sony, though, have implemented wireless transmission codecs for higher sound quality, and then of course there's the new aptX Lossless Audio codec already supported by some mobile devices.Bloomberg's Mark Gurman seems to echo Kuo's assessment, stating in a recent October 2023 newsletter that as part of Apple's new AirPods product roadmap, the AirPods Max would gain not only new colourways but USB-C charging, too, in late 2024. This would be in line with the iPhone 15 and AirPods Pro 2 switching to USB-C ports in 2023, but it's still unclear whether this means it's the current Max model (which hasn't been updated since 2020) will get these light updates or if they will be integrated as part of the new 2nd generation model.

Thankfully, an Apple patent uncovered in July 2022 seems to suggest that Apple is working on a far more substantial case that snaps shut using a series of "magnetic clasps". Sounds like a no-brainer to us. Let's just hope it looks less silly than its predecessor, too. My biggest annoyance with some industry commentators, who really should know better, is their constant criticism that the AirPod Max were/are somehow too expensive. Such rhetoric continues to perpetuate this myth about how headphones should be something that is super low cost, regardless of quality. The fact is that headphones are one area where most ppl have a completely unrealistic and impoverished attitude, when it comes to price. Finally, who could talk about AirPods Max without mentioning the controversial case? While designed for convenience, the bra/purse-like design has received much criticism. Admittedly, the case does look a little silly and doesn’t offer much in the way of protection.When Apple added USB-C charging to its 2nd generation AirPods Pro earphones, it also promised lossless streaming support from the upcoming Vision Pro mixed reality headset – suggesting we’re a little closer to seeing the tech on other devices. The original, Lightning-equipped AirPods Pro 2nd gen also came with an H2 chip that offered Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity, improved noise cancellation and a conversation boost feature for those with hearing challenges to follow conversations more clearly. These are all things we’d love to see on the AirPods Max 2. AirPods Max 2: potential release date and price Naturally, Apple might not pursue any of these patents. But if we’re to see them anywhere, we’d expect AirPods Max 2. A spec bump in the drivers behind the headphone, improving the already stellar audio quality, also seems likely. Many of the hardware enhancements we’re expecting have appeared in the latest version of the Beats Studio Pro headphones: they don’t have Apple’s H2 inside, instead using a custom Beats chip that – like the recent Beats Studio Buds+– supports Google Fast Pair as well as Apple’s FindMy tech. With these headphones, lossless audio (24-bit/48kHz) is supported via USB-C, but it is not available wirelessly. AirPods Pro‌ (second-generation): September 2022 (two years and 11 months after previous generation) Until we learn more about the AirPods Max 2, we’ve made a list of the features we hope the AirPods Max 2 will offer compared to the original AirPods Max:

Apple kept us waiting for the original AirPods Max: they were expected to debut alongside the iPhone 12 which launched on 12th October 2020 but "complications" in the design and manufacturing process put paid to that.Instead, the AirPods Max were finally unveiled on Tuesday 8th December, before going on sale on Tuesday 15th December 2020. Apple is renowned for its sleek designs, but it really pulled out all the stops for its first pair of over-ears. From pristine anodised aluminium ear cups to a perfectly-weighted steel headband, we found that AirPods Max makes some of the best wireless headphones feel cheap by comparison. Our kids' and junior Air Max trainers are designed for running wild. Whether they're taking their first steps or heading out on adventures, our Air Max junior shoes are built to help them soar. Inspired by our adult-sized icons, these are the designs you love—rebooted for the next generation. That's about it on the rumours front, but here are four other features we'd like to see on the AirPods Max 2:So personally I think the AirPod Max is an extremely well priced headphone & great value once you consider its features, design, build quality and performance. The only way to get something better would be if you’re willing to spend considerably more money. So please no more talk about how these are over priced, it’s just such a ludicrous statement. Moreover, it was believed that ‌AirPods Max‌ would have left and right ear detection so users could reverse the headphones' orientation, as well as touch pads on the earcups for controls. This appears to have been replaced by the Digital Crown from the Apple Watch in the final product. A recently-granted patent discovered by Patently Apple suggests changes are on the way, with a fully-enclosed case held together by magnets. It would certainly do a better job of keeping the headband safe from scuffs or scrapes than the current case. AirPods Max 2 potential features and specs The AirPods Max debuted in Space Grey, Silver, Green, Pink and Sky Blue options, so isn’t shy to a splash of colour. Early reports suggested the sequel would see more hues added. We can look to the 2021 iMac for inspiration. Expect brighter colours, in the same pastel shade. Could we get yellow like on the iPhone 14 variant? Red? Yes, please. Purple? Come here. iPhone 12 and subsequent iPad models have featured a purple option, so we’d hedge our bets on this one. Works with iPhone 8 or later and iPod touch (7th generation) with the latest version of iOS; and 12.9‑inch iPad Pro (2nd generation or later), 11‑inch iPad Pro, 10.5‑inch iPad Pro, iPad (5th generation or later), iPad Air (3rd generation or later) and iPad mini (5th generation or later) with the latest version of iPadOS.