Every gymfluencer’s favorite pair of headphones is getting an upgrade—the AirPods Max 2 rumors suggest the device is changing but we don’t have enough information to determine just how much of an improvement we can expect to see. The AirPods Max 2 is coming to stores soon in September, which is an exciting prospect for Apple enthusiasts who know they’re set for a premium upgrade to their favorite pair of headphones.
Despite only having the first generation of the device out on the market, the Cupertino company has been able to amass quite a dedicated following for the AirPods Max and they’re hoping to repeat that success with their next pair as well. We only have a few Apple AirPods Max 2 leaks to go on for now, so let’s dive into some of the rumors surrounding the device.
Image: AirPod Max
AirPods Max 2 Rumors—Four Years Later, What Does Apple Have In Store For Us?
The AirPods Max 2 is expected to see a release alongside the iPhone 16 lineup that’s coming out in September. While smartphones and smartwatches will likely dominate the conversation, the more demure and mindful AirPods Max has a loyal fanbase of its own. The original AirPod Max was released on December 15, 2020, and it made its mark as the first wireless Bluetooth over-ear headphones designed by the company.
Apple already had its own audio device in the form of the AirPods that had been around since 2016, and for the longest time, the company appeared uninterested in adding to the category and changing up the design of a product that was doing well on its own. Apple’s acquisition of the Beats’ brand in 2014 suggested that the company had some interest in expanding its audio portfolio, but it didn’t make any substantial moves to indicate that they were working on anything. The AirPod Max was a big hit on its release, but the competition for premium headphones has leveled up since its launch, so Apple has some catching up to do.
AirPods Max 2 Pricing Rumors
The release of the AirPods Max headphones came as a surprise to many, but despite its mind-boggling $549 USD price tag, it found a steady stream of users making a purchase. Four years later, the AirPods Max can occasionally be found at a discounted price of $429 USD, but that doesn’t mean the new release will match the subsidized price.
For comparison, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones retail for $349 USD, and the newly released Sonos Ace headphones for $449 USD. Another one of the AirPods Max’s biggest rivals, Sony’s WH-1000XM5, starts at $400 USD.
Regardless of how substantial the AirPods Max 2 upgrades are, it is very unlikely that Apple will lower its prices to expand to a wider user base so we expect to see a similar price tag on the upcoming device. It could even be priced higher than the original, but Apple has faced some struggle with selling overpriced devices so perhaps they won’t overdo it with their pricing strategy.
AirPods Max 2 Upgrades Include a New Chip
AirPods Max 2 rumors suggest that the Bluetooth headphones will feature a new H2 chip similar to the ones on the AirPods Pro 2. The addition of this chip should power some of the feature upgrades that are expected from the device, such as adaptive audio, which will allow the device to switch between transparency and noise-canceling modes as you switch environments.
The chip should also support other responsive features that prompt the volume to be lowered when it detects speech or when the environment switches to where you need to hear your surroundings better. Apple AirPods Max 2 leaks suggest that the device may not support lossless audio with this iteration of the device, which will be a big disappointment if found to be true.
According to 9to5Mac, the iOS 18 upgrades featured on the AirPods Pro 2 could also carry over to the AirPods Max 2 features, which would mean you could use head gestures to respond to sir, enjoy voice isolation features during calls, or enjoy personalized spatial audio while gaming. If the significantly smaller AirPods Pro 2 can feature these capabilities, the headphones should most definitely have the same capabilities.
“Find My” AirPods Max 2
Apple Find My App and its integration with its entire collection of devices has improved considerably over the last few years. The precision tracking to narrow down the exact location of the headphones should be among the upgrades we see this year. The AirPods Max 2 is already traceable via the app, but Apple will undoubtedly look into upgrading how efficient the system is.
Design Expectations From the AirPods Max 2
Apple is not known for shaking things up too drastically in terms of the design of its devices and most predictions indicate the AirPods Max 2 will look similar to its predecessor. The ginormous but comfortable over-the-ear cuffs are expected to retain the same box design and the mesh bar that goes over the head is also designed for comfort and is unlikely to change. The appearance of the Bluetooth headphones has become as iconic as the original AirPods, so it might be too “early” in the game to change the style.
In terms of appearance, one change we can expect is a change in the colors of the headphones, but there have been no AirPods Max 2 rumors to suggest or confirm this. The existing device is available in pink, green, sky blue, space gray, and the most loved option of them all, silver. Some have hoped for a few darker-colored options for the AirPods Max 2, but we’ll have to see what Apple does next.
USB-C Charging Is Coming to the AirPods Max 2
A lot of the features are still up in the air with no confirmation, but one of the AirPods Max 2 rumors that has been confirmed is the arrival of a USB-C connection. Much to Apple’s disappointment, the Lightning port is essentially a relic of the past and the company has been forced to switch to USB-C for charging in the EU.
Instead of restricting the change to the EU region as they did with the App Store changes, the company has begun shifting all of its latest launches to the USB-C port to standardize its products. The AirPods 4 and the iPhone 16 will also switch similarly. If Apple makes the change along with a more simplified version of the wired listening capabilities of the device, it will be all the better.
AirPods Max 2 Upgrades Include Touch Control
Patents discovered by Patently Apple suggest that the new headphones could forego the digital crown that is currently seen on the devices in favor of touch controls. Now while the patent has been filed, we have no way to confirm that Apple was able to integrate the advanced technology in this particular version of the device but it is quite possible that we are getting the upgrade this time.
These particular rumors around the AirPods Max 2 stem from images from the patent, where the digital crown is missing from the device with the touch audio control feature indicated on the ear cups. The patent demonstrates the technique of “processing gestures on a touch-sensitive surface.” Touch controls are not always responsive and take some getting used to so we’re still on the fence about how to feel about this potential upgrade.
Image: AirPods Max Case
An Upgraded Case Is Much Needed
Apple’s current case for the headphones is unique in its design, but for all intents and purposes, it is barely functional. Yes, the case protects the ear cuffs and prevents them from getting scuffed in transit, but with the rest of the headphones exposed, they’re still quite vulnerable to damage. If you ever want to pack the headphones away in a bag, the lack of a full case means that the device is left vulnerable to getting bent out of shape.
The case doesn’t protect your headphones from any accidental water leaks, and the headphones have no water-resistance ratings so there’s no real way to keep the device safe during your journey out into the open world. Improved durability and water resistance would be much appreciated but a more secure case would be appreciated as well.
The only AirPods Max 2 rumors and leaks that have been confirmed so far are the USB-C switch and the arrival of new color options, so there is very little we truly know about the device. While we can hope that the AirPods Max 2 upgrades include a better battery, lossless audio, enhanced durability, and a lower price, it is unlikely that these changes will be implemented.
Expectations around the AirPods Max 2 are aplenty but will Apple be able to deliver on all of them? Let’s see.