Unlike the iPhone and iPad, Apple is in no rush to upgrade its wireless headphones, which is why we haven’t seen the AirPods Max 2nd gen yet. But if we’re following Apple’s cycle, we might not have to wait long to see the AirPods Max 2 tagging some worthy new features and specs.
While the AirPods Max was launched two years ago, the successor to the headphones has been missing until today. Additionally, little detail has been revealed regarding the design or new capabilities of the premium cans. However, we have managed to list other important things that you should be concerned about, including the release date and pricing.
When will AirPods Max 2 be released?
AirPods Max was released in early December 2020. This means the headphones are now over two years old and close to being replaced, as competitors like Sony didn’t wait that long to announce the WH-1000XM5.
It is safe to say that Apple will introduce the AirPods Max 2 at the next WWDC event in June next year, or perhaps at a separate event. At the same time, the Cupertino company can choose another place with the iPhone 15 announcement at the end of 2023.
What will be the new features of AirPods Max 2?
Apple has kept the lid on the ANC-ready AirPods Max 2 in terms of features and specifications.
Design, port and touch controls
Current AirPods Max headphones come with a proprietary Lightning port, but that can be replaced with USB-C. Apple has started adopting the universal charging port on its devices to comply with the new standards law established in Europe. AirPods Max 2 could benefit from the faster charging speeds that come with the new standard.
Another issue is that Apple is introducing touch controls on the 2nd gen over-ears. The original AirPods Max relied on an array of buttons placed inside both earcups to control tracks or switch to different modes. We cannot rule out the possibility that these touch-based controls may use advanced technology such as ultrasonic sensors as previously reported.
Also, the concept of interchangeable headphones to match the colors of the headphones may become a reality on the next-gen AirPods Max. Apple thought to support customizable cans by allowing users to change the earcups before ditching the original headphones at the last minute. The odds of it happening on AirPods Max 2 are now huge.
Other features and specifications of AirPods Max 2
Apple is likely to give the upcoming cans a powerful H2 audio chip, as well as improved drivers and amplifiers similar to the AirPods Pro 2. A new Bluetooth 5.3 can be combined with this silicon, although the LC3 or LE codec will not come until after the high-profile Apple engineer who stated that Apple will stick with SBC and AAC for a few more years.
Other improvements in tow are seemingly obvious, such as a longer battery, water-resistant protection, an adaptive transparency mode, and better noise cancellation. Of course, all of these don’t come without a price sticker shock.
How much does the AirPods Max 2 cost? Will there be an AirPods Max SE?
Pricing information regarding AirPods Max 2 pricing is scarce. We can only compare it to the $549 (€549) Max 1. Due to chip shortages and price gouging, Apple’s AirPods Max 2 may get a price hike at launch.
In addition to the Max model, there are words that indicate a cheaper variant. According to Apple leaker John Prosser, it can be a sport-oriented “SE” model at a price of $350. However, it is yet to say how this differs from the Max model.
What features are you most excited to see from AirPods Max 2? Should Apple add support for high definition codecs? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments section.