Apple Isn’t Planning Any “Meaningful’ Refresh of AirPods Max After Adding USB-C

Highlights

• Apple has no “meaningful” plans to update the AirPods Max as reported by Mark Gurman.
• AirPods Max were refreshed with a USB-C version earlier this year.
• The AirPods Max are neither selling enough to justify development costs nor failing enough to be discontinued.

Many Apple fans were met with disappointment this year when Apple re-introduced the same AirPods Max only with USB-C and some new colours this time. There was no significant upgrade that many were hoping for. Now, the latest word is that Apple has no plans for future upgrades.  

No Future Upgrades for AirPods Max

If you’ve been hoping for a big upgrade to Apple’s AirPods Max like a new chip, better noise cancellation, or other improvements, we suggest you don’t hold your breath.

According to Bloomberg’s trusted Apple reporter Mark Gurman, Apple has no “meaningful” plans to update the AirPods Max beyond the USB-C version introduced earlier this year.

Apple first launched the AirPods Max in December 2020 with a steep $549 price tag, and for nearly four years, they remained unchanged. In September 2024, Apple added a USB-C version and some refreshed colours, but that was the extent of the update. Features like the H2 chip or adaptive audio never made it to the lineup.

In his recent Power On newsletter, Gurman explains why – “The headphones aren’t a hot enough seller to justify pouring money into development, but they’re also not a big enough flop to kill them outright. If you’ve ever been to an upscale gym in Los Angeles or New York, you can see these $550 headphones have a market — even with the high price and outdated technology.

For now, Apple seems content to leave the AirPods Max as they are, with Gurman predicting they’ll stick around in their current form for the “foreseeable future.” This likely means it could be years before we see a significant refresh.

A price cut could make the AirPods Max more appealing but Gurman notes that Apple doesn’t have much reason to lower the cost.

Let’s hope these high-end headphones don’t languish on Apple’s website for another four years without updates but it seems that might just be the case.

 FAQs

Q1. Are there any significant upgrades planned for the AirPods Max?

Answer. No, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple has no “meaningful” plans to update the AirPods Max beyond the USB-C version introduced earlier this year.

Q2. Why isn’t Apple updating the AirPods Max?

Answer. The AirPods Max are not selling enough to justify development costs, but they are also not failing enough to discontinue. Apple seems content to leave them as they are for the foreseeable future.

Q3. Will there be a price cut for the AirPods Max?

Answer. Mark Gurman notes that Apple doesn’t have much reason to lower the cost while a price cut could make the AirPods Max more appealing.

Meta – Apple will not significantly update AirPods Max beyond USB-C addition. No plans for new features due to moderate sales. Price cut unlikely, says Mark Gurman.

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