When Apple released the AirPods Max headphones as a rare surprise December announcement back in 2020, we assumed it would follow a similar update schedule as the AirPods Pro. However, three and a half years and two AirPods Pro updates later, the 1st gen AirPods Max are still on shelves.
However, a new report claims a new AirPods Max model is finally on the way in 2024. According to Jeff Hu of Haitong International Securities (via MacRumors), the 2nd-gen AirPods Max is expected to arrive in the fourth quarter of 2024, which likely means it’ll get an update alongside the iPhone 16. While Pu doesn’t outline any of the new features, previous rumors said the new models will dump the Lightning port for USB-C, and pick up some of the AirPods Pro features like the H2 chip and Lossless Audio when used with Vision Pro.
Also expected, according to Pu, is a low-end model to replace the 2nd-gen AirPods that have been on sale since 2019. Apple lowered the price to $129 in 2021 when the 3rd-gen model arrived but hasn’t updated it since. Rumors say this new model will be very similar to the current 2nd-gen model but with an updated design and $99 price tag.
The new lower-cost AirPods have been dubbed AirPods Lite by some leaks, though AirPods SE would make more sense with Apple’s other product lines. To stay up to date with the latest rumors, check out our AirPods roundup.
Author: Michael Simon, Executive Editor, Macworld
Michael Simon has been covering Apple for more than 20 years. He started covering rumors with Spymac when the iPod was the iWalk, and has owned nearly every iPhone Apple has ever made. He lives in Connecticut with his wife, son, and far too many gadgets.