Apple’s AirPods Max: The Forgotten Flagship in a Sea of Upgrades

Hot Take:

Apple’s AirPods Max: Now Featuring the Revolutionary New Feature of… New Colors. How Refreshing!

Key Points:

• Apple’s September Glowtime event promised significant updates across the AirPods lineup.
• The AirPods 4, Apple’s cheapest at $129, now features the advanced H2 chip and additional noise cancellation for $50 more.
• The H2 chip brings improved sound quality, machine-learning capabilities, and features like Siri Interactions, Adaptive Audio, and Conversation Awareness.
• The AirPods Max only received new colors and a USB-C connection, lacking the H2 chip and other upgrades.
• Concerns arise over the future of AirPods Max, especially given their high price and lack of substantial updates.

Meet the New Boss, Same as the Old Boss

Tim Cook and Apple kicked off their September Glowtime event with a promise of “significant updates across the entire lineup” of AirPods. But the excitement quickly fizzled, especially for fans of the AirPods Max. While the AirPods 4, Apple’s cheapest model, got a technological makeover with the advanced H2 chip, the AirPods Max were left standing in the corner with a new wardrobe and no new tricks. Apple’s supposedly flagship headphones received a couple of new colors and a USB-C connection, but no sign of the H2 chip or other significant upgrades.

AirPods 4: The Little Earbuds That Could

The AirPods 4 stole the show with their new features, thanks to the H2 chip. The chip, which first appeared in the AirPods Pro 2 in 2022, brings a host of improvements. This includes better noise cancellation, enhanced sound quality, and a range of intelligent features like Siri Interactions, Adaptive Audio, and Conversation Awareness. These updates make the AirPods 4 a tempting option, delivering advanced machine-learning capabilities that change the way users interact with their headphones.

AirPods Max: The Forgotten Firstborn

In contrast, the AirPods Max were left in the dust. Despite their premium price tag, they didn’t receive the same love. Apple seemed to hope that a few new colors and a USB-C port would be enough to distract us from the lack of any meaningful technological enhancements. This is especially disappointing given that over-ear headphones like the AirPods Max are often used in noisy environments where features like improved noise cancellation and adaptive audio would be particularly useful.

Why the Snub?

This isn’t a complete surprise, though. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman speculated last December that the AirPods Max might not sell well enough to warrant significant updates. If that’s the case, it raises questions about the future of these headphones. Are they on their way to being quietly retired from Apple’s lineup? With a 20-hour battery life that’s already lagging behind the competition, the AirPods Max are starting to look like yesterday’s news.

The Last Goodbye?

It’s a shame because, despite the lack of recent updates, the AirPods Max are still a solid pair of headphones. They offer excellent build quality, comfort, and sound fidelity. But as time goes on and competitors continue to innovate, the AirPods Max are becoming harder to recommend—especially at their current price point. Unless you’re an Apple die-hard who already owns a pair, it’s tough to justify investing in what now feels like an outdated product.