Any idea when the next AirPods Max might be released?

[WatchBands]

I sold my AirPods Max a few months ago, expecting a refresh from Apple this year. With the minor update they just released, when do you think we’ll see a true upgrade for the AirPods Max? I assume they might be unveiled alongside the AirPods Pro 3.

What’s everyone’s take—next year or 2026? I’m currently debating whether to grab the USB-C Max models on sale.

 

[tranceking26]

I would take a guess and say either late 2025 or 2026. I think the APM are one of those products that won't get as many updates over the years. Hope I'm wrong but look how long it took to add USB-C.

 

[perezr10]

The AirPods Pro 2 were changed to usb-c in Sep 2023 and they were not upgraded in Sep 2024.

I’m guessing if Apple makes the effort to change the charging port, those models will be in production for at least 2 years. If they aren’t going to sell for at least 2 years, Apple would skip making the change since the new product will fill that gap.

That means no new AirPods Max until Sep 2026.

 

[turbineseaplane]

No guarantee they’re even going to find it worth their while to do another over ear

Depending on how the ANC is on the AirPods 4, I could see them just sticking with earbud form factors

 

[ManUtd08]

I don't see it happening. 4 year wait to add USB-C and colors. None of Apple's competitors in the over-ear headphones market would wait that long to provide a very basic update that did not include any hardware changes.

 

[fwmireault]

The next gen AirPods Pro are expected next year, and I would think they would have a next-gen H3 chip. I hardly see Apple keeping the AirPods Max two gens behind. So I would think late next year or early 2026 would be a likely timeframe. It's just a guess tho

 

[perezr10]

The next gen AirPods Pro are expected next year, and I would think they would have a next-gen H3 chip. I hardly see Apple keeping the AirPods Max two gens behind. So I would think late next year or early 2026 would be a likely timeframe. It's just a guess tho

Great point. If I was Apple, I’d update the Max to the new H3 chip when the next AirPod Pros come out. If they had went to the H2 this year they’d be behind again next fall.

 

[WatchBands]

The next gen AirPods Pro are expected next year, and I would think they would have a next-gen H3 chip. I hardly see Apple keeping the AirPods Max two gens behind. So I would think late next year or early 2026 would be a likely timeframe. It's just a guess tho

This will likely be the next indicator. If it’s not released with the AirPods Pro 3, it’ll be at least another year before they possibly get an update.

I think I’ll sit out and wait for a true update.

 

[Nozuka]

I think they are working on a bigger upgrade and it got delayed. Otherwise they could have just released the USB-C version, when they changed it on the APP2, instead of waiting.