Stuck in Limbo: Why Apple's AirPods Max Aren't Getting a Major Upgrade Anytime Soon

Since their launch in late 2020, the market performance of Apple's AirPods Max has been underwhelming. While highly anticipated before release, their steep price tag and heavy aluminum-and-steel construction left some fans disappointed and eagerly awaiting a next-generation model.

AirPods Max

Although the AirPods Max received a so-called "update" last year, it amounted to little more than switching the charging port to USB-C and introducing new color options. This minor change leaves them functionally behind the updated AirPods Pro 2, a gap that seems unlikely to close in the near future.

According to Mark Gurman in his "Power On" newsletter, the AirPods Max are currently in an awkward business position. Sales are just strong enough for Apple to keep the product on the market, but not significant enough to justify dedicating substantial engineering resources to a true successor. The move to USB-C last year was primarily a measure to comply with EU regulations.

Gurman points out that from a business perspective, Apple's audio team is more inclined to invest its time and energy into developing new AirPods earbuds and creating speakers for other products. This lack of focus on the high-end headphones is particularly disappointing, considering the AirPods Max have remained largely unchanged, aside from the port swap, since their debut nearly five years ago.

In short, if you've been holding out for a new version of the AirPods Max, you may be in for a long wait. Gurman suggests that fans will likely "have to keep waiting," as there are no significant upgrade plans on the horizon for the premium headphones.

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