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AirPods Max 2 Leak: Apple’s Next-Gen Headphones Could Crush the Competition

Improved battery, lossless audio, and a surprising new gesture control system? Here's everything we know so far.

By Shahjahan Kabir KhanPublished 6 months ago 4 min read

Apple premium headphones are scheduled for a significant improvement.

Apple's Air Pods Max drew a lot of international attention when they were first released in 2020.These over-ear headphones soon became a must-have for music enthusiasts as well as diehard Apple enthusiasts thanks to their opulent design, spatially sound capabilities, and active noise cancelling. Nevertheless, they had faults—especially given their exorbitant price of $549—despite their superior appearance and sound quality.

Rumors on the Air Pods Max 2 are beginning to surface today in 2025.Insider sources and industry experts point to Apple's intent of a major overhaul that might finally address previous issues and establish a fresh standard for headphones.

Let's go over what is known to date and think about why companies like Sony and Bose ought to pay attention.

🔋 Better Battery Life: A Big Win for Travelers

The performance of the first Air Pods Max's battery was a big worry. Although the 20-hour playback length was acceptable, it seemed restricted next to competitors providing up to 30 or 40 hours of usage.

Reports indicate the Air Pods Max 2 could extend listening time to almost 26 hours by raising battery life by as much as 30%.Apple might include a more energy-efficient chip (probably a fresh generation of the H2 or even H3) that greatly reduces power consumption, even when features like noise cancelling and spatial audio are enabled. More than just physical size modifications, this might happen.

Frequent travelers, daily commuters, and remote workers will probably value the diminished need to recharge, notably if Apple departs from the peculiar magnetic sleep case form to include a real power button.

🎧 Lossless Audio: Hi-Fi Comes to AirPods

One of the most exciting rumors is support for lossless audio over a fresh wireless standard.

Despite Apple Music's growing catalog of high-resolution music, none of the AirPods—including the Pro or Max models—at present can provide true lossless playback. With the Air Pods Max 2, this could finally change.

Targeting lossless music streaming via Bluetooth or a bespoke mechanism, Apple is developing a wireless protocol that promises low latency and large bandwidth, according reports from Mark Gurman of Bloomberg and several trustworthy sources.Should this be correct, it could fundamentally alter wireless audio quality and threaten luxury brands like Sennheiser and Audeze.

Audiophiles have long disparaged Bluetooth audio compressing. The Air Pods Max 2 could produce the finest sound quality ever heard in a popular headset thanks to Apple's latest codec as well as improved interior drivers and amps.

✋ Gesture Controls: A Smarter Way to Interact

Perhaps Apple may be bringing in a new gesture control capability based on the hand tracking technology seen in Vision Pro.Rather of depending only on Siri commands or the Digital Crown, users could be able to control volume, handle playback, or answer calls using swipe, pinch, or tap gestures in the air.

This upgrade may make the Air Pods Max 2 the market leader by fusing user-friendliness with intelligent features without need of phone use. Given Apple's focus on spatial computing and user-friendly interface, this idea seems rather plausible.

Done right, it could change the headphones sector, particularly by making them more accessible and perfect for multitasking.

🎨 New Colors and Materials

Furthermore, whispers suggest a revamped form factor and fresh color options like Midnight, Starlight, and a darker Space Black to complement other Apple products. Rumors claim Apple may select a lighter magnesium alloy to make the headphones more comfortable for extended listening sessions in reaction to problems raised by previous consumers.

The headband could also be greatly changed, with increased padding and a more flexible fit across many head sizes. These developments, however small they seem, show Apple's increasing priority on user comfort.

🔌 USB-C Charging and Better Case (Finally)

Given Apple's move from Lightning connections in the iPhone, iPad, and other gadgets, it stands to reason to change the new headphones to USBC.Along with an updated case—finally—USBC charging is likely to be included in the Air Pods Max 2 package.

Many people also found the real case, which internet users jokingly referred to as the bra, disappointing. Apple might release a more conventional clamshell-style case with physical buttons and better protection, maybe even with wireless charging via MagSafe.

💰 Price: Will It Still Be $549?

This is still somewhat murky. According to some experts, if the new capabilities—such as gesture controls and lossless audio compatibility—actually represent a leap ahead, the pricing might rise somewhat (perhaps up to $599).Some people, meanwhile, think Apple will hold the price at $549 to be competitive with its upscale competitors.

Apple could also offer a lite version without lossless support or a trade-in option to reach a broader audience.

📅 When Will AirPods Max 2 Be Released?

The Air Pods Max 2 is now anticipated to be released in late 2025, maybe in September with the iPhone 17. But Apple might tease us during a spring event or the WWDC.

Apple's tendency to refresh its products every three to four years and the fierce rivalry in the High-end Audio market suggests that the Air Pods Max 2 is nearing completion.

End: Wait or not, is it worth it?

For anybody seeking premium over-ear headphones within the Apple ecosystem, waiting for the Air Pods Max 2 might be justified. With improvements including extended battery life, the possibility for lossless audio, and smart gesture controls, this might be Apple's most advanced audio device yet.

But until Apple checks the facts, it's wise to approach the rumors with circumspection. Recent releases from Apple, including the Vision Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, however show that rather than simply implementing changes the company is genuinely transforming its goods.

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