Apple says AirPods Max with USB-C will get lossless, ultra-low latency audio with upcoming software update
Apple on Monday seeded the release candidate for iOS & iPadOS 18.4, as well as macOS Sequoia 15.4, to developers and public beta testers ahead of the official public release, and according to an announcement made by the Cupertino-based company, some AirPods Max owners can expect quite the upgrade when these updates become available to all Apple device owners next month – indicating an April launch date.
Specifically, AirPods Max with USB-C will gain new functionality to support lossless audio and ultra-low latency audio to enjoy a whole new level of audio quality. Moreover, Apple says AirPods Max “will become the only headphones that enable musicians to both create and mix in Personalized Spatial Audio and head tracking.”
When the update becomes available, AirPods Max will be capable of 24-bit, 48kHz lossless audio, which the company says will preserve the integrity of original audio recordings and enable the listener to experience music in the same way that the artist intended it in the studio. It seems that these AirPods Max owners will need to use the included USB-C cable to enjoy these perks.
Have a device with a 3.5mm headphone jack and no USB-C cable? No problem, A separately available USB-C to 3.5mm audio cable will be offered for sale by the company to encourage use of the latest features on older devices.
The ultra-low latency audio will be beneficial not only for music, but it will also be useful for gamers and live streamers looking to enhance the audio experience and in-game immersion. In fact, as Apple notes, lag time will be reduced to such a level that the experience will be on par with the native built-in speakers on Mac, iPad, and iPhone.
Unfortunately, owners of the AirPods Max with Lightning will not be receiving these upgraded audio features. This is understandably a frustrating revelation, as there are no discernible differences between AirPods Max with USB-C and AirPods Max with Lightning apart from the connector that they use to charge. If anything, this is just a marketing ploy to make the USB-C version more appetizing to potential consumers.
Making use of these new features will require device owners to upgrade to iOS & iPadOS 18.4 or macOS Sequoia 15.4 when it becomes available in April. It seems likely that a software update will also be released specifically for the AirPods Max with USB-C to unlock these features. AirPods updates happen automatically when certain criteria are met.
Are you excited about the new features coming to the AirPods Max with USB-C? Moreover, are you disappointed to see that AirPods with Lightning owners won’t be receiving the same level of love from Apple? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section down below.
Source link: https://www.idownloadblog.com/2025/03/24/airpods-max-usb-c-lossless-audio-ultra-low-latency-audio/
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