Apple could release a lighter AirPods Max version in 2027
Apple should release a lighter version of its $550 AirPods Max over-ear headphones in 2027, but don’t expect major AirPods updates this year.
Industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo shared his expectations for Apple’s AirPods line in a short post on social media. For starters, the analyst advised against expecting major updates to the standard AirPods until 2026; the current fourth-generation AirPods were introduced alongside the iPhone 16 lineup in September 2024.
He also said that a lighter version of the AirPods Max over-ear headphones will enter mass production in 2027, presumably to be released alongside the 20th anniversary iPhone that fall. Kuo provided no specifics in terms of the weight reduction expected. The current AirPods Max model weighs 13.6 ounces, or about 386 grams.
Kuo: A lighter AirPods Max version could drop in 2027
“AirPods may not see significant updates until 2026 (aligning with my earlier prediction that IR camera-equipped AirPods would enter mass production in 2026)” reads a post on Kuo’s X (Twitter) account. “A lighter version of the AirPods Max is expected to enter mass production in 2027,” he added, without further clarification.
A lighter AirPods Max should address complaints by some owners that the headphones can feel a bit heavy around the ears. The headphones have a stainless steel frame and anodized aluminum cups, but Apple claims the headband was designed to distribute weight and reduce on-head pressure .
The AirPods Max were refreshed last September with new color finishes (Midnight, Starlight, Blue, Purple and Orange) and a USB-C port for charging instead of Lightning. Other than that, these are the same over-ear headphones as the original 2020 model. Notably, they still use the H1, which is Apple’s old headphone chip that doesn’t support the latest computational audio features such as adaptive audio, voice isolation, conversation awareness and personalized volume.
Kuo’s tweet reiterates that AirPods with built-in cameras will enter mass production in 2026, but he didn’t share the expected release date; for what it’s worth, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has them on his 2027 Apple roadmap. Built-in cameras are thought to be used for Apple Intelligence features like visual intelligence.
AirPods Max gain lossless audio support
The headphones recently gained a new feature via a firmware update: support for lossless audio. As Apple previously explained, this feature promises to elevate not only the music listening experience, but also improve gaming, streaming and other activities that can benefit from lower latency than previously offered.
Apple’s page which details changes in AirPods updates acknowledges as much, confirming that the latest AirPods Max update “enables lossless audio and ultra-low latency audio for the ultimate listening experience and even greater performance for music production, content creation and gaming” when used with iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4 and macOS Sequoia 15.4 or later.
2027 should bring an Apple “product renaissance,” Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman said recently. He claims the Cupertino tech giant will release a bunch of interesting products around that time, including the twentieth anniversary iPhone, its first foldable device, the first Apple-branded digital glasses and more.
Source link: https://www.idownloadblog.com/2025/05/19/apple-lighter-airpods-max-mass-production-2027-rumor/
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