I love my AirPods MaxThey look great, are easy to use, and are a staple in my daily routine.
But after Apple’s recent refresh — if you can call it that — I can’t help but wonder why Apple hasn’t taken the opportunity to bring this product up to par with the innovation we’ve come to expect. A few New colors and USB-C? Is that all?
The issue of weight and comfort
Firstly, AirPods Max were originally released in December 2020. Technologically, that’s practically ancient history. You’d think that after nearly four years, Apple would have figured out how to make these headphones lighter and more comfortable.
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They’re quite heavy at 13.6 ounces (386.2 grams); after a while, you start to feel it. The weight is a serious deterrent for many potential customers — almost as much as the premium price tag. Lighter competitors have figured this out, so why hasn’t Apple? The weight of the product remains unchanged from the original, and there haven’t been any tweaks to improve comfort or portability.
Weight isn’t the only issue with the AirPods Max. Apple also missed an opportunity to improve the overall comfort and ergonomics. Users often experience discomfort due to heat buildup during extended use. Apple could have introduced better heat management or redesigned the ear cushions to improve airflow, making the headphones more comfortable for long listening sessions. Lighter materials or a redesign of the ear cushions could have significantly improved the user experience, especially considering the premium price tag.
Apple Intelligence and the Health Gap
Apple has been pouring resources into AI-powered Apple Intelligence initiatives, focusing on features like personalization and productivity, and the Apple Watch has also received some small AI/ML improvements, such as Vitals app in WatchOS 11.
However, the Apple Watch isn’t the only product in the company’s ecosystem that uses health sensors. There are rumors that AirPods Pro 3 may have some health tracking capabilities. But the AirPods Max don’t have any health sensors at all? This is especially surprising given the larger size of the AirPods Max, which would make more room for advanced sensors and health-focused improvements.
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Imagine if Apple integrated brainwave-monitoring sensors — similar to the ones in Master & Dynamic MW-75 Neuro Headphones — monitoring attention, concentration, or cognitive health. These could also extend beyond health monitoring into productivity features, helping users maintain focus or tracking cognitive engagement while performing tasks. This would allow Apple Intelligence to provide users with real-time feedback on their mental state and productivity. Instead, Apple has not explored this direction, leaving a notable gap in the potential of its AI and health ecosystem.
One area where Apple has made strides is hearing health, but only on AirPods Pro 2. These earbuds currently offer clinical-grade hearing aid support and built-in hearing testing with iOS 18. But why not extend those features to the AirPods Max, which are more expensive and have a larger, more adaptable design?
AirPods Max could be the ideal platform for Apple to continue developing its hearing health technology, integrating advanced hearing aids or more sophisticated sensors for health monitoring. By ignoring these potential advancements, Apple misses out on a real opportunity to innovate with its flagship headphones.
Apple’s Reluctance to License Medical Technology
Apple has a history of avoiding licensing third-party technology, often opting to redesign it itself, leading to repeated legal challenges. For example: Vividcompany behind KardiaBandsued Apple for patent infringement on its ECG technology in 2020. Although the International Trade Commission (ITC) initially ruled in AliveCor’s favor, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) later declared several of AliveCor’s patents invalid and is still on appeal. Additionally, AliveCor filed an antitrust lawsuit in 2021, accusing Apple of monopolistic behavior in heart rate analysis.
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Likewise, Masimoa medical device maker, sued Apple over the pulse oximetry technology in the Apple Watch. In 2024, the ITC ruled in favor of Masimo, barring Apple from using that technology in future Watch models. These legal battles show Apple’s reluctance to cooperate, which may have influenced its decision not to license cutting-edge health technology like Neurable’s brainwave technology for the AirPods Max. It’s a missed opportunity to push the boundaries of what its products — especially the AirPods Max — can do in health, wellness, and productivity tracking.
Small improvements are not enough
Another notable omission from the AirPods Max update is any mention of improved battery life. While the AirPods Max already offer up to 20 hours of listening time, improvements in battery performance could easily extend that figure, especially for a product of this size. Improved battery life or fast charging capabilities would make a noticeable difference to the user experience, but Apple seems to have overlooked either.
The only tangible improvement in this AirPods Max update is the addition of USB-C charging — a step up in compatibility but still not groundbreaking. Wireless charging, which is already available in AirPods Pro Headphonesstill absent, and MagSafe, a feature that Apple equips on most of its product lines, is also absent here.
With the larger size of the AirPods Max, Apple may have explored low power wireless power transmissionan emerging technology used across vertical industries. This would put the headphones at the forefront of innovation. However, the lack of meaningful upgrades to charging, weight reduction, or improved comfort makes the new AirPods Max feel more like a stopgap than a truly new product.
Apple has improved noise cancellation, offering up to 2x better Active Noise Cancellation than the AirPods Pro (1st generation) and AirPods (4th generation). The H1 chip used in the previous generation of headphones remains unchanged. While the sound quality is certainly great, in a market where competitors like Sony, Bose, and Sonos are introducing new innovations, it’s not enough to justify the $549 price tag — especially when health-related and AI-driven features are still lacking.
Competitive landscape
While Apple has made incremental improvements, its competitors are innovating faster. Sony, Bose, and Master & Dynamic have all introduced features like enhanced comfort, advanced health tracking, and audio customization that Apple could easily incorporate into the AirPods Max.
For example, Master & Dynamic’s Partnership with Neurable shows the growing demand for tools that track attention and cognitive health, something that could easily fit into Apple’s Apple Intelligence ecosystem. Apple’s failure to address these growing trends puts the company at a disadvantage in a market it once led.
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Apple also missed a key opportunity to compete with Sonos Acesupport (partial) Wi-Fi and allow for much higher data rates than Bluetooth 5/6. By not supporting AirPlay for the AirPods Max, Apple has limited the headphones’ ability to deliver higher-quality audio to users, especially when listening privately in larger spaces, such as using them with an Apple TV 4K in the living room. The current model occasionally drops out due to Bluetooth limitations, which could be avoided if Wi-Fi or AirPlay were supported.
At $549, the AirPods Max are still one of the most expensive headphones on the market. But with no significant updates, it’s hard to justify the premium price. The original 2020 model is still available, often selling for just under $100And innovation unit can be found for even less. Without major improvements, the value proposition of the new AirPods Max would be significantly weakened, especially when competitors offer similar or more advanced features at lower prices.
Sustainability and environmental impact
Apple touts its commitment to sustainability, but the changes in the new AirPods Max are minimal. While the product includes 100% recycled tin in the solder and some recycled materials in components like polyester and copper plating, Apple could have done more to make these headphones truly eco-friendly.
The larger size of the AirPods Max could be the ideal platform to incorporate higher-quality sustainable materials. Apple FineWoven cases have been discontinued. after being criticized for its quality. However, the product could incorporate materials such as hemp, recycled aluminum, plant foam, biodegradable plastic, recycled polyester, mycelium leather, cork, bamboo, and recycled rubber. These materials would align with Apple’s environmental goals and reduce weight and ecological footprint, making the AirPods Max more appealing to environmentally conscious consumers.
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While the move to USB-C helps reduce e-waste by standardizing charging cables, Apple could go further by using more sustainable materials in the case and padding. Doing so would increase durability and make the AirPods Max an even stronger statement about Apple’s environmental ambitions.
Apple could also improve long-term sustainability by making the AirPods Max easier to repair or upgrade. Modular components or a repair program would extend the life of the headphones, reducing e-waste. Such initiatives would bring the product closer to Apple’s environmental commitments, making it a more responsible choice for environmentally conscious consumers.
AirPods Max could have been a lot better
The AirPods Max could have been more than just premium headphones. They could have been a platform for health tech innovation, AI-powered features, and cutting-edge wireless technology. Instead, Apple missed its chance to lead, delivering what feels like a transitional product rather than a groundbreaking one. For those of us waiting for Apple to push the envelope, this update is more disappointing than exciting.
