Apple’s future plans for its audio lineup are coming into focus, revealing a sharp contrast in strategy. While the popular AirPods Pro are slated for a significant health-focused upgrade later this year, the premium over-ear AirPods Max appear to be stuck in developmental limbo, with no second generation on the horizon, according to Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman.
AirPods Pro 3 to Introduce Health Monitoring
The next major innovation for Apple’s earbuds is expected this fall with the launch of the AirPods Pro 3. Gurman reports that the new model will incorporate a groundbreaking feature: heart rate monitoring. This move signals Apple’s growing ambition to merge its audio devices with its health and wellness ecosystem. The technology is said to function similarly to the Apple Watch, using optical LED sensors that pulse over 100 times per second to measure blood flow directly from the user’s ear.
For the feature to work, both earbuds will need to be worn, and the collected data will automatically sync with the Health app on the user’s iPhone. Apple has already implemented this technology in this year’s Powerbeats Pro 2. In scenarios where a user is wearing both the new AirPods Pro and an Apple Watch, the system will likely prioritize data from the more accurate device. Alongside this headline feature, the third-generation AirPods Pro are also expected to deliver improved sound quality, enhanced Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), and potential design updates.
AirPods Max Languish with No Successor Planned
In stark contrast, the future for the high-end AirPods Max looks bleak. Gurman suggests that fans of the over-ear headphones shouldn’t expect a second-generation model anytime soon. The product is reportedly in a state of “commercial limbo”—too popular to be discontinued entirely, yet not successful enough to warrant significant investment in a full-fledged sequel. Apple’s audio engineering teams are said to be focused on more frequent updates for the core AirPods line and developing audio components for other products.
This assessment aligns with an earlier prediction from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who suggested that a potential AirPods Max 2 wouldn’t enter mass production until 2027 at the earliest. Gurman’s report, however, paints an even more pessimistic picture, offering little hope for a refresh in the near future.
Aging Technology for a Premium Price
The lack of attention on the AirPods Max is becoming increasingly apparent. It has been nearly five years since their initial launch in December 2020—a period Gurman calls “remarkably long” for an Apple product to go without a meaningful upgrade. Last year, the only update the headphones received was the switch to a USB-C port to comply with EU regulations, along with the introduction of new color options.
Despite their premium $549 price tag, the AirPods Max are still powered by the H1 chip, which was first introduced in 2019. In comparison, the AirPods Pro 2 have featured the more modern H2 chip since 2022, enabling advanced features like Adaptive Audio, which the AirPods Max lack. While a firmware update earlier this year did bring lossless audio support and ultra-low latency, these improvements are exclusively available for the newer USB-C version, leaving original owners with the Lightning model behind.
