Apple’s premium over-ear headphones appear to be approaching their first major refresh since the original model launched in late 2020. According to reporting highlighted by Geeky Gadgets, AirPods Max 2 is now expected to arrive sometime in 2025, marking the end of a notably long product cycle as Apple prepares the next generation of its most expensive audio device.
While Apple has not announced any details, the new report suggests that the update will focus on refreshed colors, small exterior adjustments and internal improvements that bring the headphones in line with recent upgrades across the AirPods family.
A Long-Awaited Refresh for Apple’s Flagship Headphones
The original AirPods Max quickly cemented themselves as a premium category device thanks to build quality, active noise cancellation and integration with Apple’s ecosystem. But unlike AirPods and AirPods Pro, which have received more regular updates, the over-ear model has remained unchanged for five years.
Reports now indicate that Apple plans to refresh the design, with new colors expected to replace or supplement the existing palette. These changes align with Apple’s broader shift toward seasonal color rotations across several product lines.
Expected Changes Without a Full Redesign
The report from Geeky Gadgets does not point to a major redesign of AirPods Max, suggesting that Apple is staying close to the established look. The focus instead appears to be on updated materials, small structural refinements and internal component adjustments to modernize the headphones without reshaping their identity.
As Apple continues to improve active noise cancellation and computational audio across its AirPods lineup, the updated model is expected to bring performance improvements consistent with Apple’s recent audio tuning and chip advancements. No details have emerged yet about which chip might replace the H1 architecture used in the current model.
The timing of a 2025 release aligns with Apple’s broader product cadence throughout the AirPods family. AirPods Pro has received multiple generations of hardware and firmware enhancements, while standard AirPods now support features driven by Apple Intelligence and updated acoustic models.
A refreshed AirPods Max would help keep Apple’s premium audio offering competitive with new noise-cancelling headphones from Sony, Bose and other major manufacturers that have refreshed their flagship models several times since 2020.
Consumer Expectations
While the report emphasizes colors rather than groundbreaking new features, the long gap between generations means consumer expectations remain high. Apple faces a growing number of alternatives in the premium headphone segment, many offering strong ANC, lossless compatibility and multipoint connectivity — areas where AirPods Max has room for improvement.
Battery longevity, weight distribution and case design have also been recurring topics among users. Although the latest reporting does not specify changes to these elements, a refresh cycle offers an opportunity for Apple to address long-standing feedback even in a model that retains the original silhouette.
With only early indicators available, details about AirPods Max 2 remain limited. Apple’s accessory lineup often receives updates with little advance notice, and headphones in particular are frequently introduced through press releases rather than large events. If the current reporting holds, more concrete information is likely to surface as manufacturing schedules tighten and Apple firms up its 2025 launch calendar.
For now, the expected release window and color refresh provide the clearest signal yet that Apple is preparing to update its most premium pair of headphones after a lengthy pause.
