The AirPods Max are some of the best-sounding headphones Apple has ever made but there’s no denying it: they’re heavy. And after years of feedback, Apple may finally be listening.
According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple is planning to reduce the weight of its over-ear AirPods Max in a future update. The prediction came via a short post on X, and while Kuo didn’t spill the details, the implication is clear, Apple’s luxury headphones might soon ditch some of that stainless-steel heft.
Great Sound, Heavy Trade-Off
Right now, AirPods Max weigh in at 386.2 grams (about 13.6 ounces), making them significantly heavier than most competitors. Apple designed the headband to balance weight across your head but after a few hours, many users feel the fatigue set in.
That industrial design? Premium. That pressure on your ears? Not so much.
The Last “Update” Was Just a Port Swap
Apple’s most recent update to the AirPods Max happened quietly in September, swapping out the Lightning port for USB-C and introducing some new color options. No changes to performance. No change in comfort. Just a cable refresh.
And if you were hoping for more soon, brace yourself.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported back in November that Apple has “no concrete plans” to meaningfully upgrade the AirPods Max in the near future.
What Comes Next: Lighter, Smarter, but Not Soon
While the idea of a lighter AirPods Max is exciting, Kuo doesn’t expect major AirPods updates until 2026. That’s when Apple may debut a new generation with built-in IR cameras, possibly tied to vision-based tracking for future spatial audio or mixed reality features.
That tech is still in development and the next version of AirPods Max likely won’t arrive until those features are ready.
So if you’re waiting for lighter, smarter AirPods Max, prepare to wait a little longer. But if the redesign cuts weight and adds real next-gen features? It might be worth it.
Closing
Apple’s flagship headphones could finally shed some weight, but the real transformation may not hit until 2026. In the meantime, we’re still carrying that stainless steel crown.
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