Apple’s AirPods Max are set to receive significant enhancements soon, according to an announcement made by the company on Friday. The over-ear headphones will gain support for both lossless audio and ultra-low latency audio through a software update scheduled for April.
This development is an unexpected bonus for many owners who might have resigned to the idea that lossless audio would never be available on the AirPods Max. Apple initially released these headphones in 2020, followed by a slightly updated model in 2024. Although Apple Music introduced lossless audio in 2021, the AirPods Max had not supported this feature until now.
Lossless audio provides improved sound quality but typically requires greater bandwidth. As a result, this feature will not be accessible when using the AirPods Max wirelessly. The headphones will support lossless audio quality up to 24-bit and 48 kHz.
Additionally, the introduction of ultra-low latency audio is expected to benefit musicians, allowing them to record and mix music using the AirPods Max.
To utilize the lossless audio feature, AirPods Max users will need to connect their headphones to an iPhone, iPad, or Mac using a USB-C cable. This feature will be included in the upcoming iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, and macOS Sequoia 15.4 updates, which are slated for release in April.
