Apple’s AirPods Max Headphones To Finally Get Lossless Audio Support

Apple has said its AirPods Max wireless headphones will soon support high-fidelity lossless audio. Available through a software update in April, the new feature will allow users to listen to 24-bit, 48kHz lossless audio on the AirPods Max. However, the caveat is that lossless audio will work only with a cable on the latest AirPods Max model.

The AirPods Max’s 2024 model ditched the Lightning port in favour of the ubiquitous USB-C port but at the expense of losing support for wired audio playback entirely. Apple’s announcement is a move in the direction of fixing that issue, alongside giving users what they have anticipated for long.

“With the included USB-C cable, users can enjoy the highest-quality audio across music, movies, and games, while music creators can experience significant enhancements to songwriting, beat making, production, and mixing,” said Apple.

AirPods Max will also be the only headphones, the company claimed, to let musicians both create and mix in Personalised Spatial Audio with head tracking. Alongside lossless audio, AirPods Max will also support ultra-low latency audio, which will help reduce lag time in games. Apple claims the audio output on the AirPods Max will be “on par” with the native built-in speakers on the iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

The lossless audio and ultra-low latency audio support will be rolled out as part of iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, and macOS Sequoia 15.4 updates, expected sometime in April. While the functionality will work with a USB-C to USB-C cable, Apple says anyone with a USB-C to 3.5mm cable, priced at ₹3,900, can also listen to audio in lossless quality.

The AirPods Max headphones were revised last year with incremental upgrades, including a USB-C port. However, they are still available at the original cost of ₹59,900 in midnight, starlight, blue, purple, and orange colours.

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