Apple is finally updating AirPods Max with lossless and ultra-low latency audio

No, pigs aren’t flying, hell hasn’t frozen over and you (probably) haven’t won the Powerball jackpot, but something else nearly as unexpected is happening. after it debuted Apple is set to update them with long-overdue features. The company is bringing lossless audio and ultra-low latency audio to the overear headphones when it rolls out iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4 and macOS Sequoia 15.4 in April.

It’s the first (and only major) update Apple has given the AirPods Max outside of starting to offer a model with a USB-C charging port . And that’s the kicker: based on the wording in Apple’s press releaseit seems the update will only be for the USB-C version of the AirPods Max, not the original version with the Lightning port. What’s more, it appears that lossless audio and ultra-low latency audio may only be available when you connect the headphones to an audio source via a USB-C cable. Engadget has asked Apple for confirmation.

As luck would have it, Apple is starting to sell a USB-C to 3.5mm cable today. It’ll run you $39. There will also be the option to connect your iOS or iPadOS device to speakers or car stereos that have 3.5mm audio ports with the cable.

Still, you’ll at last be able to listen to 24-bit, 48 kHz lossless audio with AirPods Max. Lossless audio will also be compatible with Personalized Spatial Audio, Apple says. Apple Music subscribers can listen to more than 100 million songs in lossless audio.

The company notes that, following the firmware update, “AirPods Max will become the only headphones that enable musicians to both create and mix in Personalized Spatial Audio with head tracking.” It adds that the ultra-low latency audio feature will allow for no response delay on par with the speakers built into Mac, iPad and iPhone devices. It suggests this feature could be a boon for gamers and livestreamers.