Apple’s headphone lineup is about to receive a significant upgrade that audiophiles have been waiting for. The tech giant announced that AirPods Max will soon lossless audio through a firmware update scheduled for April 2025, delivering an unprecedented level of audio quality to existing owners without requiring new hardware.
Lossless Audio: Hearing Music as Artists Intended
The firmware update will enable AirPods Max to 24-bit, 48 kHz lossless audio, preserving the integrity of original recordings and allowing listeners to experience music exactly as artists intended. This technical advancement represents a major shift in wireless audio capabilities and extends to Apple’s Personalised Spatial Audio feature, providing a more accurate and immersive soundscape.
For Apple Music subscribers, this update unlocks the full potential of the service’s catalog, giving access to over 100 million songs in pristine lossless quality. The combination of high-fidelity audio with the comfort and noise cancellation that AirPods Max are known for creates a compelling package for music enthusiasts.
A Creator’s Dream: Ultra-Low Latency for Music Production
For music producers and creators, the integration of lossless audio alongside ultra-low latency capabilities transforms AirPods Max into a professional-grade tool. When connected via the USB-C cable, these headphones become uniquely positioned as the only option that allows musicians to both create and mix in Personalized Spatial Audio with head tracking.
This technical achievement ensures that artists can seamlessly:
- Record tracks with minimal delay
- Mix with precise spatial awareness
- Monitor in true lossless quality
- Experience their creations exactly as listeners will hear them
Gaming and Media: Virtually No Lag
The benefits extend beyond music production to gaming and livestreaming. The ultra-low latency audio significantly reduces lag time to a level comparable with native built-in speakers on Mac, iPad, and iPhone devices. This improvement addresses one of the few criticisms previously directed at wireless headphones for gaming applications.
| Activity | Benefit of Ultra-Low Latency |
|---|---|
| Gaming | Synchronized audio with on-screen action |
| Livestreaming | Real-time monitoring without echo |
| Video editing | Precise frame-accurate sound editing |
| Voice calls | More natural conversation flow |
Free Update Arriving with Latest OS Versions
Apple confirmed this substantial improvement will arrive as a free firmware upgrade alongside iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, and macOS Sequoia 15.4. Current AirPods Max owners won’t need to purchase new hardware to enjoy these advanced features.
The headphones remain available at ₹59,900 and come in five distinctive colors: midnight, starlight, blue, purple, and orange. For additional connectivity options, Apple offers a USB-C to 3.5 mm audio cable for ₹3,900, enabling s to connect their AirPods Max to various audio sources, including airplane entertainment systems and car stereos.
WWDC25: Apple’s Developer Conference Returns
In related news, Apple announced yesterday that its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) will take place online from June 9 to 13, 2025. The event will also feature a special in-person celebration at Apple Park on June 9 for select developers and students.
Available at no cost to all developers, WWDC25 will showcase the latest advancements in Apple software and provide unique access to Apple experts. Attendees can expect insights into new tools, frameworks, and features that will shape the future of app development across Apple’s ecosystem.
“We’re excited to mark another incredible year of WWDC with our global developer community,” said Susan Prescott, Apple’s Vice-President of Worldwide Developer Relations. “We can’t wait to share the latest tools and technologies that will empower developers and help them continue to innovate.”
The timing of these announcements suggests Apple may be preparing for a significant year of both hardware and software innovations, with the AirPods Max lossless update potentially signaling just the beginning of audio improvements across Apple’s product lineup.
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