Apple’s AirPods Max are set to receive significant enhancements soon. On Friday, Apple announced that a software update in April will enable the over-ear headphones to support both lossless audio and ultra-low latency audio.
This development comes as a welcome surprise to many owners who may have lost hope of the AirPods Max supporting lossless audio. Initially released in 2020, these over-ear headphones had a minor update in 2024. Although Apple Music has offered lossless audio since 2021, the AirPods Max did not support this feature until now.
Lossless audio enhances sound quality, though it requires more bandwidth. Consequently, this feature will not be available when using AirPods Max wirelessly. The headphones will support lossless audio up to 24-bit, 48 kHz quality.
Additionally, the introduction of ultra-low latency audio will benefit musicians by allowing them to record and mix music while using the AirPods Max.
To utilize lossless audio, AirPods Max users will need a USB-C cable to connect the headphones to an iPhone, iPad, or Mac. This feature will be included in the upcoming iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, and macOS Sequoia 15.4 updates, which are scheduled for release in April.