Apple AirPods Max with USB-C to Add Support for Lossless and Ultra-low Latency Audio

Apple plans to update its AirPods Max headphones with lossless audio and ultra-low latency audio next month. The new features will become available via a free firmware update, but only for the AirPods Max with a USB-C connector that were released back in September.

“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,” Apple said in the press release.

In detail, the firmware update will add support for 24-bit, 48 kHz lossless audio on the AirPods Max. This highest-quality audio will also extend to the Personalized Spatial Audio feature, which requires an iPhone with a TrueDepth camera to create a personal profile for Spatial Audio.

The second aspect of this update, ultra-low latency audio, will also benefit gamers and livestreamers. Apple promises that it will lower lag time to make it “on par with the native built-in speakers on Mac, iPad, and iPhone.

Lossless audio and ultra-low latency audio for the AirPods Max with USB-C will become available in April alongside iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, and macOS Sequoia 15.4. Apple’s high-end headphones are currently priced at $549 on the Apple Store.