So it seems the rumours had just about everything, barring the title, correct. Apple’s announced a new set of over-ear headphones, called the AirPods Max, in what is (probably) its last hardware announcement for 2020.
Rumour also suggested that Apple had just one more thing to add to 2020, and that it would turn up… round about now. Rumour is two-for-two, at this point.
AirPods Max by name, and by price
The new over-ear cans will arrive in several different shades — Silver, Space Grey, Sky Blue, Pink and Green — which is a little strange for Apple but it’s been a little experimental with its iPhone hues as well this year. Inside audio and Apple fans will find 40mm dynamic drivers, the company’s H1 audio chip that’ll enable “…computational audio to wirelessly deliver the ultimate personal listening experience.”
The headphones will ship with a fabric storage case and will offer up to 20 hours of audio on a charge. And, speaking of charges, the price may just lift your eyebrows a little. They’re not priced or confirmed for South Africa yet but the AirPods Max will retail for £549 — or about R11,000 in South African money. That’s a large chunk of change when you can get a set of Sony WH-1000XM4 cans for just about R5,000. Are Apple’s new headphones worth twice the price of ‘freaking amazing’? We can’t wait to get our hands on a pair and find out for ourselves.
