Apple is bringing lossless audio and ultra-low latency to its AirPods Max headphones with USB-C. Rolling out in April alongside iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, and macOS Sequoia 15.4, this long-awaited upgrade goes beyond a simple tweak, delivering high-fidelity sound that preserves every note and beat.
With this update, AirPods Max will support 24-bit, 48 kHz lossless audio, a level of fidelity that captures the full dynamic range and subtle nuances of every track. Apple Music subscribers will have access to over 100 million songs in this pristine format, allowing listeners to experience music the way the artist intended. At the same time, the ultra-low latency feature minimizes the delay between audio playback and hearing, matching the responsiveness of built-in speakers on Mac, iPad, and iPhone devices—a benefit that gamers and livestreamers will appreciate.
Lossless audio, by definition, is a high-fidelity sound format that retains every detail of the original recording, unlike lossy formats such as MP3 or AAC which sacrifice audio data for smaller file sizes. Formats like ALAC (Apple Lossless Audio Codec) ensure that every nuance, from the subtlest background harmony to the deep bass lines, remains intact. This technology is ideal for audiophiles and professionals, offering a level of sound clarity that is crucial when precision and detail matter.
Although Bluetooth’s bandwidth limitations have prevented previous generations of AirPods from supporting lossless playback, Apple’s decision to integrate this feature into the wired mode via USB-C signifies a major leap forward in audio technology.
Beyond improved listening, Apple is positioning this update as a game-changer for music creators. With support for Personalized Spatial Audio enhanced by lossless playback, AirPods Max will become the only headphones that enable musicians to both create and mix audio with head tracking. Music production apps like Logic Pro, along with other yet-to-be-named tools, are set to harness these features, offering producers an immersive environment that closely replicates studio conditions.
It’s important to note that these advanced features will be exclusive to the USB-C version of the AirPods Max. The original model with a Lightning connector does not have the necessary data transfer speeds to support true lossless audio, meaning that users with the older hardware will not benefit from the update.
To complement this upgrade, Apple is introducing a $39 USB-C to 3.5mm audio cable, which ensures that users can enjoy the highest quality wired audio experience whether they are connecting to an iPhone, iPad, or even legacy audio systems.
