Apple adds lossless audio support to AirPods Max with USB-C

Apple has announced that AirPods Max headphones with USB-C will receive lossless audio support through a firmware update coming in April. The update, which will arrive alongside iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, and macOS Sequoia 15.4, addresses a significant limitation of the premium $549 headphones.
The update will enable 24-bit, 48 kHz lossless playback when using a wired USB-C connection, allowing users to experience uncompressed audio quality across music, movies, and games. The feature will also support Personalized Spatial Audio for a more immersive listening experience.
Additionally, the update introduces ultra-low latency audio capabilities, which Apple claims will be comparable to the built-in speakers on Mac, iPad, and iPhone devices. This improvement aims to benefit gamers, livestreamers, and music producers who require minimal audio delay.
According to Apple, the updated AirPods Max will become "the only headphones that enable musicians to both create and mix in Personalized Spatial Audio with head tracking," potentially enhancing their appeal to audio professionals.
The company has also released a new USB-C to 3.5mm audio cable priced at $39 (Rs 3900 in India), which allows the headphones to connect to traditional audio jacks.
Notably, the lossless audio update appears to be exclusive to the USB-C model released in September 2024, not the original Lightning connector version that debuted in 2020. The features also seem to require a wired connection rather than working over Bluetooth.