AirPods Max refresh brings new colors and a switch to USB-C

The AirPods Max were first announced in 2020 as the first Apple-branded over-the-ear headphones. Unsurprisingly, rather than announce a successor at its Glowtime event, Apple unveiled a refreshed version that brings a new charging port and new colors.

When the AirPods Max first launched, they were available to buy in Space Gray, Silver, Sky Blue, Green, and Pink. Now, Apple has released them in five fresh colors - Blue, Purple, Midnight, Starlight, and Orange. These new colors also come with USB-C ports and not a Lightning port like the original. The switch to USB-C also means buyers get a braided USB-C charge cable in the box and not a Lightning to USB-C cable.

Save for the new colors and port, nothing has changed. You still get active noise cancellation with transparency mode, personalized spatial audio with dynamic head tracking, Audio Sharing, Always on Siri, and up to 20 hours of listening time with ANC turned on. The price remains unchanged at $549, and there's the option of a free engraving to personalize the headphones. Pre-orders are open now and they will be available on September 20.

With the Apple AirPods Max just a few months away from its fourth anniversary, it has to compete with newer headphones such as the Sonos Ace which costs less (available on Amazon for $449).