Apple has a surprise announcement for AirPods Max users today. The company says that a software update coming next month with iOS 18.4 will add lossless audio when using the included USB-C cable, as well as ultra-low latency audio.
Apple says:
With this update, AirPods Max will unlock 24-bit, 48 kHz lossless audio, preserving the integrity of original recordings and allowing listeners to experience music the way the artist created it in the studio. Lossless audio also extends to Personalized Spatial Audio to deliver a more sonically accurate, uncompressed, and immersive experience, and users can enjoy more than 100 million songs in lossless audio with Apple Music.
Meanwhile, the update will also bring support for ultra-low latency audio on AirPods Max. This will “significantly” lower lag to the point that response time is “on par with the native built-in speakers on Mac, iPad, and iPhone.”
Gamers and livestreamers can also benefit from ultra-low latency audio, which significantly lowers lag time, and is on par with the native built-in speakers on Mac, iPad, and iPhone. With no response delay, gameplay and livestreaming become reliably smooth and even more immersive for users.
The update will come in April as part of iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, and macOS Sequoia 15.4. The new features will be available exclusively to AirPods Max with USB-C. If you have a Lightning pair of AirPods Max, here’s your excuse to update.
Finally, starting today, Apple is selling a new USB-C to 3.5mm audio cable for $39. This will enable support for wired playback, allowing AirPods Max users to connect their headphones to 3.5mm audio sources. This was a feature notably absent from AirPods Max with USB-C when they first launched last year.
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