WWDC 2023 was filled to the brim with updates for Apple products, and audio was no exception. In fact, Adaptive Audio is coming to AirPods Pro 2, alongside a bunch of other useful features. Unfortunately, it’s been confirmed this update won’t be coming to the most expensive devices in the AirPods line-up — the $549 AirPods Max.
Adaptive Audio is designed to combine the AirPods Pro 2’s active noise canceling with Transparency Mode to adapt to the local environment — which makes sense given the name. That update will also come with personalized volume and conversation awareness, which should automatically fine-tune and improve your AirPods experience.
We can’t expect Apple to launch the latest and best new AirPods features on older earbuds, no matter how much we’d like to use them. But considering the price tag of the AirPods Max, which is more than the price of a PS5, it’s a shame that they won’t be receiving such a useful update.
Despite that high price tag, we can’t ignore the fact the AirPods Max are now almost 3 years old — with appropriately aged hardware. The headphones only have a single level of transparency, and are powered by Apple’s H1 chip.
Meanwhile, AirPods Pro 2 launched in September 2022, powered by the H2 chip and pack in more advanced ANC and transparency options. That’s especially apparent given the fact other AirPods aren’t receiving this update either.
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