Apple announces its AirPods Max — a $550 pair of over-ear headphones
Rich, in all senses
What else do we need to know about the AirPods Max?
Well, they come in five colors: space gray, silver, sky blue, green, and pink. You can order them today — and they’ll start shipping on December 15.
Oh, and they’ll set you back $549. Which is… a lot. Especially considering the costs of its direct competitors:Sony WH-1000XM4($280), Bose QuietComfort 35 II ($270), and theSennheiser Momentum 3($350). Currently, I’m struggling to see why they’re worth over $200 more than any of these other fantastic sets of cans.
And this isn’t the only questionable element of the AirPods Max.
It seems odd to me they’d charge with a Lightning connector, rather than USB-C, especiallywhen it looks certain Apple will be forced away from its proprietary cable soon. And how could I forget? There’s a “smart case” which is one of the dumbest things I’ve ever seen:
Anyway, the big selling point of the AirPods Max — and, indeed,AirPods in general— is how seamlessly they integrate with the rest of Apple’s hardware. And you know the AirPods Max are going to operate in much the same way. I have no doubt that these things are going to be good, but I seriously question if they’re going to be worth $550.
To be honest, the AirPods Max have basically hit my expectations: they look beautiful, have some interesting design features, and cost a shit ton. Of course though, we can’t pass any judgement until we’ve actually heard the damn things. And I genuinely can’t wait for that.
Story byCallum Booth
Callum Booth is a freelance journalist with over a decade of experience. Previously, he was the Managing Editor of TNW, where his reporting(show all)Callum Booth is a freelance journalist with over a decade of experience. Previously, he was the Managing Editor of TNW, where his reporting was cited widely, including in VICE, the FT, and the BBC.
Callum’s writing has appeared in The Verge, The Daily Telegraph, Time Out, and many more. He covers the full spectrum of technology, with a particular focus on how it shapes our daily lives. And a lot of regulation stuff too.
Outside of work, Callum’s an avid bookworm, a Fisherman’s Friends addict, and resolutely unshaven. Follow him on Twitter @CallumBooth or visit www.callumbooth.net.
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