Apple launches US$549 new AirPods Max to boost holiday sales; delivery times face delays
- At US$549 apiece, Apple’s new wireless over-ear headphones are pricier than some of its other popular phone and tablet products
- Less than 12 hours after Apple announced the products, shipping times for US customers stretch past a dozen weeks, pushing arrival times well into 2021
The new AirPods, which will have up to 20 hours battery life, will be shipped starting next Tuesday, Apple said. But less than 12 hours after Apple announced the products, shipping times for US customers had stretched past a dozen weeks, according to review of Apple’s website, pushing arrival times well into 2021.
Because over-ear headphones create a seal around the ear, they are capable of delivering higher audio quality than in-ear devices and remain the standard form factor in professional studios. The AirPods Max model will compete with high-end headphones such as Bose’s Noise Cancelling 700 units, which retail for US$340 with holiday discounts.
At US$549, AirPods Max headphones are more expensive than Apple’s entry-level iPhone, iPad and Watch models. The company also said Tuesday that pricing for its base, in-ear AirPods model and AirPods Pro model would remain the same at US$159 and US$249, respectively.
The company said the AirPods Max contains nine microphones and two of its H1 chips, Apple’s custom-designed audio processor. The microphones help reduce wind noise on phone calls, provide noise cancellation and also adjust audio levels in real time using microphones inside the ear cups.