That took a while, but it's finally real: Apple's AirPods Max over-the-ear headphones now support lossless audio. Apple announced the upgrade in late March, and now the new firmware for the AirPods Max is out, adding support for lossless audio, as well as ultra-low latency audio, for AirPods Max.

When iOS 18.4 arrived earlier this week, AirPods Max users were likely the quickest to update after Apple announced last week that a new AirPods Max firmware update released at the same time would bring lossless audio and ultra-low latency audio to AirPods Max for the first time via the bundled USB-C cable.

Summary: Apple has delayed the AirPods Max’s new software update that would’ve brought the lossless audio feature. The new firmware is technically live on the company’s servers, but users aren’t able to get it yet on their devices.

Apple is bringing lossless audio and ultra-low latency audio to AirPods Max headphones in April when using the included USB-C cable.

Apple has rolled out a few new features in tvOS 18.4, bringing some new smart home support, expanded audio features, and even changed up some of the Apple TV app interface.

The AirPods Max (USB-C) will feature ultra-low latency support, which reduces the delay between sound production and when it is heard. This technology is crucial when timing is essential, such as live music performances, online gaming, telecommunications, and broadcast production.

Additional sensors on the AirPods Pro 3 make sense. Apple is already all-in on health and fitness via the Apple Watch, and having additional health data via the AirPods will make that tracking more accurate and useful. However, I’m looking for improvements to the AirPods Pro’s original wireless music mission.

Apple today released a new firmware update for the USB-C version of the AirPods Max headphones. The new firmware is version 7E99, up from the

To take advantage of lossless audio, AirPods Max owners will have to use the USB-C cable to connect to an iPhone, an iPad, or a Mac. The feature will be available as part of iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, and macOS Sequoia 15.4 when the updates become available in April.