AirPods Max Begin Shipping to Customers Ahead of December 15 Launch

Sunday December 13, 2020 4:29 pm PST by Frank McShan

Apple last week announced the AirPods Max, the first Apple-branded over-ear headphones. Now, AirPods Max preorders are beginning to ship to customers around the world ahead of the December 15 launch date.

airpods max b
Although several orders for the headphones are still in the "Processing" or "Preparing to Ship" stages, one MacRumors reader has shared a screenshot of an AirPods Max order marked as "Shipped" on Apple's online store.

Priced at $549, AirPods Max have a mesh headband with a stainless steel frame that connects to memory foam ear cups. The headphones offer several features including high-fidelity audio, Adaptive EQ, Active Noise Cancellation, and spatial audio. Many reviewers have been impressed by the sound quality of the headphones.

AirPods Max will be available starting on December 15 in the United States and over 25 markets worldwide, according to Apple. Delivery estimates for all five AirPods Max colors have already slipped into 2021 on Apple.com, suggesting that either Apple is facing supply constraints or demand for the headphones is quite high.

Waiting for your AirPods Max? Be sure to track your shipment in the MacRumors forums.

Related Roundup: AirPods Max 2

Buyer's Guide: AirPods Max (Buy Now)

Related Forum: AirPods

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Top Rated Comments

jz0309

77 months ago

Congrats to those who've ordered them ... looking forward to some real life reviews

Score: 26 Votes (Like | Disagree)

trhoffmann

77 months ago

You can buy 4.5 shares of AAPL for this....just sayin'.

Or sell 5 shares to buy them with AppleCare+.

Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Ds6778

77 months ago

Every time is see “AirPods Max,” I cringe. I’m sure they will sound amazing and will be great at noise cancellation. I just can’t wrap my mind around this “strategy.” Had they priced it for $399 or less, they would have dominated the Bose/Sony market IMO. I also could have overlooked the lack of a case and a way to power them off. $550? Not sure who they're targeting here. I doubt they will be $200-$275 better than Sony or Bose offerings. Even if they are “better,” it’s still a stretch given how much more they are.

On a side rant, can we get rid of the “Max” nomenclature? “Max” is just so cheesy, it’s like Apple is letting an 8 year old come up with these names. “Super mega-awesome Pro-Max XDR PROMAX Super Edition Plus!”

I guess another rant, why are these even called AirPods? The first thing I think of when I hear “AirPods” is compact, wireless, in ear headphones, not massive, heavy cans.
I wish Apple would just make their Pro lineup and than SE versions. Keep it simple.

Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)

smithrh

77 months ago

Definitely feels like there was some sort of two-step embargo here -

a) You can talk about the headphones, how they feel, packaging, etc

(units ship)

b) ...now you can talk about how they sound

I suspect the performance will be decent or even better. But this delay in reviews of how they sound is really frustrating.

Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)

newyorksole

77 months ago

Maybe you don’t understand or paying attention to the audio segment, because $550 is not a ‘crazy price’. What it comes down to, is some don’t have an appreciation for spending money on headphones when they don’t care about the aspects of sound dynamics, but if you want something of quality sound and well constructed, then you look at products that are in the segment what Apple is charging in comparison to Bose, Klipsch, Sennheiser, ect. Why is no one calling those prices crazy? Now Apple is considered ‘crazy’ for releasing a pair of $550 headphones? They’re right in line with the other competitors.

It’s only crazy because it’s Apple and everyone feels like Apple owes them something for some odd reason. Everyone is saying they would “totally buy these if they were $300/$400”. Just goes to show they are highly sought after, but even with alleged great sound and superior build quality, the masses think Apple should give them away for free.

It’s just really weird honestly Lol.

Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)