MacRumors

Last week, details about unreleased Apple devices and future iOS features were shared by Macworld. This week, we learned where the information came from, plus we have more findings from the leak.

As it turns out, an Apple prototype device running an early build of iOS 26 was sold, and the person who bought it shared the software. The OS has a version number of 23A5234w, and the first developer beta of ‌iOS 26‌ was 23A5260n, so it dates back to before that initial beta. Apple was still calling it iOS 19 internally at that time, so the software is labeled iOS 19 rather than ‌iOS 26‌.

An anonymous source provided MacRumors with a list of unreleased devices and features that were found in the beta, and we've recapped the device list below. There are references to many upcoming Apple products, which are referred to by codenames internally. Several codenames have been leaked previously in other accidental updates, or by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Many of these leaked devices have been previously rumored, but this serves as confirmation that they are in the works and will be coming in the future.

AirTags and Home Devices

• AirTag 2 - B589
• Apple Studio Display 2 - J427 and J527
• Home hub variant 1 with base - J490
• Home hub variant 2, mounted - J491
• Unknown home accessory - J229. Possibly a standalone base that can be added to the mounted home hub, or another device like the rumored camera Apple is working on.
• Tabletop robot - J595
• HomePod mini 2 - B525

iPads

• iPad 12 - J581 and J582 (Wi-Fi and Cellular)
• M4 iPad Air - J707, J708, J737, J738 (11 and 13-inch sizes, Wi-Fi and Cellular)

iPhones

• iPhone 17e - V159
• iPhone Air 2 - V62 (software predates Apple's decision to delay the launch)
• iPhone 18 Pro - V63
• iPhone 18 Pro Max - V64
• Foldable iPhone - V68

Macs

• Low-cost MacBook with A18 Pro - J700
• M5 Pro/Max MacBook Pro - J714c, J714s, J716c, J716s (14-inch and 16-inch models with M5 Pro and Max chip variants)
• M5 MacBook Air - J813 and J815 (13 and 15-inch size options)
• M5 Mac Studio - J775c and J775d (M5 Max and M5 Ultra variants)
• M5 Mac mini - J873g and J873s (M5 and M5 Pro variants)
• M6 14-inch MacBook Pro - J804
• M6 Pro/Max MacBook Pro - K114c, K114s, K116c, K116s (14-inch and 16-inch models with M6 Pro and M6 Max chips)

Wearables

• Vision Air headset - N100 (a lighter and cheaper version of the Vision Pro)
• AR glasses prototype - N421 (a prototype set of lightweight AR glasses, supposedly scrapped)
• Mac-connected AR glasses - N107 (AR glasses that connected to a Mac, supposedly scrapped)
• Cheaper Vision Pro - N109 (also referred to as a second-generation Vision Pro, distinct from Vision Air)
• AI smart glasses - N50, but Apple now refers to these as N401 (Meta Ray-Bans competitor)
• Apple Watch Series 12 - N237 and N238 (Wi-Fi and Cellular)
• Apple Watch Ultra 4 - N240

Chips

There are codenames for several upcoming Apple chips that are in the works for future devices.

• AirPods H3 - T2026
• U3 (Ultra Wideband) - T2034
• M5 Pro/Max/Ultra - T6050
• M6 - T8152
• A20/A20 Pro - T8160
• S11 - T8320

Unknowns

There are also several unknown codenames that aren't linked to any currently rumored devices.

• N110
• N209
• N216
• J349
• J190
• J226

Several of these devices like the AirTag 2, the iPads, and the home hub are expected earlier in 2026, while others will be coming in late 2026 and beyond. Apple's software does not include release dates associated with codenames, so there are no known dates for when some of these devices are coming.

General Motors (GM) today announced it will be rolling out support for the Apple Wallet app's digital car key feature, but it did not provide a timeframe or mention any specific vehicle models that will be compatible. GM has four main vehicle brands in the United States and Canada, including Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac, and Buick.

During its WWDC 2025 keynote in June, Apple said that 13 additional vehicle brands would soon offer Apple Wallet car keys, and Chevrolet, GMC, and Cadillac were on the list. The feature allows users to lock, unlock, and start a compatible vehicle with an iPhone or Apple Watch. With the latest version of the feature, which utilizes Ultra Wideband technology, you can keep your iPhone in your pocket as you approach and drive the vehicle.

If your iPhone battery runs out, a Power Reserve feature ensures the Apple Wallet key can still be used for up to five hours after the device shuts off.

You can share an Apple Wallet car key with up to eight family and friends via AirDrop or any messaging app, such as the Messages app or WhatsApp.

Automakers that already offer Apple Wallet keys for select vehicles include Audi, BMW, MINI, Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, Mercedes-Benz, RAM, Volvo, Polestar, and more, with others like Acura, Porsche, Rivian, and Toyota expected to follow.

GM also announced availability of a built-in Apple Music app in select 2025 and newer Chevrolet and Cadillac models, but it has not reversed course on its decision to stop offering CarPlay in its electric (and eventually gas) vehicles.

iOS 26.3 adds a new "Notification Forwarding" setting that allows incoming notifications on an iPhone to be forwarded to a third-party device.

The setting is located in the Notification section of the Settings app under a new "Notification Forwarding" option. Apple says that notifications can only be forwarded to a single device at a time, so if Notification Forwarding is enabled with a third-party wearable, the Apple Watch won't able to receive and display notifications.

Users can choose to have a device receive notifications only from selected apps rather than all apps, and notifications will include the name of the app and all content contained in the notification.

Apple is adding this feature to relieve worldwide regulatory pressure that it is facing. The Digital Markets Act in the European Union requires Apple to provide third-party smartwatches and other devices with access to notifications and features that are normally reserved for the Apple Watch.

Apple's limited support of third-party devices has also been targeted by the U.S. Department of Justice in the antitrust case that Apple is fighting. The DoJ has accused Apple of preventing third-party smartwatches from offering Apple Watch-like functionality by restricting them from acting on incoming notifications.

Apple has been working to address all of the accusations that the DoJ made in its lawsuit, and improving notifications on third-party wearables will give the DoJ less to point to in ongoing antitrust litigation.

With iOS 26.3, Apple is making it simpler for iPhone users to transition to an Android smartphone, with new built-in tools for transferring data.

The new transfer tool allows an ‌iPhone‌ user to place their device next to an Android device to initiate a transfer process. With the two smartphones connected, users can opt to move over photos, messages, notes, apps, passwords, phone number, and more. Data transfers occur with no need to download and use a separate app, making the process simpler.

Health data, devices paired with Bluetooth, and protected items like locked notes are not transferred over to the new device.

Transferring data from an ‌iPhone‌ to an Android device wirelessly requires both devices to have the latest software, and to be connected to Wi-Fi with Bluetooth enabled. There will be an option to display a QR code on the Android device that the ‌iPhone‌ can scan to initiate the process, or there is an option to use a session ID and pairing code instead.

Google has also implemented a similar feature for transferring data from an Android to an ‌iPhone‌, so it is a two-way process between the platforms.

Last week, the European Commission said that Apple and Google designed and implemented the new transfer system to comply with the Digital Markets Act in the European Union, but it is not a Europe-only feature. The new setting is available worldwide in the iOS 26.3 beta, and it can be found under Settings > General > Transfer or Reset ‌iPhone‌ > Transfer to Android.

Apple today provided the first beta of an upcoming macOS Tahoe 26.3 update to developers for testing purposes, with the update coming three days after the launch of macOS Tahoe 26.2.

Developers can download the macOS Tahoe 26.3 update by opening up the System Settings app, selecting the General category, and then choosing Software Update. Beta Updates will need to be enabled, and a free developer account is required.

There's no word yet on what's included in macOS Tahoe 26.3, but we'll update this article if new Mac features are found.

The beta is available to developers right now, but a public beta is expected later this week. We'll likely see Apple release macOS Tahoe 26.3 at the end of January given past launch timelines.

Apple today seeded the first betas of upcoming iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3 updates to developers for testing purposes, with the software coming just a few days after Apple released iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2.

Registered developers can download the betas from the Settings app on the iPhone or iPad by going to the General section and selecting Software Update.

We don't yet know what's included in the new beta software, but because that these updates will be tested over the holiday period, Apple may be planning to focus on bug fixes and performance improvements rather than adding major new features.

When we learn what's new in the updates, we'll share details.

iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3 are limited to developers at the current time, but Apple will likely release a public beta in the next couple of days.

Apple today provided developers with the first betas of upcoming watchOS 26.3, tvOS 26.3, and visionOS 26.3 betas for testing purposes. The software comes a few days after Apple launched the 26.2 versions of each platform.

The software updates are available through the Settings app on each device, and because these are developer betas, a free developer account is required.

We don't know what new features might be added in watchOS 26.3, visionOS 26.3, and tvOS 26.3. Apple doesn't typically provide release notes for betas, so we might not know what's new until the software updates see a public launch unless there are outward-facing changes.

Apple will likely provide public beta testers with access to the tvOS 26.3 and watchOS 26.3 betas later this week, but visionOS 26.3 will remain limited to developers. The software updates will probably launch right around the end of January based on past release timelines.

GM is adding an Apple Music app to select 2025 and newer Cadillac and Chevrolet models, allowing Apple Music content to be accessed through the vehicle's infotainment system.

The ‌Apple Music‌ app will have all of the ‌Apple Music‌ features users have come to expect, such as access to curated playlists, live global radio, personalized recommendations, hands-free control with a voice assistant, and exclusive content. In supported Cadillac vehicles, Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos is available.

The native ‌Apple Music‌ app will integrate with the infotainment system, and GM says that ‌Apple Music‌ subscribers will be able to start streaming the moment they enter the car.

Audio streaming is being provided as an OnStar Basics feature for all 2026 and newer vehicles sold in the U.S. and Canada. Vehicle owners will be able to access ‌Apple Music‌ and other apps with no connectivity cost for eight years, but after that eight-year period, there will be a fee.

"We are bringing the Apple Music app to GM vehicles in a way that takes full advantage of our industry-leading audio capabilities," said Tim Twerdahl, GM's vice president of global product management. "It's the latest example of how we're expanding entertainment choices built directly into our vehicles."

Specific Cadillac vehicles that can access the ‌Apple Music‌ app include the 2025 and 2026 CT5, the 2025 Escalade IQ, and the 2026 Vistiq. Chevy vehicles with ‌Apple Music‌ include the 2025 and 2026 Blazer EV, Equinox EV and Silverado EV, along with the 2026 Corvette, Suburban and Tahoe.

GM says that the ‌Apple Music‌ app will be rolling out to additional GM vehicles and brands in the future.

GM's ‌Apple Music‌ announcement comes after the company started phasing out support for CarPlay. 2024 and later electric vehicles from GM do not have CarPlay integration, with GM instead relying on its own infotainment system. In the future, GM plans to move all vehicles to its own platform.

In a support document published on Friday, Apple said that a "technical failure" in Australia prevented some older mobile phones from being able to make emergency calls by dialing 000, and it said there is a low chance that it could happen again.

"In the rare event that these exceptional circumstances affecting mobile operators' networks were to happen again, some older mobile phones may still encounter the same issue reaching emergency services through an alternate available network," said Apple. The document does not provide many specific details, but there are some recent news reports about what sounds like a related issue affecting Samsung phones.

Apple said the issue "impacted some Australians in regional areas who attempted to make an emergency call when their primary mobile network was unavailable, even though an alternate network was available and should have connected the call." Apple said "mobile operators are taking steps to mitigate future issues."

For iPhone 12 users specifically, Apple vaguely stated that the iOS 26.2 update released last week "provides support for this scenario."

"iPhone XS, iPhone XR, iPhone 11, and all iPhone models from iPhone 13 and newer are not affected," said Apple. "For iPhone 12 users, iOS 26.2 provides support for this scenario. If it is determined that any earlier iPhone models are impacted, customers will receive additional information and guidance directly from their mobile operator."

To update your iPhone, open the Settings app on the device and tap General → Software Update.

The first foldable iPhone will feature a series of design and hardware firsts for Apple, according to details shared by the Weibo leaker known as Digital Chat Station.

According to a new post, via machine translation, Apple is developing what the leaker describes as a "wide foldable" device, a term used to refer to a horizontally oriented, book-style foldable with a large internal display. The device is said to prioritize thinness, with several major design decisions reportedly made to reduce the overall thickness of the chassis.

Chief among these is the use of a side-mounted Touch ID fingerprint sensor. The leaker claims Apple has chosen not to include 3D Face ID hardware or a 3D ultrasonic under-display fingerprint sensor, as both systems would add internal volume and complicate efforts to slim down the device.

The post further claims that the foldable's hinge has been engineered to a particularly high standard, describing the hinge design as "very strong." While no deeper technical details are provided, this aligns with long-standing industry expectations that Apple is placing heavy emphasis on hinge durability and crease reduction, areas where foldable devices have historically faced criticism.

The leaker states that the current engineering prototype features a 7.58-inch internal display equipped with an under-panel front-facing camera, often abbreviated as UPC. Under-panel camera technology allows the camera to sit beneath the display layer, eliminating visible cutouts when the camera is not in use.

For the external display, the leaker claims Apple is using a 5.25-inch panel with a punch-hole camera implemented via a HIAA (Hole-In-Active-Area) design, a technique that minimizes inactive screen space around the cutout. It is unclear what will happen to the Dynamic Island in both instances.

The post also claims the device will feature a dual 48-megapixel rear camera system described as having a "large base," which suggests a physically larger sensor size than pixel count alone indicates.

Digital Chat Station adds that the foldable smartphone segment will be "reinvigorated" next year, implying that there will be renewed momentum after a period of slower growth and incremental updates. The leaker reiterated an earlier claim that Samsung is also evaluating a new wide-format foldable device.

Digital Chat Station has a relatively good track record for Apple rumors. They accurately revealed the overall design of the iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro, the triple 48-megapixel rear camera system of the ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌, the iPhone 17's slimmer bezels and a larger display with ProMotion, ‌iPhone‌ 15 and ‌iPhone‌ 15 Plus's slightly smaller 48-megapixel sensor, and display panel design of the ‌iPhone‌ 12.

Apple Fitness+ today expanded to 28 new markets in the service's largest international rollout since launch, accompanied by new language dubbing and a K-Pop music genre.

The service today became available in Norway, Poland, the Philippines, Sweden, Vietnam, Chile, Hong Kong, India, the Netherlands, Singapore, Taiwan, and additional regions, with Japan scheduled to follow early next year. The expansion increases total availability to 49 countries, with a full list available at the bottom of Apple's press release.

Hundreds of sessions are initially available with digitally generated voice dubbing in Spanish and German, with Japanese set to be added when the service launches in Japan. New dubbed episodes will be released weekly across all supported regions.

The new dubbing system uses a generated voice modeled on each of the 28 Fitness+ trainers' real voices. Users will be able to switch audio tracks after starting a session or set a preferred language in the Fitness app, which will automatically default to the dubbed version when available. Apple has not previously offered dubbed workout content on Fitness+, instead relying on subtitles for non-English markets since the service launched in 2020.

Apple is also adding a new K-Pop music genre to the service, which will be available across workout types. The new category joins existing genres such as Upbeat Anthems, Latest Hits, Hip-Hop/R&B, and Latin Grooves.

Prior to today, Fitness+ was already available in Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, France, Germany, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Portugal, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Switzerland, the UAE, the UK, and the U.S.

The free Apple Sports app shows scores, stats, standings, and more for a variety of sports and leagues, and it should eventually gain support for one more.

The latest version of the Apple Sports app includes images for the men's PGA Tour and the women's LPGA hidden within the app's code, according to MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris. While users cannot yet follow the PGA Tour or LPGA in the app, the addition of the images suggests that support is coming soon.

The app already supports the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, Premier League, NASCAR, F1, Premier League, and more, and golf will further expand the selection.

Launched in 2024, the Apple Sports app is available on the iPhone only in the U.S., the U.K., Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Spain, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, and select other European countries.

Christmas is just over a week away, and it's getting more and more difficult to guarantee delivery for the holiday with each passing day. In order to aid in any last minute holiday shopping, we've put together a list of the best Apple and Apple accessory discounts you can still get with delivery in time for December 25th, available from retailers including Amazon and Best Buy.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

AirPods

There aren't many AirPods deals left with guaranteed holiday delivery at this point, but Best Buy does have some options for the AirPods 4 and AirPods Max. Starting with the AirPods 4, Best Buy has the base model without ANC for $84.99, down from $129.99, which is about $15 higher compared to the record low price, but still a solid last-minute deal.

You can get the USB-C AirPods Max for $449.99 this week on Best Buy, down from $549.99, with next-day delivery or same-day pickup. This isn't an all-time low price, but if you need it for Christmas it'll be your best option.

Anker

Anker has quite a few accessories on sale with guaranteed holiday delivery, ranging from USB-C wall chargers to MagSafe compatible portable batteries and much more. A highlight of the new sale is the 14-in-1 Thunderbolt 5 Dock for $339.99, down from $399.99.

Wall Chargers

• Nano USB-C 30W Foldable Charger - $12.19, down from $19.99
• 70W 3-Port USB-C Charger Block - $34.49, down from $49.99
• 160W 3-Port GaN Charger Block - $107.49, down from $149.99

Wireless Chargers

• 10,000 mAh Magnetic Power Bank - $39.99, down from $49.99
• MagGo UFO 3-in-1 Charger - $61.99, down from $89.99
• 3-in-1 Prime Qi2 Charging Station - $160.99, down from $229.99

Portable Chargers

• 5,000 mAh Ultra Slim Magnetic Power Bank - $41.24, down from $54.99
• 10,000 mAh MagGo Qi2 Power Bank - $59.49, down from $89.99
• 20,000 mAh 3-Port Power Bank - $128.99, down from $179.99

Docks

• 14-in-1 Thunderbolt 5 Dock - $339.99, down from $399.99

Apple Watch

Series 11

Amazon and Best Buy this week have all-time low prices on the Apple Watch Series 11, with $100 discounts across numerous models of the smartwatch. These discounts beat the Black Friday prices we saw last month by about $30, and both retailers have delivery options that provide guaranteed arrival dates before Christmas.

SE 3

For the Apple Watch SE 3, you'll find $50 discounts on a few models on Amazon, with prices starting at $199.00 for the 40mm GPS model. Both sizes of the GPS model have guaranteed delivery dates before Christmas as of writing, with some same-day delivery in select locations as well.

HomePod

Last month, Best Buy introduced one of the first discounts on the HomePod that we've seen in years, and the retailer has brought back this sale in time for Christmas. You can get the 2nd Gen HomePod for $269.99, down from $299.99, in both Midnight and White color options.

Apple Pencil Pro

Amazon has the Apple Pencil Pro available for $94.99, down from $129.00, which is a match for the all-time low price.

iPhone 17 Cases

Amazon this week brought back big discounts across Apple's Clear, Silicone, and TechWoven Cases for the iPhone 17 and iPhone Air lineup. Items on sale include Clear, Silicone, and TechWoven Cases for the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air.

iPhone Air

• Clear Case - $37.99, down from $49.00

iPhone 17

• Clear Case - $22.09 with on-page coupon, down from $49.00
• Silicone Case - $37.99, down from $49.00

iPhone 17 Pro

• Clear Case - $37.99, down from $49.00
• Silicone Case - $37.99, down from $49.00
• TechWoven Case - $44.00, down from $59.00

iPhone 17 Pro Max

• Clear Case - $37.99, down from $49.00
• Silicone Case - $37.99, down from $49.00
• TechWoven Case - $44.00, down from $59.00

If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.

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X (Twitter) has rolled out a set of widgets for its iOS app, enabling users to add feeds to their Home screen as well as a real-time notification count to their Lock Screen.

The Home screen widget offers only one kind, called "X News Highlights," which displays headlines of what's trending on the social media platform. The widget is available in three sizes.

There's more to be said for the Lock Screen widgets, which all come in larger and smaller kinds. "X Notifications" shows the user's notification count, while "X Messages" displays the number of unread messages in X Chat (encrypted DMs). There are also two Grok AI widgets, one for jumping straight into chat and one for voice conversations.

Apple actually teased Twitter Home screen widgets at WWDC 2020 during its iOS 14 preview, but they never came to anything, until now.

X/Twitter used to be the go-to place for breaking news and real-time information, but changes to the platform brought about by owner Elon Musk have been criticised for causing feeds to be increasingly awash with fake accounts, AI slop, and misinformation.

Apple released the AirPods Max on December 15, 2020, meaning the over-ear headphones launched five years ago today. While the AirPods Max were updated with a USB-C port and new color options last year, followed by support for lossless audio and ultra-low latency audio this year, the headphones lack some of the features that have been introduced for newer generations of the regular AirPods and the AirPods Pro.

Fortunately, it has been rumored that Apple plans to update the AirPods Max within the next few years, and they will likely receive the following 10 changes.

Earlier this year, Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said he expected lighter AirPods Max to enter mass production in 2027. However, he did not outline any other planned upgrades beyond the headphones apparently weighing less.

The current AirPods Max weigh 0.85 pounds, excluding the charging case, according to Apple.

AirPods Max still have Apple's H1 chip from 2019, so it is very likely that a second-generation pair would be equipped with the H2 chip or newer. That should unlock at least seven upgrades, including improved sound quality, increased active noise cancellation, longer battery life, Adaptive Audio, Personalized Volume, Conversation Awareness, and the ability to use "Siri" instead of "Hey Siri."

Adaptive Audio adjusts Active Noise Cancellation based on your environment — you can customize the setting to allow more or less ambient noise. Personalized Volume is a similar feature that adjusts your AirPods volume based on both your surroundings and your volume preferences. Conversation Awareness temporarily lowers your volume and enhances voices in front of you while you are talking with someone.

Other likely changes include new color options for the ear cushions and headband, as well as a redesigned carrying case. Hopefully the case gains an Ultra Wideband chip, which would unlock Precision Finding in the Find My app.

In the U.S., AirPods Max remain priced at $549, but they are frequently on sale for less at Amazon and other resellers. Unless you really want AirPods Max now, we are now at a point where waiting for the 2027 model is worthwhile.

Amazon has added a new feature to its Kindle app on iOS that uses artificial intelligence to answer questions about the book you're reading, the company has announced.

Available in the U.S. only, "Ask This Book" is described as an "expert reading assistant" that allows users to highlight any passage in what they are reading and ask questions about plot details, character relationships, and thematic elements. The feature's answers are spoiler-free, revealing information only up to the current reading position. The in-book chatbot is available in books by default, and authors cannot opt out.

"The feature uses technology, including AI, to provide instant, spoiler-free answers to customers' questions about what they're reading," Amazon told PubLunch. "Ask this Book provides short answers based on factual information about the book which are accessible only to readers who have purchased or borrowed the book and are non-shareable and non-copyable."

With the latest Kindle app update installed, readers in the U.S. can find the feature in the in-book menu, or simply highlight any passage and tap "Ask" in the contextual pop-up menu.

Ask This Book is currently limited to English-language books. Amazon plans to add the feature to Kindle devices and Android OS next year.

Apple's AirTag 4-Pack has dropped to $69.99 today on Amazon, down from the original price of $99.00. Prime members can get the accessory delivered today in many locations, while free shipping options put it arriving in time for Christmas, around Saturday, December 20.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

If you prefer shopping at Best Buy, you'll find a matching deal on the AirTag 4-pack this week. Overall, this is a solid second-best price on the AirTag 4-pack, and the first notable deal we've seen on the Bluetooth tracker since Black Friday.

If you're shopping for a single AirTag, Amazon has the AirTag 1-Pack for $24.00, down from $29.00. If you're on the hunt for more discounts, be sure to visit our Apple Deals roundup where we recap the best Apple-related bargains of the past week.

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Apple's AirPods Max launched five years ago today, marking the company's first push into the high-end over-ear headphones market under its own brand name.

Rumors about Apple's work on a pair of high-end headphones, at the time believed to be called the "AirPods Studio," heated up throughout 2020. They were announced abruptly via a somewhat unexpected press release on December 8, 2020 and went on sale the same day. Orders started arriving to customers one week later on Tuesday, December 15.

The ‌AirPods Max‌ offer many popular AirPods features such as the H1 chip, easy pairing, Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency mode, automatic switching, and Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking, but in a premium over-ear design for the first time. They also offer a headband made of a flexible mesh canopy, replaceable magnetic earcups, a Digital Crown for physical volume controls, a button for switching between ANC and Transparency, and a Smart Case for storage and to put the headphones into a low power state.

Demand for the ‌AirPods Max‌ was high immediately after launch, with shipping estimates that stretched out several months. Initial reviews of AirPods Max were favorable, applauding the headphones for being "more than enough to compete with other high-end headphones" in terms of design and sound quality. While the recommended retail price remains at $549, the ‌AirPods Max‌ are often available with discounts of over $100.

The ‌AirPods Max‌ have also been subject to criticism since their launch, including for their price relative to rival sets of high-end over-ear headphones, the design of the Smart Case, condensation inside the earcups, poor battery life (something that was later fixed via a software update), ANC strength seemingly being reduced over time, the over-head canopy's poor durability, and the long period in which the device has been left without meaningful hardware update.

Last year, Apple refreshed the AirPods Max's selection of color options and swapped the Lightning port for USB-C, but there were no other changes. Since the changes were so minor, Apple does not seem to consider the "new" model a second-generation.