AirPods Max Now Backordered Until March in All Colors [Updated]

Apple today introduced new wireless over-ear headphones called AirPods Max, and delivery estimates have already slipped into 2021 on Apple.com.

airpods max blue
AirPods Max in all five color options, including space gray, silver, green, sky blue, and pink, are now estimated for delivery in 12-14 weeks. While the estimates could change at any time, this means the AirPods Max are currently backordered until March. (Oddly enough, faster shipping remains available with engraving, while supplies last.)

AirPods Max feature a meshed headband with a stainless steel frame that connects to memory foam ear cups. Apple says the headband is designed to distribute weight and reduce on-head pressure. Like the Apple Watch, the AirPods Max have a Digital Crown for volume control, audio playback, answering or ending phone calls, and activating Siri. There is also a noise control button for switching between Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode.

AirPods Max feature a 40-mm Apple-designed dynamic driver that is said to provide "rich, deep bass, accurate mid-ranges, and crisp, clean high-frequency extension." Each ear cup is equipped with Apple's H1 chip for "computational audio" to deliver the "highest quality listening experience possible," according to Apple.

AirPods Max feature up to 20 hours of battery life with Active Noise Cancellation and spatial audio enabled, and a five-minute charge delivers 1.5 hours of listening time.

For more details about AirPods Max, read our announcement coverage. For those who have already ordered, there is a running forum thread to discuss your AirPods Max pre-orders.

Related Roundup: AirPods Max
Buyer's Guide: AirPods Max (Neutral)
Related Forum: AirPods

Popular Stories

maxresdefault

Apple Shows Off a Key Reason to Upgrade to the iPhone 17

Saturday February 7, 2026 9:26 am PST by
Apple today shared an ad that shows how the upgraded Center Stage front camera on the latest iPhones improves the process of taking a group selfie. "Watch how the new front facing camera on iPhone 17 Pro takes group selfies that automatically expand and rotate as more people come into frame," says Apple. While the ad is focused on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, the regular iPhone...
Finder Siri Feature

Why Apple's iOS 26.4 Siri Upgrade Will Be Bigger Than Originally Promised

Friday February 6, 2026 3:06 pm PST by
In the iOS 26.4 update that's coming this spring, Apple will introduce a new version of Siri that's going to overhaul how we interact with the personal assistant and what it's able to do. The iOS 26.4 version of Siri won't work like ChatGPT or Claude, but it will rely on large language models (LLMs) and has been updated from the ground up. Upgraded Architecture The next-generation...
wwdc sans text feature

Apple Rumored to Announce New Product on February 19

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:22 pm PST by
Apple plans to announce the iPhone 17e on Thursday, February 19, according to Macwelt, the German equivalent of Macworld. The report, citing industry sources, is available in English on Macworld. Apple announced the iPhone 16e on Wednesday, February 19 last year, so the iPhone 17e would be unveiled exactly one year later if this rumor is accurate. It is quite uncommon for Apple to unveil...
apple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro

Apple Says These 7 U.S. States Plan to Offer iPhone Driver's Licenses

Monday February 9, 2026 6:24 am PST by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, and then use it to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. The feature is currently available in 13 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, and it is expected to launch in at least seven more in the future. To set up the...
14 inch MacBook Pro Keyboard

New MacBook Pros Could Now Arrive in March

Sunday February 8, 2026 6:02 am PST by
New MacBook Pro models with the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips could arrive as soon as Monday, March 2, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In today's "Power On" newsletter, Gurman said that the release of new MacBook Pro models is tied to the release of macOS Tahoe 26.3. The launch is said to be slated for as early as the week of March 2. He added that the M4 Pro and M4 Max models on sale today...

Top Rated Comments

joecomo Avatar
68 months ago
excess of demand or lack of stock :) ?
Score: 30 Votes (Like | Disagree)
imran5720 Avatar
68 months ago
who is buying those? everyone on MR was saying they are expensive :)
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Jett0516 Avatar
68 months ago
I bought all colors ?
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
citysnaps Avatar
68 months ago

excess of demand or lack of stock :) ?
It makes no sense to spend the money to design a product, set up manufacturing and a supply chain, invest in marketing, etc and then artificially hold back production.

I realize that doesn't align with the narrative the unhappy are clinging to in order to feel better.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Marco Klobas Avatar
68 months ago

who is buying those? everyone on MR was saying they are expensive :)
Indeed.

It's the same story over and over again, lately – with the exception, maybe, for the HomePod, maybe...

It's ugly, pricy, Apple is doomed, terrible, LOL, what are smoking at Apple, etc. ... and yet it's selling like hot cakes. :)
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jlseattle Avatar
68 months ago
Funny I squeaked in and got the blue ones before the ship date jumped. :)
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)