Users report condensation issues with AirPods Max, may be unfixable

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Customers are concerned over a build-up of condensation beneath the ear cups of their new AirPods Max headphones.
Some customers stated that the issue occurs after just hours of usage.
AirPods Max are not water resistant, and it appears the company’s decision to make the ear cups out of aluminium is the cause of the condensation problem.

Over the past few weeks, reports of serious issues with AirPods Max have been growing louder. As of the writing of this article, a quick online search returns hundreds (if not thousands) of customers concerned over a build-up of condensation beneath the ear cups of their new AirPods Max headphones — with some stating that the issue occurs after just hours of usage. Unfortunately, this may be caused by an unfixable design flaw.

So, uhh... my AirPods Max form condensation after extended use. They’ve never been used in any humid environment. The water gets inside the drivers and has caused ear detection problems. I’ve been wearing them inside sitting at a desk mainly, nothing crazy. Super concerning issue pic.twitter.com/0pWicvxLv9
— Donald Filimon (@donaldfilimon) December 27, 2020

AirPods Max are not water resistant. Unfortunately, it appears the company’s decision to make the ear cups out of aluminium is the cause of the condensation problem. As you can see, the water build-up is noticeable enough to be a concern. As many have pointed out since its launch in December, Apple’s headphones stand out as the only over-ear headphones that are not mostly made from plastic. Aluminium looks great, but it is a notoriously poor insulator, especially when combined with body heat.

Apple has not publicly commented on the issue as of yet. With AirPods Max sold out until March, this could be potentially bad news for Apple unless they investigate and address the problem.

If you’re on the fence about buying AirPods Max, it might pay to wait and see how this plays out. With AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 3 expected to launch soon, as well as rumors of a lower-cost version of AirPods Max, 2021 is most likely going to be an exciting year for Apple’s popular wireless headphones range.

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Published to Apple Scoop on 3rd January, 2021.

Flynn Lo Faro

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Flynn has been covering technology for over a decade, with a deep focus on all things Apple. As the Editor-in-Chief of Apple Scoop, Flynn ensures the team delivers the most accurate and up-to-date information on Apple news, rumors, and product releases. His passion for tech journalism and editorial expertise guide the site’s vision and maintain its high standards.

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