Apple AirPods Max Lawsuit Claims Headphones Are Prone to Condensation Build-Up, Functionality Problems

A proposed class action lawsuit claims that a defect can cause condensation to accumulate inside the ear cups of Apple’s pricey AirPods Max headphones, resulting in connectivity issues and degraded sound quality.

The 42-page Apple lawsuit says that although the tech giant touts the AirPods Max as a premium, high-performance product, the allegedly defective design of the wireless, over-ear headphones can cause functionality problems such as connectivity interruptions, failure of the active noise cancelation feature, reduced audio quality, loss of sound in one or both ear cups and/or battery charging issues.

The AirPods class action suit contends that Apple has misled consumers by remaining silent about the apparent defect, which, per the case, can allow moisture to build up and seep into the headphones’ drivers after as little as an hour of normal use. Though the tech giant is allegedly well aware of the nature and extent of the design problem, it has continued to market and sell the product without warning customers, the complaint claims.

AirPods Max headphones hit a sour note with consumers, suit argues

According to the AirPods Max lawsuit, the item retails for $549—the company’s most expensive headphones—and is advertised as an “innovative” product that delivers “unparalleled” and “exhilarating high-fidelity audio.”

However, despite Apple’s representations, numerous consumers have complained online, including on Apple’s own community boards, about performance problems following condensation build-up in the ear cups of their AirPods Max, the filing says. Users have reported having lost connection to their wireless network with even slight head movements, and that their headphones sometimes fail to connect at all unless they are reset, which apparently happens with “increasing frequency as the condensation worsens,” the class action suit describes.

A Forbes article published in January 2021, just over a year after the headphones were rolled out, suggests that the root of the issue is that the AirPods Max ear cups are made from aluminum—a “poor insulator” that may produce condensation as heat builds up during use.

The article also asserted that not only has Apple refused to publicly acknowledge the alleged defect, the company has offered no remedy and required customers to pay out of pocket for repairs.

“In other words, Apple blames the customer for allowing the AirPods Max to retain moisture, when in fact Apple’s own design Defect causes the damaging moisture through condensation,” the Apple lawsuit charges. “Then, adding insult to injury, Apple requires customers to pay to repair the AirPods Max that they have only owned for a short period of time.”

The case argues that reasonable consumers expect premium-priced headphones to be free of defects, especially given that Apple does not disclose anywhere on product packaging or in marketing materials that the product is prone to condensation build-up.

Had consumers known about the apparent AirPods Max defect, they would not have bought the headphones and “would certainly not have paid $549,” the complaint contends.

Who’s covered by the Apple AirPods Max lawsuit?

The lawsuit looks to represent all individuals or entities in New York who purchased Apple AirPods Max headphones.

I bought AirPods Max headphones. What do I do to join the lawsuit?

Usually you don’t need to do anything to join or add your name to a class action lawsuit when it’s first filed. It’s typically only in the event of a class action settlement that the people covered by the deal—known as class members—need to act.

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