Former Apple designer Eugene Whang says the over‑ear headphones that debuted in 2020 had been in development for half a decade. He told Highsnobiety that engineers iterated on three core components—the headband, the case and the ear cushions—testing “hundreds and hundreds of variations” before settling on the final form. The effort began well before the 2016 launch of the original AirPods.

Whang explained that the team deliberately omitted the familiar Apple logo, reasoning that “we didn’t want to brand your head.” Design sessions were egalitarian, with everyone critiquing ideas rather than personalities, a practice he says echoed Jony Ive’s emphasis on interior detail. PCB layout, component placement and internal “Tetris” received as much attention as the exterior.

The painstaking five‑year timeline shows that AirPods Max were never an afterthought to the original AirPods but a separate, high‑fidelity project. By the time the headphones finally arrived, Apple had already set a precedent for premium audio wearables, and the extensive prototyping underscores why the product feels meticulously crafted rather than rushed.

After the launch, Whang departed Apple alongside Jony Ive, joining the former’s design studio LoveFrom. There he contributed to projects ranging from tech hardware to interior concepts, including a showcase for the Ferrari Luce electric vehicle. His departure highlights how Apple’s internal talent pipeline continues to influence design beyond the company’s own product lines.