A federal judge has significantly pared down a class-action lawsuit targeting Apple's AirPods Max for a condensation defect. The suit, filed by two plaintiffs, alleged that moisture buildup inside the ear cups degraded sound quality, interfered with features like ear detection and noise cancellation, and impacted charging during normal indoor use.

In a ruling, Judge Orelia E. Merchant dismissed claims brought under New York law, stating that the state's warranty of merchantability only requires a product to meet a "minimal level of quality." The judge noted that at least one plaintiff successfully used his AirPods Max for their intended purpose. The plaintiff from New York was removed from the case entirely.

However, claims brought under Washington state law and the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act may proceed for the plaintiff from Washington. This lawsuit is not the first to face challenges; an earlier case in California was resolved through individual settlements. The $549 AirPods Max, known for their aluminum ear cups, have seen reports of condensation since their December 2020 launch, with the issue persisting in the newer AirPods Max 2 model.