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Facebook, otherwise known as Meta, has been crowned the worst company of the year, following a turbulent 12 months of controversies, public backlash, and an eventual entire rebrand of the social media giant, according to a survey conducted by Yahoo Finance.

Yahoo Finance every year crowns the best company of the year, with Microsoft taking the top spot for 2021. This year, however, Yahoo Finance also did a "worst company of the year" challenge, with Facebook, now known as Meta, quickly taking the top spot. According to the survey, which polled over 1,000 individuals, Facebook received 50% more votes for the spot compared to Alibaba, a Chinese e-commerce platform.

Those surveyed have a "litany of grievances" towards Facebook, including but not limited to concerns over censorship, reports about Instagram's impact on mental health, and privacy. While the survey results are grim and not in the company's favor, 30% of the participants responded positively to whether Facebook could "redeem itself."

Facebook, amid scandals, did rebrand itself to "Meta," marking the start of a new direction for the company, according to its founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg. The new name is meant to be more in line with the goal of building a "Metaverse," an entirely digital world. The rebrand was widely seen as an attempt to distract from scrutiny, and according to some participants in the survey, it worked.

One respondent said Facebook could redeem itself by acknowledging and apologizing for what it did and donating a "sizable amount" of its profits for a foundation to help reverse its harm. While some people saw the Meta rebrand as a cynical attempt to change the conversation... others were excited by the potential of a new direction that could a) be interesting and b) something different from the aging social media model.

Facebook has long been embroiled in public concerns over the privacy of its users. Facebook has notably fought with Apple over changes in iOS and iPadOS that make it harder for companies to track users across other apps and websites.

Facebook has claimed the new change, App Tracking Transparency, would hurt small businesses that rely on advertising to attract new customers. Mark Zuckerberg has gone as far as to say that Facebook's lackluster growth in the last quarter of the year was partly to blame on ATT (App Tracking Transparency).

Apple CEO Tim Cook has also not shied away from calling out Facebook for its practices and business model. In a speech at the start of the year, Cook implied that Facebook's business model leads to polarization and violence. A Meta spokesperson declined to respond to a comment from Yahoo Finance regarding the survey.

Just a week ahead of Christmas, things remain busy in the Apple news and rumor world, with Apple this week releasing iOS 15.2, macOS Monterey 12.1, and other related operating system updates. Unfortunately, the much-anticipated Universal Control feature didn't make the cut, so we'll have to wait until 2022 for that.

As far as rumors go, we heard more about next year's iPhone 14, an updated larger iMac, and potentially some new external displays, so read on for details on these stories and more!

iOS 15.2 Released: Here is Everything New

Apple this week released iOS 15.2 and iPadOS 15.2 following over a month and a half of beta testing. As usual, there are lots of new features, such as the App Privacy Report and Communication Safety, so make sure to check out our list of everything new in iOS 15.2.

On our YouTube channel, we went hands on with the Apple Music Voice Plan, which is available starting with iOS 15.2. The plan lets you use Apple Music exclusively with Siri for $4.99 per month, but there are some limitations, so be sure to watch the video for more details.

Apple also released macOS 12.1 with SharePlay, as well as watchOS 8.3 for the Apple Watch and tvOS 15.2 for the Apple TV.

Apple Delays Universal Control Feature Until Spring 2022

One of the key new features that Apple announced for macOS Monterey was Universal Control, but it has yet to be released, and Apple has now confirmed the feature has been delayed until spring 2022.

Universal Control will allow for several Macs and iPads placed side by side to be controlled with a single mouse or trackpad. Apple previously said the feature would be available before the end of the year.

iPhone 14 Pro Models Rumored to Feature 48-Megapixel Camera and 8GB of RAM

While it has only been a few months since Apple released the iPhone 13 lineup, rumors are already starting to surface about iPhone 14 models.

According to analyst Jeff Pu, two iPhone 14 Pro models set to be released in September 2022 will be equipped with an upgraded 48-megapixel main camera and an increased 8GB of RAM. For more details, read our story on how the 48-megapixel camera is expected to work.

27-Inch iMac Pro With Mini-LED Display Expected to Launch in Spring 2022

One of the first new Apple products expected to launch next year is a 27-inch iMac with an Apple silicon chip and a mini-LED display in the spring.

According to display industry analyst Ross Young, the new 27-inch iMac will support ProMotion with a variable refresh rate up to 120Hz. The computer is expected to be powered by the same M1 Pro and M1 Max chips as found in the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro, and we've put together a short video going over everything we've heard about the machine so far.

Apple Rumored to Launch Lower-Priced 24-Inch and 27-Inch External Displays: What to Expect

In addition to a new 27-inch iMac, rumors suggest Apple is also planning to release consumer-oriented 24-inch and 27-inch external displays that would be more affordable than the high-end Pro Display XDR.

Apple is also said to be planning a new Pro Display XDR with an Apple silicon chip and added support for ProMotion. The current Pro Display XDR was released in December 2019 and costs a hefty $4,999.

No Foldable iPhone Expected Until 2023 at the Earliest, But 2024 More Likely

Apple is not expected to introduce a foldable iPhone until 2023 at the earliest, with 2024 being the more likely target date, according to display analyst Ross Young, who has a reliable track record with Apple rumors.

Back in May, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that Apple was working to launch a foldable ‌iPhone‌ with an 8-inch flexible OLED display in 2023, but he has said little else about Apple's work on foldable devices since then.

MacRumors Newsletter

Each week, we publish an email newsletter like this highlighting the top Apple stories, making it a great way to get a bite-sized recap of the week hitting all of the major topics we've covered and tying together related stories for a big-picture view.

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Users could be able to get their hands on Apple's long-rumored augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) headset within a year, as rumors begin to zone in on a timeframe for the device's release date.

Apple's headset device, which is expected to offer both AR and VR functionality with applications for gaming, media, and communication, could be in customers hands sooner rather than later, according to recent reports. While an exact date is unknown, the rough timeframe is becoming increasingly clear.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo recently said that Apple's headset is on track for launch in the fourth quarter of 2022. Kuo originally said that the device was scheduled for launch in the second quarter of 2022, but after a number of delays with kickstarting mass production, it seems that the fourth quarter is the timeframe Apple is now targeting. The fourth quarter of 2022 runs from October 1 to December 31, meaning that an announcement could be less than 10 months away.

There is also the chance that Apple could offer the first glimpse of its headset at WWDC in June next year to give developers enough time to prepare apps for it ahead of launch. Morgan Stanley analysts say that the project is now "approaching liftoff," with it mirroring the timeline of the Apple Watch's development before its launch.

The headset is expected to offer a lightweight design, two 4K micro-LED displays, 15 optical modules, two main processors, Wi-Fi 6E connectivity, eye tracking, a see-through AR mode, object tracking, and hand gesture controls. The device's exact price point is as yet unclear, but some reports indicate that it could cost customers around $3,000.

For detailed information about everything you need to know about Apple's long-awaited mixed-reality headset, see our comprehensive roundup.

Apple today seeded the first betas of upcoming iOS 15.3 and iPadOS 15.3 updates to developers for testing purposes, with the new software coming four days after the launch of iOS 15.2 and iPadOS 15.2.

iOS and iPadOS 15.3 can be downloaded through the Apple Developer Center or over the air after the proper profile has been installed on an iPhone or an iPad.

iOS 15.3 leaked earlier today after it was discovered that links were included but hidden on Apple's developer downloads page, suggesting the beta was planned for release yesterday alongside the first macOS 12.2 beta, but held back for unknown reasons.

We don't yet know what might be included in the new iOS and iPadOS 15.3 updates, but our initial look at the downloads suggests that changes are minor. There are a few features that Apple has yet to implement, such as Universal Control and support for IDs in the Wallet app. ‌Universal Control‌ will let multiple Macs and iPads be controlled with the same keyboard and mouse, and Apple recently said that the feature will come out in the spring. Based on a lack of signs of these features in this first beta, it appears Apple will hold off on support for them until iOS 15.4.

As for digital IDs in the Wallet app, that's something that has been in the works since June. Arizona, Georgia, Connecticut, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Oklahoma, and Utah are expected to be the first states to implement digital ID support, and Florida is also in talks to support the feature.

Apple today seeded the first beta of an upcoming watchOS 8.4 beta to developers for testing purposes, with the new software coming four days after the release of watchOS 8.3.

To install watchOS 8.4, developers will need to download the configuration profile from the Apple Developer Center. Once installed, ‌‌‌‌watchOS 8‌‌‌‌ can be downloaded through the dedicated Apple Watch app on the iPhone by going to General > Software update.

To update to new software, an Apple Watch needs to have 50 percent battery life, it must be placed on the charger, and it needs to be in range of the ‌‌‌‌‌iPhone‌‌‌‌‌.

We don't yet know what's new in the watchOS 8.4 update, but if new features are found, we'll update this article.

We're tracking a pair of last-minute Christmas deals on Amazon today, including a record low price on the 21.5-inch iMac and free Amazon gift card credit with the purchase of an Apple Gift Card.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

Starting with the iMac, you can get the 21.5-inch iMac (2.3GHz, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) from mid 2020 for $799.00, down from $1,099.00. This is now the best price we've ever seen on this version of the iMac.

This iMac is an older model, so it has the classic silver aluminum design with a large black bezel, and doesn't have the M1 chip. Amazon also has the 2020 27-inch iMac (8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) on sale for $1,399.99, and both of these desktop computers can deliver before Christmas.

Next, Amazon is offering $10 in promotional credit when you buy the $100 Apple Gift Card. Simply choose a design for the Apple Gift Card, select the $100 denomination, enter a recipient, and then enter the code APPLEDIGITAL at checkout.

The Apple Gift Card will be delivered via email, so you don't need to worry about shipping delays if you're shopping for stocking stuffers. Only one gift card can be purchased per customer, and Amazon hasn't specified how long this sale will last.

Be sure to visit our full Deals Roundup to shop for even more Apple-related products and accessories.

While the inclusion of a display notch on the latest MacBook Pro was derided by many from its first appearance as a rumor ahead of the machine's unveiling, it's now a fact of life for those who have purchased Apple's latest pro notebook.

Various apps and wallpaper designs to hide the notch have popped up, but The Iconfactory has gone in the opposite direction, embracing the notch with a simple new app called "Notchmeister" that lets you add effects to the notch.

So what does Notchmeister do?

Think of it as a fun way to spruce up your notch. Or as a screen saver for something you can’t see. Or, maybe, just a useless waste of time.

The free app offers a handful of effects you can apply to the area of your screen around the notch, including festive holiday lights dangling from the notch, a pop-up radar screen, and a glow effect that tracks your pointer when it moves behind the notch.

Yes, it's gimmicky, but it's a free download from the Mac App Store, an interesting proof of concept, and worth a few minutes to play with.

The 24-inch iMac got a major refresh in 2021, and in 2022, it's the larger 27-inch ‌iMac‌'s turn to get a design overhaul. We've been sharing "‌iMac‌ Pro" rumors for a few months now, and today, we have a quick rundown of everything we might see in one bite-sized article and highlight video.

Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos.

Feature List

• 27-inch display
• Mini-LED
• 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate
• Pro Display XDR-like design
• Black bezels
• M1 Pro/M1 Max chips
• Thunderbolt ports, SD card slot, HDMI port
• Ethernet port power adapter
• ‌iMac‌ Pro naming to differentiate from 24-inch ‌iMac‌
• ~$2000 starting price

Release Date

We may not have too long to wait for the ‌iMac‌ Pro, with rumors this week pointing to a launch in spring 2022. If accurate, that means we could see the new ‌iMac‌ at a spring event, perhaps in March. Apple often holds its first event of the year in the spring, so the new ‌iMac‌ could be one of the first updated products of the year.

Read More

For more on what to expect from the 2022 ‌iMac‌ Pro, we have a dedicated guide where we aggregate all of the rumors. It's our best ‌iMac‌ Pro rumor resource to bookmark because we update it on a regular basis.

For this week's giveaway, we've teamed up with Harber London to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win a City Backpack that's perfect for holding a MacBook Pro and other Apple gear.

Priced at $513, the City Backpack can accommodate a 13 to 16-inch laptop in the dedicated laptop compartment, so it works with even Apple's largest 16-inch machine. There's also a built-in tablet pocket that's able to fit the 12.9-inch iPad Pro with attached Smart Keyboard or smaller tablets, so it's an ideal solution for those who have several Apple devices.

Along with the two device pockets, there's an inside water bottle pocket and smaller pockets for accessories such as an Apple Pencil. With all of the space inside, it has a 13.6L total capacity, which is a good size for a daily commute.

The exterior of the bag is made from a premium full grain cowhide leather and it's available in tan, black, or deep brown. According to Harber London, the bag will age well and develop a unique patina overtime.

Inside, there's a soft-woven cotton twill material that's designed to provide a heritage feel, and it comes with aviation grade aluminum buckles. A magnetic strap that goes across the chest is also available to distribute the weight and make wearing the backpack more comfortable, plus there's a luggage strap.

We have one City Backpack to give away to a MacRumors reader. To enter to win, use the Gleam.io widget below and enter an email address. Email addresses will be used solely for contact purposes to reach the winners and send the prizes. You can earn additional entries by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, subscribing to our YouTube channel, following us on Twitter, following us on Instagram, or visiting the MacRumors Facebook page.

Due to the complexities of international laws regarding giveaways, only U.S. residents who are 18 years or older, UK residents who are 18 years or older, and Canadian residents (excluding Quebec) who have reached the age of majority in their province or territory are eligible to enter. All federal, state, provincial, and/or local taxes, fees, and surcharges are the sole responsibility of the prize winner. To offer feedback or get more information on the giveaway restrictions, please refer to our Site Feedback section, as that is where discussion of the rules will be redirected.

Harber London Giveaway

The contest will run from today (December 17) at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time through 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time on December 24. The winner will be chosen randomly on December 24 and will be contacted by email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address before a new winner is chosen.

Apple is rebuilding the Music app for macOS as a fully native app, according to beta code seen by 9to5Mac.

Code in the first beta of macOS Monterey 12.2, seeded to developers yesterday, shows that Apple is rebuilding the Music app using AppKit, macOS's native interface framework. The move will lead to significant improvements to the performance and experience of using the Music app, but no significant UI or interface changes.

According to 9to5Mac, the Music app is currently using JET, a technology to turn web content into native apps. The current Music app, which replaced iTunes but uses the same back-end, is heavily reliant on loaded-in Apple Music web content, which some users have criticised for having sluggish responsiveness and usability issues.

While some parts of the Music app, such as the library, were already native, Mac users will notice that searching for media in ‌Apple Music‌ is faster, displaying rebuilt native interfaces. As a result, scrolling, gestures, and animations are also more responsive.

Apple is likely still improving the new native parts of the app, so some interface elements or effects may currently be missing. Apple already rebuilt parts of the Apple TV app using JET in macOS Monterey 12.1.

What appears to be the initial beta of the upcoming iOS and iPadOS 15.3 update has leaked, revealing that the next major iPhone and iPad update is likely to be focused on bug fixes, performance improvements, and security enhancements, rather than larger features destined to be part of software updates in the upcoming spring.

The build of the iOS 15.3 beta, obtained by MacRumors, includes only a few notable changes including wording regarding the newly launched Child Safety features, small tweaks to the Podcasts app, and modified text regarding the automatic download of magazines in Apple News+ for offline reading. While this is likely only the first of several betas, it does indicate that the forthcoming update is likely to be a more minor update than what some may be hoping for.

MacRumors analytics have shown an increase in devices on iOS 15.3, with the uptick happening around the beginning of the month. Likewise, those same analytics show a stable and consistent pattern of visits from devices running iOS and iPadOS 15.4. The latter could be a more significant update, with more front-end users changes than what iOS 15.3 is seemingly poised to be.

One feature that many have kept an eye out for is Universal Control. Apple has officially delayed the feature, first demoed at WWDC in June, until the spring. ‌Universal Control‌ has yet to appear for developers and public beta testers.

Apple yesterday restarted its macOS beta cycle with macOS Monterey 12.2. Neither macOS 12.2 nor the leaked build of iPadOS 15.3 includes ‌Universal Control‌, adding credence that the approaching iPadOS 15.4 and accompanying macOS update, reasonably set for sometime in the spring, will add the highly anticipated feature and other new changes.

‌Universal Control‌ is one of two features initially announced at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference in June that have yet to be released. Alongside ‌Universal Control‌, Apple says that the ability for users to add their ID cards and driver's license to the Wallet app in participating states will be available in early 2022.

Apple this week released iOS and iPadOS 15.2, which includes a newly redesigned Notification Summary, App Privacy Reports, and more. iOS 15.2 follows iOS 15.1 and iPadOS 15.1, released earlier in the fall, bringing FaceTime's new SharePlay feature.

Update 10:10 am: The download links for the unreleased iOS 15.3 beta came straight from the source code for Apple's developer downloads page. The initial betas of iOS 15.3, iPadOS 15.3, watchOS 8.4, and tvOS 15.3 were apparently supposed to be released to developers yesterday alongside macOS 12.2, but were pulled back at the last moment. Rather than removing them from the page, however, Apple simply commented the entries out in the HTML so that they didn't show up on the page.

(Special thanks to Berkin Ceylan!)

Amazon this week has introduced a new all-time low price on the 32GB Apple TV HD that comes bundled with the new Siri Remote. This accessory is now priced at $124.98, down from $149.00, beating the previous low price from August by about $5 and marking the best price of the year.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

This version is the same fourth generation Apple TV HD device that was released in 2015, but now it's bundled with the revamped Siri Remote. The new accessory features a one-piece aluminum body, tactile clickpad with five-way navigtation, and rearranged buttons.

The Apple TV HD is in stock now and ready to ship within 1-2 days, so you still have time to order it in time for Christmas delivery. You can also get the newer 32GB Apple TV 4K model delivered for Christmas, but its deal isn't as steep as the HD version, priced at $169.99, down from $179.00.

Our full Deals Roundup has more information on the latest Apple-related sales and bargains.

Feral Interactive has released its much-anticipated port of Alien: Isolation for iPhone and iPad, which MacRumors sister site TouchArcade is calling "one of the best iOS conversions ever."

Launched in 2014 on PS4, Xbox, PC, and more, the first-person action adventure game was lauded for its emphasis on stealth and survival horror in the player's confrontation with a single alien, as well as its atmospheric lo-fi, 1970s vision of the future inspired by the original "Alien" movie.

Players take on the role of Ellen Ripley's daughter, Amanda, as she strives to unravel the mystery behind her mother's disappearance. Aboard the desolate Sevastopol space station, her search for answers soon becomes a desperate fight for survival as she's relentlessly hunted by the deadly xenomorph.

Praising Feral's faithful port as a "phenomenal conversion," TouchArcade's Mikhail Madnani says the game has "aged brilliantly" and is made all the more enjoyable thanks to the high-quality visuals and graphical options, not to mention Feral's inclusion of full touchscreen support, controller support, and even keyboard and mouse support on ‌iPad‌.

If you've not played Alien: Isolation before, the mobile version is phenomenal. It isn't just a good value proposition with all DLC included at the low asking price of $14.99 compared to other platforms, but it looks and runs brilliantly even compared to the Xbox and PS4 versions. I know Feral Interactive is capable of miracle mobile conversions, but this Alien: Isolation is on a whole other level.

Priced at $14.99 and available now on the App Store, Alien: Isolation on iOS includes the base game, all seven DLC packs including "Crew Expendable," "Last Survivor," and the "Survivor Mode." The "Survivor Mode" is an additional download, making the game's total install size around 11GB. The game has also been released on the Google Play Store for Android.

The game supports ‌iPhone‌ 7 Plus, ‌iPhone‌ 8 Plus, ‌iPhone‌ X and later, and ‌iPhone‌ SE (2020). Supported iPads include the iPad mini 5 (2019) and later, iPad Air 3 (2019) and later, ‌iPad‌ 7 (2019) and later, iPad Pro 1st gen (2015), 12.9-inch model only, and ‌iPad Pro‌ 2nd gen (2017) and later.

A number of 14 and 16-inch MacBook Pro owners that have a machine with ProMotion support are reporting seeing smoother Safari scrolling and performance since installing the macOS 12.2 beta, suggesting ProMotion support is finally working as intended.

After upgrading, multiple MacRumors forum members have said that ProMotion is functional and has improved the Safari experience on their machines.

Since the mini-LED ‌MacBook Pro‌ models launched in October, there have been complaints about Safari scrolling and a lack of ProMotion support. ProMotion has been working and functional for some apps on the Mac, but not others, and Safari is one of those apps where it was not working as expected.

‌MacBook Pro‌ owners who have noticed the lack of ProMotion will be able to get smoother, more fluid Safari scrolling experience when upgrading to macOS Monterey 12.2. The update is available to developers at the current time, and a public beta will likely be released in the near future.

As the beta just came out today, it will be a few weeks at least before the software update sees a public launch.

Apple is creating a new office that will focus on wireless chip production as the company works to bring more of its chip development in-house, reports Bloomberg.

Apple is hiring a few dozen engineers for an office in Southern California to develop components that may eventually replace parts that are currently sourced from companies like Broadcom, Skyworks, and Qualcomm. The office is located in Irvine, California, which is close to Los Angeles and where major chip makers are located.

Based on job listings, Apple is seeking employees who have expertise in modem chips and wireless semiconductors, and at the facility, employees will work on wireless radios, radio-frequency integrated semiconductors, and semiconductors for connecting to Bluetooth and WiFi.

"Apple's growing wireless silicon development team is developing the next generation of wireless silicon!" one job listing says. Another says employees will "be at the center of a wireless SoC design group with a critical impact on getting Apple's state-of-the-art wireless connectivity solutions into hundreds of millions of products."

Apple in 2020 signed a multi-year deal with Broadcom, which was set to last for three and a half years, which means it will expire in 2023. Under the terms of the deal, Broadcom supplies Apple with "range of specified high-performance wireless components and modules."

When the contract expires, Apple will no longer need to use Broadcom components and can instead rely on its own components.

Apple has been working to bring more of its chip production in-house to reduce its reliance on third-party suppliers. Apple is fairly far along on its development of a 5G modem chip, for example, and when work on that chip is complete, the company will be able to stop sourcing 5G chips from Qualcomm.

Current rumors suggest that Apple's modem chips will be ready for use in the 2023 iPhone models, so Apple will continue to use Qualcomm chips for the iPhone 14 lineup.

Longtime Apple supplier TSMC will manufacture the Apple-designed 5G modems for the 2023 iPhones, and Qualcomm has already acknowledged that it expects to supply only 20 percent of the modems for the 2023 ‌iPhone‌, with Apple largely relying on its own 5G chips.

Apple today seeded the first beta of an upcoming macOS Monterey 12.2 update to developers for testing purposes, with the new software coming shortly after the release of macOS Monterey 12.1.

Registered developers can download the beta through the Apple Developer Center and after the appropriate profile is installed, betas will be available through the Software Update mechanism in System Preferences.

We don't yet know what's included in macOS Monterey 12.2, but Apple has yet to implement a major feature -- Universal Control. ‌Universal Control‌ is designed to allow a single mouse and trackpad to be used with multiple Macs and iPads, and Apple has said it will be launching this spring.

We'll update this article when we find out what's new in macOS Monterey 12.2. Apple has also seeded a macOS Big Sur 11.6.3 beta for those who are still running Big Sur.

Apple's AirPods Max Smart Case is sufficient for the high-end headphones in day-to-day use. When traveling or out and about, however, the case can be problematic given the headphones' canopy remains exposed and prone to be easily damaged when put in a bag or handled with little care. Woolnut's Leather Case aims to provide customers an easy way to store their ‌AirPods Max‌ while traveling or as simply an alternative to Apple's Smart Case.

Build Quality and Materials

The case is made from high-quality Scandinavian leather and offered in three different colors: black, brown, and dark green. We'll be looking at the brown option for this review, though all remain the same in functionality, price, and design. Compared to other leather-branded cases and accessories, the exterior of Woolnut's case feels premium and on par with what you should expect from a case intended to store $549 headphones.

In the two weeks I've been testing and using the case as my primary ‌AirPods Max‌ storage compartment, I've noticed very little exterior damage besides normal smudges and dents that can be wiped away or are too minor to see at first glance. Overall, I'm impressed with the case's build, including the durability of the leather and the quality of the stitching.

The case comes with a "Premium YKK EXCELLA zipper" made in Japan. Woolnut describes the zipper as "the world's most exclusive metal zippers with fully polished individual elements." While all of that may be true, they aren't anything special and certainly should not be a key factor in any customer's decision to purchase the case. They're regular zippers that zip open and closed and have, so far, stood the test of time.

One downside of the design of the case is the lack of an external handle. With Apple's Smart Case, the ‌AirPods Max‌'s canopy serves as a handle for the headphones, making it easy to carry around. In Woolnut's accessory, no such handle exists, making it a slight inconvenience.

Usability and Functionality

‌AirPods Max‌ are a uniquely designed pair of headphones. The ear cuffs rotate to allow the headphones to be fully flat, but creating a case for them is a challenge, even for Apple. I must applaud Woolnut for their efforts in designing a case designed to store the headphones, but they don't entirely hit the mark.

I have little to practically no complaints regarding the placement of the headphones within the case but would point out that it's not an entirely snug fit. The ‌AirPods Max‌ do move around when they're inside the case, and that was my experience from only minimal testing and movement.

In scenarios where this case may be used for travel where sudden movements and jerking around may be more prominent, the fit of the headphones may be problematic. With that being said, the non-snug fit and movement within the case are not drastic enough to cause damage to the high-end headphones, but it is, nonetheless, something to consider.

The material and padding on the inside of the case are soft and delicate enough to keep your ‌AirPods Max‌ free of any scuffs, dents, or scratches. On the base of the inside of the case, there is a storage compartment for a power adapter, and at the top of the case, a place to store a Lightning cable for charging the headphones. Both are welcome additions. For customers outside of the U.S. or Canada who may have larger power adapters, though, including myself, they may find the elastic holder to be a very tight fit.

A nice addition that comes with the case is a cloth bag, which offers protection for the ‌AirPods Max‌ case itself when traveling or simply being stored.

Power Saving Mode and Charging

One feature of Apple's controversial Smart Case offered with Woolnut's Leather ‌AirPods Max‌ case is a power-saving mode. With Apple's Smart Case, ‌AirPods Max‌ enter a low power mode to preserve battery life when inserted. That same technology is brought to Woolnut's case, which uses magnets to detect when the headphones are in the case and begins to preserve battery life.

To charge the ‌AirPods Max‌, the case offers a cut-out hole to access the built-in lightning port on the headphones. With the case closed, it's a tough challenge to plug in ‌AirPods Max‌ to charge.

Due to the angle of the cut-out and the design of the case, charging ‌AirPods Max‌ is challenging since forcing the Lightning cable into ‌the port causes the headphones to move up inside of the case. If you need to charge your ‌AirPods Max‌ and keep it within the case, plug them in using the cut-out with the case open rather than close. It'll make your experience significantly better.

Conclusion

Woolnut's ‌AirPods Max‌ Leather Case is one of many alternatives to Apple's Smart Case on the market. The material and build quality are on-par with what customers should expect, but weird design quirks, such as those making charging more difficult and the non-snug fit of the headphones, make it hard to flat-out recommend.

For customers simply looking for an alternative to Apple's Smart Case, Woolnut's offering is a reasonable choice. For customers looking for a case to travel with their ‌AirPods Max‌ in, I would advise scouting other options first before landing on this case.

How To Buy

Woolnut's AirPods Max Leather case is currently, at the time of writing, out of stock and hence is available for pre-order for $130, with shipments resuming in early January 2022.

Note: Woolnut provided MacRumors with the leather case for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.