We may earn compensation from reviewed products. Learn about our editorial policies.
It’s become a bit of a ‘thing’ for me.
Whenever I feature AirPods Max on my YouTube channel, I throw the case either over my shoulder, inadvertently and expensively towards my 16-inch MacBook Pro, or unsuccessfully at my office basketball hoop.
This is because the AirPods Max case is stupid.
It’s not a case.
It feels horrible.
It does the opposite of protecting your expensive headphones.
Yes, I’m a bit obsessed with how stupid it is.
But its boundless stupidness makes you wonder if it would be possible to create something even more stupid.
Oh, hello, Gucci.
The Ophidia case for AirPods Max
Billed as an ‘online exclusive’, the Ophidia case for AirPods Max is described by Gucci as bringing “vintage and contemporary together through its archive-inspired design elements”.
I literally have no idea what that means. And I’ve reread it about 356 times.
The interior of the case is printed with the word ‘Hodiernum’, which is Latin for ‘belonging to the present day’. This is apt, because I can’t think of a moment in history where this would have been considered the norm for headphones.
Featuring an adjustable shoulder strap (for, you know, the countless times you’ve wanted to wear your headphones like a shoulder bag), the Ophidia is made from neoprene and viscose lining, and sports brown leather details and gold-toned ‘hardware’.
It costs $980. Which is almost twice the price of AirPods Max.
It isn’t April fools (it’s February)
This thing actually exists; you can buy it today.
Now, a quick caveat: I know nothing about fashion. Honestly – if you’ve seen any of my videos, you’ll know that I’m about as fashion conscious as a car tyre.
I have no doubt that the Gucci design on display with this AirPods Max case has some merit. Some people may even find it pleasing to the eye.
More power to them. I’m happy for them.
But I can’t help but wonder if this product was created by a team of designers who had their tongues wedged firmly in their cheeks. They must be having a laugh, right?
It emphasises the handbag aesthetics of the original AirPods Max case, which is something Apple was immediately and unceremoniously lambasted for when the headphones were launched. Indeed, the Ophidia case comes from a company that is known for selling (among many other things) handbags.
It’s just deliciously ironic, isn’t it?
Curiously, this isn’t the only headphone case Gucci makes. There’s a generic Ophidia case that looks as though it’s compatible with a wider range of cans.
It’s not clear what came first – the generic Ophidia case or Apple’s AirPods Max. I dearly hope it’s the former, but I’m concerned that it may actually have been Apple that invented this ludicrous niche for stupid headphone cases.
Jokes and clickbait title aside, this has got me thinking about what I want next from Apple when it comes to their super-expensive over-the-ear headphones.
What I want from the next AirPods Max
There are four things I want from the next version of AirPods Max:
- USB-C;
- a power button;
- a lower price; and
- a proper case.
Price aside (come on, this is Apple), the remaining three wishes should be totally unnecessary.
Everything now charges via USB-C.
Since the dawn of electronics, we’ve been able to turn stuff off.
When I buy something expensive which is designed to be transported, I expect it to come with adequate protection.
Come on, Apple – leave the silliness to Gucci.
