The decision to switch to USB-C is likely due to a combination of factors. First, the European Union is expected to pass a law in 2024 that would require all smartphones and other small electronic devices to use USB-C for charging. This has already forced Apple to switch to USB-C on its iPhones, and it makes sense for the company to also switch to USB-C on its other products for consistency.
No major features?
In addition to the USB-C port, there may be no other notable features that we could see in the next-gen AirPods Max, if Gurman is to be believed. It will be a bit of a surprise if Apple doesn’t put the H2 chip in the AirPods Pro. If not for anything else, then software-related features like Conversation Boost, Personalised Volume could come to the AirPods Max. Currently, they are available on the AirPods Pro only as they come with the H2 chip.
The current AirPods Max already sound great, but there’s always room for improvement. Gurman has said that the AirPods Max will launch in “late” 2024, so we can expect them to arrive in the second half of next year.
Overall, it’s too early to say for sure what features will be included in the next-gen AirPods Max. However, the switch to a USB-C port is a near-certainty.