Report: Apple to Launch 4th Gen AirPods and AirPods Max With USB-C in 2024

Apple is planning to launch new USB-C Airpods next year following the launch of new USB-C AirPods Pro in September. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, 4th-gen AirPods and a new AirPods Max headset with a USB-C port replacing Apple’s proprietary Lightning port are coming in 2024.

In recent years, Apple has put USB-C ports on all its MacBooks and iPad models, and the EU’s common charger law also led Apple to make its new iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro use a USB-C port for charging. However, Apple is still selling three AirPods models and other accessories with Lightning ports, and the mix of two different ports is definitely not great for consumers.

According to Gurman, the 4th-gen AirPods will replace the 2nd-gen ($129) and 3rd-gen ($169) models next year, and there will be two different versions: one of them will have premium features including noise cancellation and a charging case with speakers for Find My Alerts, similar to the AirPods Pro.

“The two models will feature a new design that looks like a blend of the third-generation AirPods and the Pro model. They’ll both have short stems, the part that hangs out of a user’s ear,” Gurman said, adding that it’s “unlikely” that Apple will include replaceable tips on the 4th-gen AirPods like on the AirPods Pro.

As for the new USB-C AirPods Max also coming next year, Gurman said that they will be available in new colors but won’t bring “many other changes.” However, the company is said to be planning a more significant update for the AirPods Pro in 2025 with a refreshed design and new health features.

If we’ll need to wait until next year to see new AirPods, Apple is gearing up for another product launch this Fall. Next week, the company will hold a keynote on October 30 where we should see new MacBook Pro and 24-inch iMac models.