How to figure out if you should (or shouldn't) buy the new USB-C AirPods Max

Apple's iPhone 16 launch event was packed with AI, but the hardware was equally exciting and eye-catching. I always watch Apple's annual hardware events to keep tabs on the latest AirPods, and this year was bittersweet for me.

I love the new AirPods 4 with noise cancellation because they're the perfect earbuds for people who want standard audio features without overpaying for the more advanced AirPods Pro 2. Ahead of the event, I was confident Apple would shock the world with the AirPods Max 2.

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Apple didn't. Instead, the company announced the updated AirPods Max, with fresh, new colors and a USB-C port to replace the Lightning port, pushing it further into obsolescence. To some, these updates aren't compelling enough to spend $549 on headphones that aren't much different from the original ones released in 2020. To others, the updates are exactly what they needed to finally buy them.

As my colleague Kerry Wan said, "The best of Apple products lie in the details." The details make the updated AirPods Max great and simultaneously not great enough for everyone; here's why.

Wired listening is much simpler

Introducing the USB-C port to the AirPods Max is the most notable of the two updates, and universal charging isn't the only more convenient thing. You can plug one end of your Apple USB-C cable into the Max headphones and the other end into your iPhone (if it's an iPhone 15 or later) and start listening. 

Although that simplicity is the norm for non-Apple headphones, the AirPods Max with Lightning make wired listening feel like a science experiment. Some people -- and by people, I mean me -- used a non-Apple Lighting-to-3.5mm adapter, a 3.5mm-to-2.5mm audio cable, and another Lightning-to-3.5mm adapter just for no audio to pass through.

I then discovered I had to purchase Apple's $35 Lighting-to-3.5mm audio cable, since it's the only audio cable compatible with the headphones. Such a simple feature on your headphones shouldn't be this complicated, and with the USB-C AirPods Max, it's not.

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The ZDNET team hasn't tested the new AirPods Max's wired capabilities yet, but my guess is you can use any USB-C cable for wired listening. If you don't purchase Apple's USB-C cord, ensure you purchase an MFi Certified cable.

ZDNET's buying advice

If you have a perfectly functioning pair of Lightning-compatible AirPods Max, I don't recommend you buy the updated ones. There's no new audio chip or significant software upgrades, and an updated port doesn't warrant spending nearly $600. If, however, you've always wanted the AirPods Max and don't want to wait for the next generation, the new USB-C port is a decent upgrade for first-timers.

Apple products work best with other Apple products, so the AirPods Max offer unique interoperability within your Apple ecosystem. That said, if automatic device switching or Find My compatibility isn't enough for you to spend $549 on the AirPods Max, there are plenty of premium options.

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The Sonos Ace deliver all-day comfort, elevated sound technology like Dolby Atmos, adequate noise cancellation, and a posh design for $100 less. If you have a Sonos soundbar, these headphones get even better. 

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra have best-in-class noise cancellation, a sporty yet casual design, and spatial audio that's compatible with any device or music streaming service.

The Sony XM5 over-ear headphones are slightly older (but not as old as the AirPods Max) but still provide an unassuming design, excellent noise-canceling properties, and 40 hours of listening time, which is the longest out of the bunch.