Apple announced a new set of AirPods Max during its event last week, updating them with USB-C and in a new set of colors. The switch to USB-C is a welcome one, to be sure, but Apple changed nothing else about them. And that feels weird, right? What gives?

The H2 chip powers both AirPods 4 models, aiming to improve battery life, personalize audio, and facilitate faster pairing. In terms of battery life, Apple claims 30 hours total with the wireless charging compatible case, and 6.5 hours of playback on the earbuds themselves.

The new AirPods that Apple just announced at its iPhone 16 event come with cases that have USB-C ports, but they will not ship with USB-C charging cables in the box.

Next step: not shipping the charging case either? Apple has, a few years ago, stopped shipping charging adapters with its phones, starting a trend

Apples new AirPods 4 feature a USB-C charging port, but the company has opted not to include a USB-C cable in the box. Buyers may need to purchase the cable separately, continuing Apples trend toward reducing packaging and e-waste.

Apple's new AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation won't include a USB-C charging cable, continuing its trend of reducing packaged acc

At Apple’s September Glowtime event, CEO Tim Cook teed up VP of hardware engineering Kate Bergeron for the big reveal by stating that the company’s much-loved AirPods family had “significant updates across the entire lineup.

Apple just announced two new AirPods in its fourth-generation lineup, and they've got some wild new features. Here are the key reasons to upgrade.