Apple will likely finalize its transition to the USB-C port from Lightning on all AirPods models and other accessories by the beginning of 2025, according to Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman.
In today’s edition of his Power On newsletter, Gurman outlines Apple’s plans to complete its transition away from Lightning to the universal USB-C connector. The company updated a single device – the second-generation AirPods Pro – with a USB-C port on its charging case to go along with the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro’s switch to the new connector following a regulatory push from the European Union.
Gurman notes that Apple only has a handful of accessories left that still rely on Lightning, with the switch to USB-C set to be completed within the next 18 months. The standard third-generation AirPods should get an updated USB-C charging case sometime next year, while an upcoming refresh to the AirPods Max will see the over-ear headphones similarly switch to the new connector.
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The switch to USB-C on AirPods Max could finally bring true lossless audio support to the headphones. As first noted by Mac Otakara, the $19 wired EarPods with USB-C include a Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) that supports audio playback at 24-bit/48kHz, a resolution that Apple deems as lossless in a support document. Apple additionally states that a Lightning to 3.5 mm cable could be used with the AirPods Max for quasi-lossless audio playback.
The Lightning to 3.5 mm Audio Cable was designed to allow AirPods Max to connect to analog sources for listening to movies and music. AirPods Max can be connected to devices playing Lossless and Hi-Res Lossless recordings with exceptional audio quality. However, given the analog-to-digital conversion in the cable, the playback will not be completely lossless.
Apple support document
On the Mac side, Gurman expects Apple to finally ship USB-C versions of a number of accessories, including Magic Mouse, Magic Trackpad, and Magic Keyboard. Those accessories still shipping today do include a Lightning port for charging, though that could change with the launch of the upcoming iMac.
Other accessories that could make the switch to USB-C include the discontinued MagSafe Duo and MagSafe Battery Pack, though Gurman is skeptical if Apple will launch upgraded versions or if they will be discontinued for good.
