If there’s one head-scratching resolution Apple made in 2023, it’s not updating the AirPods Max. Not solely has its high-end headphones not acquired a refresh since their debut in 2020, they’re additionally one of many few remaining Apple gadgets to nonetheless sport a Lightning port. With no fast rumors of an replace anytime quickly, engineer Ken Pillonel has taken it upon himself to do it himself.
Pillonel, who beforehand added USB-C to the iPhone earlier than Apple, posted a video of the method to his YouTube channel Exploring the Simulation and it’s surprisingly not that troublesome. It doesn’t require any drilling or particular instruments, however you will want to purchase a USB-C Flex board for 39.90 Swiss Franc (about $45). The mod provides USB-C charging however doesn’t present USB-C audio because of the limitations of the AirPods Max’s processor.
As with earlier mods, the USB-C plug matches completely within the area occupied by the Lightning port as soon as the steel lip across the opening is eliminated.
The connector sits on high of the present Lightning board however Pilonel designed a board that “doesn’t contact any of the tallest parts.” He says he spent hours looking for the best connector and it labored “on the primary attempt.” Nonetheless, he created a second model of the board with a versatile arm to get rid of extreme power on the opposite parts.
So should you’re uninterested in ready for Apple to get round to upgrading AirPods Max with a USB-C port, now’s your probability to get it—with out shelling out $550 for a model new pair of headphones.
Performing this operation in your AirPods Max voids your guarantee, naturally.
