Apple AirPods 4 Don’t Come with a Charging Cable in the Box: Here’s Why

Apple's latest AirPods 4, unveiled at the Glowtime event, sport a new design, improved audio quality, and an upgrade many users have been waiting for: a USB-C charging case. However, there's a slight catch - the box won't include a USB-C cable.

This news comes as a surprise, considering Apple didn't mention it during the presentation. The official website confirms this by stating "USB-C Charge Cable sold separately" for both the standard and noise-canceling versions of the AirPods 4.

Why the Cable Cut?

Apple's reasoning behind ditching the cable remains unclear. Perhaps they believe most users already own a USB-C cable, considering the widespread adoption of the standard across iPhones and iPads.
However, this might disadvantage new Apple users without a USB-C cable or those still using older iPhones with the Lightning connector.

A Trend in the Making

This isn't the first time Apple has excluded charging accessories. In 2020, they removed the power adapter from iPhone 12 boxes, citing environmental benefits. Similarly, 2022 saw the Apple TV box lose its USB-C cable for the Siri Remote.

What You Need to Know

• The new AirPods 4 charging case uses USB-C for charging.
• No USB-C cable is included in the box for either AirPods 4 model.
• The AirPods Max still comes with a charging cable.
• Users with older iPhones or those lacking a USB-C cable will need to purchase one separately.

So, is the missing cable a deal-breaker? It depends on your individual needs. If you already have a USB-C cable lying around, this might be a minor inconvenience. However, for those who need to buy one, it adds an extra cost to the purchase.