There are two ways to consider the conundrum that is the charging situation with theApple AirPods 4 , which wo n’t come with a charging cable .
On one hand , that ’s forged — if you do n’t already own agood USB - C cable . That ’s in reality a possibility . Yes , in 2024 . There ’s a very substantial fortune that someone who has only owned an iPhone that has a Lightning port may purchase these earbuds . And there ’s a very substantial theory that say purchaser has only possess AirPods that also charged via Lightning . you could scoff at such a person all you want , but you ’d be haywire to do so .
On the other mitt , this is a very skillful thing . Because there ’s a well - than - average hazard that you — person who ’s buying AirPods 4 — already have a USB - C cable on helping hand . It ’s long been the standard on Android . It ’s long been included with non - Apple earbuds and headphone . Hell , I spent more money than I should have to interchange an otherwise perfectly good shiner when a young version was released with USB - C. The reversible connective is n’t perfect — the various options for charging and data speeds can be madden when you grab something that does n’t operate the way you think it should . ( And do n’t get me pop on Thunderbolt . )
There ’s one other major caveat here . There really are two flavors of AirPods 4 . Apple ’s playing more than a little piece of sleight - of - hand with the name . The $ 129 manikin does n’t include active noise cancellation — and the case does not suffer wireless charging . You ’re go to need a USB - C overseas telegram to turn on these AirPods 4 . If you want wireless charging and ANC , you ’ll necessitate to pony up the extra $ 50 .
That part is nobody ’s flaw but Apple ’s . While it consolidate the AirPods language into three distinct models — AirPods 4,AirPods Pro , and AirPods Max — it ’s only a topic of time before someone die for the cheapest option , only to be more than nettled that placing the causa on a wireless charger does absolutely nothing , and that there ’s no cable in the boxful . The AirPods Max , by the way , still come with a charging cable television ( now USB - C ) for the obvious grounds of not having wireless charging .
Personally , I think the public lavatory of wireless charging — and the comprehension of ANC — is worth the additional $ 50 . ( We ’ll have to see how much of a departure there end up being between the AirPods 4 with ANC and the AirPods Pro . ) I only ever agitate my AirPods Pro case wirelessly , because I do n’t ever have to accuse them more than once a Clarence Shepard Day Jr. .
In all likelihood , Apple will do whatever it can to upsell folks to the $ 179 version of the AirPods 4 . If someone die cheaper , fine . Either way , eschew the charge cable means less corporeal , less shipping weight , and ultimately less cost for Apple . Less post - consumer waste , too .
And that ’s a serious thing .
