The new AirPods, which Apple just announced at its iPhone 16 event, come with a case with a USB-C port, but no USB-C charging cable in the box. As 9to5Mac noticed, the official page for the new device states that the USB-C charging cable is sold separately for both the basic AirPods 4 and the AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation. Apple didn’t clarify the absence of a cable in the earphones’ packaging at the event, but the company probably assumed that most people already have plenty of USB-C cables. Still, the Lightning port on the AirPods’ case has just been replaced, so current users got a Lightning cable with the previous model.
Apple has sold devices without chargers for several years now, and in 2022 it also stopped including the USB cable for the Siri charger with the Apple TV, so this is unprecedented. But if you don’t have a spare cable to use with the AirPods 4, you’ll need to buy one. The latest version of the AirPods Max, however, comes with a cable, so potential buyers don’t need to add a spare cable to their shopping cart.
If you’re still on the fence about buying the AirPods 4: The performance of the ANC version was certainly impressive. Engadget senior reporter Billy Steele tried them out in the crowded hands-on area at Apple Park, and the active noise cancellation kept a room full of event attendees nearly silent. Apple is also calling the new model “the best-fitting AirPods ever.”
Catch up on all the latest news from Apple’s iPhone 16 event!
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