Apple’s newly announced AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation come with a notable omission: a USB-C charging cable is not included in the box. According to the products’ official page, customers will need to purchase a USB-C charge cable separately, a move that may come as a surprise to some. This decision is not entirely unexpected, given Apple’s history of removing accessories from its packaging. The company stopped including charging bricks with its devices years ago and also discontinued the practice of shipping USB cables with the Apple TV in 2022.
The lack of a charging cable may not be a significant issue for many users, as they may already have a collection of USB-C cables on hand. However, for those who don’t have an extra cable, this will be an additional expense. It’s worth noting that the latest AirPods Max model does come with a cable, so customers purchasing those earbuds won’t need to worry about buying a separate cable.
For those considering purchasing the AirPods 4, the Active Noise Cancellation model has received positive reviews. In a hands-on test at Apple Park, the device’s noise cancellation capabilities were found to be impressive, effectively silencing the sounds of a crowded room. Apple has also touted the new models as the “best fitting AirPods ever,” suggesting a significant improvement in comfort and design.