Apple drops the charging cable from the AirPods 4 box

Earlier this week, Apple dropped the latest generation of its earbuds, the AirPods 4. They come in two versions – a basic model and a higher-end option with Active Noise Cancelation, featuring tech almost on par with the AirPods Pro 2. Both are available for pre-order now, but just a heads up: neither version comes with a charging cable in the box.

AirPods 4 (ANC): Pre-order at Amazon

Experience next-gen audio with Apple's AirPods 4 with ANC. The earbuds feature an H2 chip and superior active noise cancellation. Pre-order a pair at Amazon today. The earbuds will be available starting September 20, 2024.

Pre-order at Amazon

AirPods Pro 2: Save 24% at Amazon

The AirPods Pro 2 are set to get a new all-in-one health experience this Fall with features like Hearing Test and Hearing Aid. While you wait for these fancy new features to arrive, go ahead and get the AirPods Pro 2 at Amazon for 24% off.

$59 off (24%)

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Apple's tech specs page reveals that the latest AirPods boxes no longer include a USB-C charging cable. So, if you don't have a compatible charging cable already, you will need to grab one separately. For context, the AirPods 2 and 3 came with a charging cable, and both the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Max still include one.

Even though Apple isn't including a charging cable with the new AirPods, it is safe to assume most users already have a compatible charger. The latest AirPods case uses a universal USB-C port, which matches the charging setup of most smartphones these days.

After all, the whole point of switching to USB-C as a universal standard is to cut down on cable clutter and have one cable work across all your devices. So, in that sense, it is not really a shocker that Apple decided to leave the charging cable out of the box. Though to be honest, it is always nice to get a fresh one with a new gadget.



The AirPods 4 have shorter stems and now feature a force sensor, making it easier to control calls and playback. The charging case has also been downsized compared to the previous model. The version with Active Noise Cancelation (ANC) promises about 4 hours of playtime per charge, while you can get up to 5 hours of listening time with noise control off.

Additionally, the AirPods 4 introduces Siri Interactions, allowing for hands-free control. You can simply nod to answer a call or shake your head to decline when Siri asks. This feature also extends to managing notifications, reading text messages, and more, adding a new layer of convenience.