When it comes to the charging situation with the Apple AirPods 4, not including a charging cable can be seen in two ways.
On one hand, it can be inconvenient for those who do not already own a USB-C cable. This may especially be the case for individuals who have only used Lightning ports with their Apple devices. However, it is understandable as USB-C has become a standard for many devices.
On the other hand, it can be viewed as a positive if you already have a USB-C cable available. Many non-Apple devices and accessories come with USB-C cables, making it a widely used connector in the tech world.
It’s worth noting that there are two versions of the AirPods 4. The $129 model does not include active noise cancellation and the case does not support wireless charging, requiring a USB-C cable for charging. For wireless charging and ANC, the $179 version is the way to go.
While Apple’s naming strategy with the AirPods lineup may cause some confusion, opting out of including a charging cable can reduce material waste and shipping weight, ultimately benefiting the environment.
At the end of the day, the convenience of wireless charging and the additional features in the higher-priced AirPods 4 model may be worth the extra cost for many users.
