Last Updated:
The new AirPods 4 series has a regular and an ANC variant for some reason
AirPods 4 has launched in two variants this year and only one of them supports active noise cancellation at a premium price.
Apple launched the new AirPods 4 version that has a special active noise cancellation (ANC) variant priced Rs 5,000 more than the standard model. But most people might have missed out a big change with the new AirPods 4 series and that revolves around the in-box contents with the device. We were not sure about these findings but the official AirPods 4 listing on the Apple website confirmed the new developments.
AirPods 4 In-Box Packaging Loses Charging Cable: What Now?
Apple has taken out the USB C charging cable that you need to charge the AirPods 4 case. The contents in the box section on the Apple website confirms the updated changes, and it also mentions that USB C charge cable is sold separately.
That’s right, if you buy the AirPods 4 (the regular or the ANC variant), you’ll be charged extra for its charging cable from this year onwards. Apple’s decision to remove the adapter from the iPhones a few years back was said to be linked to the environment but the latest decision to not supply the charging cable for AirPods 4 sounds weird but not at all shocking.
It is likely that Apple’s decision to adopt USB C makes them believe that most people nowadays have a USB C charging cable in store, so selling them another one adds to the e-waste pile up. But that would only make sense if most people have been using the iPhone 15 series models, the first from Apple to come with a USB C charging port.
Either way, Apple’s decision to remove items from the box is getting weirder by the year, and for all you know, the AirPods 5 or 6 could lose the charging case, which the company could say, sold separately.
The new AirPods 4 series price in India starts from Rs 12,900 while the AirPods 4 ANC version costs Rs 17,900 in the country. You’re probably going to pay another Rs 1,000 to get the compatible USB C charging cable for the new AirPods from the company.