AirPods Pro 3 Do Not Include a Charging Cable in the Box

[Xade]

I can't believe how many people on here are making excuses for a trillion dollar company penny pinching. It was bad enough with the chargers but cables now too? Perhaps these people should just give Apple money because, you know, Apple, and not expect anything in return?

 

[Michael Scrip]

I'm guessing there are still quite a few people who are using an iPhone 14 with Lightning or older AirPods with Lightning.

So, yeah, they will have to purchase a USB-C cable when they buy their next device (assuming they don't already have some sort of USB-C cable from another device. Remember... USB-C has been around for a decade...)

But in 5 years... in 2030... do we still expect all devices to include a USB-C cable? That just seems like a waste.

Every little device I buy today comes with a stupid cable. I don't need them or want them. They are instant trash.

These two cables just happened to be within reach on my desk. But I have a whole box of these!

 

[paradox00]

USB4 is a protocol and does not put new requirements onto the USB-C spec. It does require you to have a minimum of 5Gb data transfer.

I think I'd prefer just only having cables if they are properly labelled with their power and data certifications.

My understanding is that 5Gbps still falls under the purview of USB 3.2, not USB4, but my intention was to refer to the version of USB4 that includes the thunderbolt 3 protocol anyway. If a bundled USB C cable doesn't meet that criteria, I don't want it. Just let me buy my own.

From the USB Data Performance Language Usage guidelines:

"The USB4® and USB 3.2 specifications together identify five transfer rates – 80Gbps, 40Gbps, 20Gbps, 10Gbps, and 5Gbps."

If USB4 specified a minimum 5Gbps, they wouldn't need to use USB4 and 3.2 "together". USB 4 would be enough on its own. That said, even the USB-IF realizes they've messed things up so much that they don't even recommend communicating the USB4 and 3.2 protocols on product packaging. They played it way too fast and loose with dumb branding and dumb re-branding of said dumb branding. 3.1 gen 1 was the beginning of the end.

I too wish all cables were properly labelled with rated data rate and wattage.

 

[paradox00]

I can't believe how many people on here are making excuses for a trillion dollar company penny pinching. It was bad enough with the chargers but cables now too? Perhaps these people should just give Apple money because, you know, Apple, and not expect anything in return?

Apple shouldn't include USB C cables. This isn't a defence of Apple, I simply don't want them foisting their trash on me. Let me buy my own cables that meet my needs instead of bundling cables that don't.

The cables are so damn cheap for Apple that no, I wouldn't expect the price of AirPods to drop when they remove the cable. Apple might charge $19 for a cable, but that's not what they pay. If Apple's rounding to the nearest dollar ending in $9, subtracting Apple's cost for the cable is going to end with Apple rounding to the same price ending in $9, 9 times of 10.

Yes, Apple will see a benefit from multiplying their minuscule cost savings by several million units of AirPods, but we're (the consumer) not going to see a price reduction unless Apple reduces its margins an AirPods. Which I'm all for, but now we've gone past the issue of excluding the USB C cable, which was the topic of this discussion. Excluding the cable itself provides next to no cost savings to pass on to an individual consumer.

There's no issue with Apple excluding a cable that is now ubiquitous and widely available. Apple's crime is charging $19 for a cable that costs roughly $2.50 on AliExpress (1m, braided, 60W, USB 2) and you know Apple gets their's cheaper than that...

I'm probably one of Apple's harshest critics here. I just like identifying the issues properly.

 

[East India Company]

One day we will see, charging case sold separately 😟

…and “AirPods not included” 🤣

 

[East India Company]

Those who are mocking those who complain about the lack of USBC:
1 - everyone knows they can but it elsewhere if they need
2 - if it’s nothing then apple should either include it or lower the price
3 - Apple should not tell us that the AirPods Pro 3 are the same price since it is sold with less than AP2

Very sheepish comments coming from the crowds. I guess most people will jump when Apple tell them to jump..

 

[bluecoast]

Saving the planet, improving the profit per unit and reducing the packaging and thus increasing the amount of AP3s that can be shipped in one container.

It’s a win for the planet. But mostly for apple.

 

[Xade]

Apple shouldn't include USB C cables. This isn't a defence of Apple, I simply don't want them foisting their trash on me. Let me buy my own cables that meet my needs instead of bundling cables that don't.

The cables are so damn cheap for Apple that no, I wouldn't expect the price of AirPods to drop when they remove the cable. Apple might charge $19 for a cable, but that's not what they pay. If Apple's rounding to the nearest dollar ending in $9, subtracting Apple's cost for the cable is going to end with Apple rounding to the same price ending in $9, 9 times of 10.

Yes, Apple will see a benefit from multiplying their minuscule cost savings by several million units of AirPods, but we're (the consumer) not going to see a price reduction unless Apple reduces its margins an AirPods. Which I'm all for, but now we've gone past the issue of excluding the USB C cable, which was the topic of this discussion. Excluding the cable itself provides next to no cost savings to pass on to an individual consumer.

There's no issue with Apple excluding a cable that is now ubiquitous and widely available. Apple's crime is charging $19 for a cable that costs roughly $2.50 on AliExpress (1m, braided, 60W, USB 2) and you know Apple gets their's cheaper than that...

I'm probably one of Apple's harshest critics here. I just like identifying the issues properly.

Yes, they should include USB C cables. If they are 'trash', as you state, what else in their product line up is trash?

 

[BigMcGuire]

I have so many USB C cables that I end up giving them away. FYI, anyone who has a ton, just go to your local university - students will snap those up.

Now, for the price that I pay for Apple products, would be nice to get a cable but - doesn't bother me. Every room in my house has braided cables (some with L adapters for reading at night) that I use. Even my retired neighbor has a house full of USB C cables... My mother in law ... has a house full of USB C cables.

Now... if it were up to me and I was running Apple I'd give people the option to NOT include a cable for "the environment" but default a cable if they want.

 

[paradox00]

Yes, they should include USB C cables. If they are 'trash', as you state, what else in their product line up is trash?

Just the cables. Helps to read the rest of my post where my position is explained in detail.

 

[ZMacintosh]

more inconsistencies with Apple these days. The watch has a charging cable, yet the AirPods do not? Apple is just doing things willynilly. I'm also getting tired of these mass produced videos by Apple, too many cut aways and people yapping about one component of the product, hard to follow.

@verdi1987

shouldn't matter, I may not have a charging cable. you also have to understand these are sold in kiosks, vending machines, airports, etc where access to a single cable may not be entirely accessible. so again inconsistencies.

 

[ZMacintosh]

@verdi1987

@verdi1987 its true