Ready to order AirPods Pro 3? Just don’t expect a charging cable in the box. Apple has quietly changed the “In the Box” section of its product page for the iPhone for the new models, which now says that a USB‑c charge cable will not be included, among other items which will have to be purchased separately. It’s a minor loss that has a tangible impact: Most shoppers won’t notice, but some will.
What’s Really in the Box
The AirPods Pro 3 comes with the earbuds, a USB-C charging case, documentation, and five sets of silicone ear tips — one more size than the AirPods Pro, which seemed to help get more — maybe all — ears a good seal out of the box.
The case also has an integrated lanyard loop, though there’s no USB‑C cable and no power adapter. That is, Apple’s own spec sheet makes it clear: the USB‑C charge cable is sold separately.
Why Apple Might Do This
There are two likely drivers. First, standardization: USB‑C is already everywhere on phones, tablets, laptops and peripherals, and many homes already contain several cables. Second, sustainability: Apple has long maintained that getting rid of duplicate accessories means smaller packaging and fewer shipping emissions. The wider environmental picture certainly seems to favor waste reduction—according to the United Nations’ Global E‑waste Monitor, the world produced an estimated 62 million metric tons of electronic waste in 2022, with the majority of that, less than a quarter of it, being collected and recycled correctly.
There’s regulatory pressure too. The European Union’s universal charger regulations have led device makers to USB‑C, so there are fewer mismatching cords in circulation. Combined, Apple has a simple calculation: most buyers already have what they need to charge their devices just fine.
The Buyer Impact: Small for Most, Annoying for Some
Chances are if you have a recent iPhone, iPad or MacBook or Android device you probably have a USB‑C cable and compatible charger. The case for the AirPods Pro 3 also supports wireless charging, so anyone with a MagSafe or Qi pad need do no more than top-up — without using any wires. For those users, the cable is a non‑issue.
Where this gets annoying is gift giving, or first‑time buyers who are led to believe you can have everything in one box, or people who thought they could hang their hat on the included (short) throw‑in‑your‑carry‑on cable for on‑the‑go charging.
It’s also a minor inconsistency across Apple’s lineup: Apple is still bundling a USB‑C cable with AirPods Max and AirPods 4, but not with the flagship Pro model.
How Rivals Deal With Earbud Accessories
Apple’s move is not yet the norm among premium earbuds. Recent flagships from the likes of Sony (WF‑1000XM5) and Bose (the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds) have — as my colleague Chaim Gartenberg has observed — come with a USB‑C cable in the box that just connects to a charger, but it’s a short USB‑C cable nonetheless. While these are cheap to offer, they guarantee that customers will be able to charge immediately, no matter what other devices they own. Apple is known for establishing industry trends, but it’s something to keep an eye on if others follow.
Need a Cable? Here’s What to Buy
Any ordinary USB‑C to USB‑C cable will do the trick here, and you won’t need to go out and buy a high‑wattage cord—a case for your ’buds just doesn’t require a lot of power. A 60W‑rated USB‑IF–certified cable is more than adequate, fast charging, and also pretty cheap. If your wall adapter has USB‑A ports instead, using a USB‑A to USB‑C cable will still charge the case at normal speed. Prefer no wires? On a nightstand, a MagSafe or Qi wireless charger will be perfectly adequate.
What Apple Is Signaling
” This pattern is consistent with a broader reality. Apple removed chargers and wired earbuds from iPhone boxes years ago and already quit packing power adapters with Apple Watch. The company’s logic has been the same: eliminating redundant accessories cuts down on materials, shrinks down packaging and reduces its carbon footprint. Critics, however, say these removals also reduce expenses and cast the cost onto consumers lacking the proper gear at home.
In reality, either could be true.
There’s an environmental argument here — fewer unnecessary cables is better for reducing waste — and if you genuinely need a cable, well, people can still buy it. But since audio products tend to be shared across mixed ecosystems or given away as gifts, the absence of a single, short cable will confound some buyers.
Bottom Line
AirPods Pro 3 offer welcome improvements like new, larger ear tips, but they also represent another step in Apple’s minimal packaging philosophy: no USB‑C cable in the box.
Most people won’t miss it; a substantial minority will. Before you click the checkout button, make sure you have a spare USB‑C cable or a wireless charger — otherwise, you’ll need to add one of those to your cart.
