Apple just dropped two versions of the same AirPods, and honestly… people don’t know what to expect. Anyone would be baffled if two identical launches featured a $20 price gap.
Seriously, if they were giving the same name and same look to both versions, they might as well have kept the price tags the same too. Such an Apple thing to do (major eye-roll)! But here’s the thing - that sneaky $20 gap is justified by the makers. And that justification is called a ‘Wireless Charging Case’.
So, apparently, Apple’s back with a supposed blockbuster variant? Now the question is whether this gap is actually worth it or not. And in this blog, we’ll answer this question in detail. So stick with us for a bit.
AirPods 5 Without vs With Wireless Charging Case - Head-to-Head Battle
At first glance, you’d think both earbuds are the same deal... they’re not! The table below shows their solid specs difference.
Features | Without Wireless Charging Case | With Wireless Charging Case |
Pod Type | USB-C Only | USB-C + Qi Charger + Apple Watch Charger |
Volume Control | Via Phone / Siri / Watch | Swipe / Stem Control |
Battery Life (ANC On) | Up to 4 Hours | Up to 5 Hours |
Listening Time Battery | 20 Hours | 22 Hours |
Pod Weight | 32.3 g | 34.7 g |
Find My Speaker | No | Yes |
Price | $129 | $149 |
Key Differences Between AirPods 5 Without vs With Wireless Charging Case
If you’re choosing between the two earbud versions, there are a few things you should consider. Because, contrary to amateur opinion, the charging pod does make quite a difference.
Multiple Plug-in Choices
The biggest and boldest difference between the two earbuds is the wireless charging pod - that’s settled! The standard earphone holder gets charged like any other. You get a wire that you plug into the pod. Then, you let the USB-C do its magic. But with a cord-free pod, your recharge options are a lot more exciting.
So first off, you get the USB-C option - pretty basic. But along with that, there is a Qi-certified charger. It’s almost like those fancy MagSafe chargers for iPhones. Then, there are also Apple Watch chargers that you can use for these earbuds. For most users, the Qi-certified charger is the best option because A: it regulates temperature; and B: it protects the earbuds against short circuits and overcharging.
Fact Check: More than 9000 Qi products were sold by the end of 2023, explaining the popularity of Qi charging.
Smart Volume Control
This is one of those differences you might not even think about until you’ve tried both versions. So, the cord-free pod model has a force sensor on the stem of the earbuds. This sensor acts as a smart volume control. All you’ve got to do is swipe up on the stem for volume up. Similarly, swipe down on the stem for volume down. This way, you can make quick sound adjustments.
With the standard AirPods 5, there’s no such thing as the smart stem volume control. So you’ll have to access the volume through your iPhone or Apple Watch. Siri is another option, but it’s not as instant and effortless as the swipe motion. Now, for some, this feature is not a deal-breaker. But for others who are always on the go, it can feel like a big upgrade.
Extra Battery Time
Another difference that’s easy to miss in these audio buds is battery duration. And to be fair, it's kind of petty. Just one extra hour of battery time that you get with the AirPods 5 with wireless charge case model - that’s it! While the cord-free charging case model delivers 5 hours of battery life, its standard counterpart delivers 4 hours.
And if you add the actual cases into the equation, this difference increases to 2 hours. In the standard version, you get 20 hours of listening time. And with its expensive counterpart, you get 22 hours. Interestingly, this minute distinction between the two AirPods is not because of the earbuds, because both have identical designs with the same H2 chip. It’s because of the casing.
Find My Speaker Support
Did you know that more than 70% of Gen Z and around 7% of millennials use Apple’s ‘Find My’ app? This particular feature by Apple is insanely hyped. And this same feature is available in the wireless model of the Variant 5. So, if you misplace your teeny-tiny earbuds anywhere in the house, you can locate them easily. How?
You see, there’s a built-in speaker inside that slightly heavy earphone holder. It plays a sound from the dock when you track down the earbuds using the ‘Find My’ feature. So you just have to follow that audible chime. The standard earphone holder doesn’t include these speakers. So if you misplace the standard earbuds, you’ll have to rely on location completely to track them down.
Weight & Price
This too isn’t exactly a dealbreaker. But it’s a difference worth knowing about. The standard USB-C earphone holder weighs 32.3 grams. The cord-free charge dock, on the other hand, weighs 34.7 grams. It’s barely a 2.4 grams difference. This extra weight actually comes from the hardware of the earphone holder. The good news, though? Both cases have identical dimensions. They both measure 18.2*1.97*0.83 inches.
Lastly.. There’s the matter of the price. The standard version costs $129, whereas the fancy version costs $149. However, for that extra $20, you’re getting a lot of features that elevate your overall experience. So, for us, this gap is totally non-existent.
Which One Suits Which User?
Not everyone has the same needs when it comes to earbuds. So below, we’ve broken down the suitable AirPods 5 variant based on lifestyle.
AirPods 5 is Great For You If:
- You always charge your phone and gadgets with a cable anyway.
- You don’t mind adjusting the volume from your phone no matter how many seconds it takes.
- You want the Apple ANC experience at the lowest price possible.
- You’re upgrading from an older model and just want a reliable pair of earbuds.
AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case is Great For You If:
- You already own a Qi-charging induction charger or an Apple Watch charger.
- You like the idea of adjusting volume through a swipe on the stem.
- You’ve lost an earphone holding case before and don’t wish to go through that hassle all over again.
- You want the longest possible battery life.
Final Verdict
Both versions of the AirPods 5 look the same, sound the same, and cancel noise the same. That part is definitely not up for debate. But once you look into it, the wireless charge dock feels like better value for money. Seriously, what is twenty bucks for an extra hour of charge every single day? The everyday perks with this expensive variant are better. But still, if you want solid earphones without fussing over the extras, the standard variant is also great.
