> For users who want even more, AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case add longer battery life and on-stem volume control for $149

This is a weird product feature versioning. Would people pay an extra $20 for these two features specifically? With the AirPods 4 the upsell SKU was ANC which made exponentially more sense.

15% more price for 25% more battery is worth it alone. Add in that every time I adjust the volume without needing to dig out my phone, and I’ll feel even better.

$20 is a single meal at a fast food restaurant, which I’ll have forgotten about the very next day. This is a much better long term investment.

I'd happily buy the older versions for less. Which is why they don't allow that.

I would pay for the stem volume controls alone.

I prefer the regular AirPods to in-ear. But I still keep an old pair of Pro's around purely because the stem is so convenient for changing volume when I'm walking the dog or out for a run and I'd rather not get my phone out my pocket.

The differentiating feature is the Wireless Charging case, which they've had a separate SKU for forever.

I bought the AirPods 4 with ANC in large part due to the Wireless Charging Case.

These things have usable lifespans of about 2-4 years before the batteries start to go (depending on how low a capacity you can tolerate). It’s more like you buy the one available at the time when your old ones wear out.

^ knocking it before anyone on earth tried it- minus apple