In the iPad Mini 7 Box: No Charger in Europe, New Braided USB-C Cable

[Ursadorable]

Grabbing popcorn while I wait for people complaining their 5W bricks won't charge their iPads.

What's next, Macbooks not coming with chargers? "Good thing I have this 5W brick!" *facepalms*

 

[jdclifford]

I don't know if I'm the only one with this problem but my cat absolutely loves chewing up those new braided cables. Never had that issue with the old cables.

My cats love the MagSafe 3 braided cable that comes with the M3 MBP and MBA. You know, the ones that cost $50 to replace.

 

[DownUnderDan]

It feels weird to me that they include a cable, but not a charger
Isn’t the implication that if you have a charger, you certainly obviously already have a cable or two or 10?

I think you will find the that the thinking is that:
- You may not have the correct cable so this ensures the device is useful out of the box
- You may like to travel and take the cable with the device and use chargers provided on public transport, hotels or workplaces etc
- The cable will wear and fail over a much shorter time then a charging brick will. It could alsopotentially get lost. You are most likely to need replacements
- The e-waste for a cable is substantially less then for a charging brick

 

[JPack]

A 20 W charger is not very useful, in my opinion. More powerful ones (45 or even 60 W with two ports) are not much larger and can be used for an iPad or even a MacBook Air. Therefore, I would not be sad to not have one in the box.



Are braided cables really more durable?

20W is included in all iPads including iPad Pro and they charge just fine and quite rapidly. Even MacBook Air will will do fine with 20W charger.

 

[JPack]

I think you will find the that the thinking is that:
- You may not have the correct cable so this ensures the device is useful out of the box
- You may like to travel and take the cable with the device and use chargers provided on public transport, hotels or workplaces etc
- The cable will wear and fail over a much shorter time then a charging brick will. It could alsopotentially get lost. You are most likely to need replacements
- The e-waste for a cable is substantially less then for a charging brick

Now please do the reasoning for why AirPods 4 no longer includes a cable. 😆

 

[iZac]

Are braided cables really more durable?

I suspect they're less prone to the classic fraying but they'll look like garbage when they get dirty and don't wipe clean. They probably absorb the colour of any drink spilt on them really well.

 

[Gengar]

I suspect they're less prone to the classic fraying but they'll look like garbage when they get dirty and don't wipe clean. The probably absorb the colour of any drink spilt on them really well.

I have had the one that came with my M2 iPad Pro for two years and it’s still very white. What are y’all doing with these cables? 😂

 

[jbc25]

My cats love the MagSafe 3 braided cable that comes with the M3 MBP and MBA. You know, the ones that cost $50 to replace.

This is exactly my problem! I've had to replace two of those and a Apple Watch cable. 🤦‍♂️ 💸

 

[smoker68x]

2025: (hold my beer)

But! But! We’re going to get the revolutionary new iPhone Air/Slim! It takes courage to make a phone as thin as whatever they’re calling it!

 

[nicolas_s]

When I traveled to Europe (London, Paris) over the summer, I found that USB-C outlets had become practically ubiquitous everywhere I went. Every hotel had multiple USB-C outlets in the room. Several cafe's had them. I didn't need to use a power adapter once.

Given this, it makes sense to me why the chargers are not (or less) needed in the EU now compared to the US.

Sorry, but we Europeans don't live in hotels or cafes.

 

[leonremi]

It feels weird to me that they include a cable, but not a charger
Isn’t the implication that if you have a charger, you certainly obviously already have a cable or two or 10?

Usually, cables don’t last nearly as long as chargers.

 

[iZac]

I have had the one that came with my M2 iPad Pro for two years and it’s still very white. What are y’all doing with these cables? 😂

My cat has puked on at least one stray cable laying on the floor 🥲

 

[JohnC1959]

yep, devices of all types should no longer ship with USB charger. Sometimes not even a USB cable. For the three people without any USB chargers or cables that will be a minor hassle since they have to then buy one but for the rest it saves on all the chargers and cables laying around collecting dust.

 

[JohnC1959]

When I traveled to Europe (London, Paris) over the summer, I found that USB-C outlets had become practically ubiquitous everywhere I went. Every hotel had multiple USB-C outlets in the room. Several cafe's had them. I didn't need to use a power adapter once.

Given this, it makes sense to me why the chargers are not (or less) needed in the EU now compared to the US.

In the US I've found at least 80% had USBA outlets. fewer USBC. When traveling I carry a single USBC charger and use it (taking turns) for my laptop, phone and AirPods.

 

[t0rqx]

People laughing about my post when I said they will soon sell iPhones without the iPhones in the box.

 

[klasma]

hardware wise yes, but it does nothing special that the M1 Pro can't do

The M4 iPad Pro can display light text on true black, which is an important feature to me. The LCD iPads can’t do that. It also goes much brighter in sunlight.

 

[NetMage]

Good.

Now pass on the savings in chargers, packaging and shipping.

They already did - how do you think their prices have stayed flat compared to everyone else?

 

[jdclifford]

This is exactly my problem! I've had to replace two of those and a Apple Watch cable. 🤦‍♂️ 💸

I buy them on Amazon now. Not OEM but they work and cost about 1/2 the price Apple charges.

 

[Stromos]

Because this would not work. If it was free, no one would say no. The thought would be “I might need it later or I can sell it for a few dollars” Making it cost money means people won’t get it if they didn’t need it.

Yes people would in droves go out of their way to drive to an Apple Store for a 20 dollar item to sell online 🙄

 

[turbineseaplane]

I wonder how much longer until there’s no packaging and you just walk into an Apple Store and they hand you your iPad

 

[B4U]

Damn, how am I supposed to get the Apple stickers now?
Gift cards?? 😂

 

[russell_314]

Yes people would in droves go out of their way to drive to an Apple Store for a 20 dollar item to sell online 🙄

Or they would pick up this “free charger” when they’re already there to pick up the iPad?

You’re welcome 🤦‍♂️😂

 

[platinumaqua]

When I traveled to Europe (London, Paris) over the summer, I found that USB-C outlets had become practically ubiquitous everywhere I went. Every hotel had multiple USB-C outlets in the room. Several cafe's had them. I didn't need to use a power adapter once.

Given this, it makes sense to me why the chargers are not (or less) needed in the EU now compared to the US.

still rather use a power adapter because who knows how much power the ports can provide and zero chance of getting hacked plugging into my own power adapter

 

[jooish]

I have six kids and a wife. Between us we have 3 phones, 5 watches, 4 ipads… and none of us can ever find a charging brick.

Replace your power outlets with ones that include USB ports. I think they only have up to 20watts, but better than nothing and they're pretty cheap.

 

[turbineseaplane]

still rather use a power adapter because who knows how much power the ports can provide and zero chance of getting hacked plugging into my own power adapter

Agree
I never plug any of my devices into random USB ports