Other The "no plug included" story for iPhone 12 is missing an obvious alternative

[Izauze]

The lazy journalistic narrative I'm seeing out of this reduces everything to either "is this not true?" or "is this Apple sacrificing the user need for the sake of greed?" What they're missing is that this can be both true AND a pro-user decision by Apple.

What if Apple does not include a 5w charger in the box by default, but INSTEAD includes a instant credit for X dollars that I can use towards my choice of: A) Nearly worthless 5w charger that I have 12 of in my junk drawer, B) Solid 20w charger that may be actually useful, C) Other accessory if my charging situation is already solid, such as some new wireless headphones?

In that case, everyone wins and no one needs to own or manufacture a bunch of useless electronic junk that takes up space, materials, and eventually creates more waste.

 

[ian87w]

The lazy journalistic narrative I'm seeing out of this reduces everything to either "is this not true?" or "is this Apple sacrificing the user need for the sake of greed?" What they're missing is that this can be both true AND a pro-user decision by Apple.

What if Apple does not include a 5w charger in the box by default, but INSTEAD includes a instant credit for X dollars that I can use towards my choice of: A) Nearly worthless 5w charger that I have 12 of in my junk drawer, B) Solid 20w charger that may be actually useful, C) Other accessory if my charging situation is already solid, such as some new wireless headphones?

In that case, everyone wins and no one needs to own or manufacture a bunch of useless electronic junk that takes up space, materials, and eventually creates more waste.

Although that might seem to make sense, logistically is quite challenging, considering that iPhones are being sold in various non-Apple stores, especially is countries without official Apple stores. I mean how can Apple make sure that the iPhone buyer can be served with that credit. It also opens up abuse by resellers and/or distributors.

Personally, I don't think Apple would get rid of the charger. We'll find out, I guess.

 

[JPack]

These predictions come from credible supply chain analysts. Kuo and Barclays can see if Apple is mass ordering 5W or 20W power adapters from Flextronics and Artesyn. If there are no orders, they can find out why.

Your theory is technically possible. In fact, I proposed this idea on this forum over a month ago.

But in reality, it's extremely unlikely.

Apple went out of their way to remove the Lightning to 3.5 mm Adapter from the boxes of iPhone X, 8, 8 Plus, 7, and 7 Plus. It retails for only $9. Between 2016-2018, the adapter was included in the box.

Do you think Apple will include a voucher for $29 pair of EarPods and a $29 USB-C adapter?

 

[konqerror]

How about a voucher for the crappy charger brick or 3 free months of Apple Music? That sounds like something Tim Cook would do.

Kinda like back in the day when they sold computers solely for the AOL or MSN dial-up subscription commission.

 

[ericwn]

I don’t think it’s very Apple like to include credits and the like. Personally I need no extra chargers or cheap headphones and would not shed a tear if those were gone from the box.

 

[chrfr]

The lazy journalistic narrative I'm seeing out of this reduces everything to either "is this not true?" or "is this Apple sacrificing the user need for the sake of greed?" What they're missing is that this can be both true AND a pro-user decision by Apple.

What if Apple does not include a 5w charger in the box by default, but INSTEAD includes a instant credit for X dollars that I can use towards my choice of: A) Nearly worthless 5w charger that I have 12 of in my junk drawer, B) Solid 20w charger that may be actually useful, C) Other accessory if my charging situation is already solid, such as some new wireless headphones?

In that case, everyone wins and no one needs to own or manufacture a bunch of useless electronic junk that takes up space, materials, and eventually creates more waste.

There's no chance Apple provides a credit for a charger. They'll remove it, and if you want one, you'll have to pay extra. Apple has been "nickel and diming" users for several years now, and this will be no exception.

 

[Stuey3D]

Or the alternative would be Apple or the shop you purchase from asks if you need an adapter and if you do they just provide one free of charge. Best of both worlds then, Apple can save a bit by using less packaging and not including the adapter by default but users can still get one if needed.
All Apple has to do is provide the chargers separately to the stores in little blister packs.

This has the possibility of reducing E-Waste/packaging waste and if handled right would be a good thing.

However we all know Apple likes to charge people for everything so the chargers will be a £20 optional extra rather than free at time of purchase.

 

[ericwn]

Or the alternative would be Apple or the shop you purchase from asks if you need an adapter and if you do they just provide one free of charge. Best of both worlds then, Apple can save a bit by using less packaging and not including the adapter by default but users can still get one if needed.
All Apple has to do is provide the chargers separately to the stores in little blister packs.

This has the possibility of reducing E-Waste/packaging waste and if handled right would be a good thing.

However we all know Apple likes to charge people for everything so the chargers will be a £20 optional extra rather than free at time of purchase.

Which other phone manufacturers do that and supply stores with free merchandise on the side to give away?

 

[Stuey3D]

Which other phone manufacturers do that and supply stores with free merchandise on the side to give away?

Yeah but which other phone manufacturer is currently rumoured to be trying to stiff customers by removing a necessary accessory?

At least the way I suggested wouldn't make Apple look quite as greedy to the worlds media who would jump on this in a heartbeat, hell just the rumour is making its rounds on various sites and stirring up plenty of hate.

Personally I don't need another 5W charger, I've not used the included charger in years as I have plenty of iPad ones that I use instead, so for me personally this is a non issue. However people buying their first phone or people who dont have a huge amount of tech laying about might be a different story. The way I suggested makes the most sense if you are to remove the charger as rumoured.

 

[chrfr]

At least the way I suggested wouldn't make Apple look quite as greedy to the worlds media

It's pretty clear that Apple doesn't care about looking greedy.

 

[Stuey3D]

It's pretty clear that Apple doesn't care about looking greedy.

Yeah we all know that which is why when you look at my original post I said at the bottom that Apple wouldn't do the nice guy thing and it would be a £20 accessory.

 

[now i see it]

If they had the gall to design the early MacBook with only one port, remove the headphone jack on the iPhones and charge $400 for wheels for the MacPro... You can count on them saying F you to the customer once again and selling the next iPhone without a charger

 

[Puonti]

There's no problem here if this turns out to be true. Either people buying a new iPhone will already have chargers, or they can buy one with the phone. Android manufacturers will advertise their phones as "comes with charger" for a while, then follow suit.

 

[ericwn]

It's pretty clear that Apple doesn't care about looking greedy.

I think it’s quite clear that that perception is not common with consumers.

 

[ericwn]

There's no problem here if this turns out to be true. Either people buying a new iPhone will already have chargers, or they can buy one with the phone. Android manufacturers will advertise their phones as "comes with charger" for a while, then follow suit.

Exactly. The potential of tons of less waste due to unwanted and unnecessary cheap in the box chargers is huge.

 

[noobinator]

This will be big news when apple stops including a charger in the box but then every other phone will follow suit the following release and it will become not so big news.

There's also no way Apple could give credit or a voucher for a reduced price charger. That's not the Apple Way.

 

[CTHarrryH]

I would think most of the charging blocks that people have is the "old" slower 5 watt vs newer faster one. If you don't care and if the old cables also work that may satisfy most people.

 

[konqerror]

Yeah but which other phone manufacturer is currently rumoured to be trying to stiff customers by removing a necessary accessory?

Panasonic, NEC, Sharp... Been doing it for ~15 years.

 

[Stuey3D]

Panasonic, NEC, Sharp... Been doing it for ~15 years.

Ok I’ll rephrase that. Which other mainstream manufacturer (Samsung/Google/OnePlus/Motorola/LG etc) is currently rumoured to be trying to stiff customers by removing a necessary accessory?

 

[Marlon DLTH :)]

They could offer discounts on chargers for a few months, they did it with adapters when the MacBook Pro switched to USB C.

 

[konqerror]

Ok I’ll rephrase that. Which other mainstream manufacturer (Samsung/Google/OnePlus/Motorola/LG etc) is currently rumoured to be trying to stiff customers by removing a necessary accessory?

Those brands are mainstream in Japan, where it's done for environmental and carrier lock in reasons. EU saw this and loved the idea. Hence this whole business with EPS.

There is an EU proposal currently being considered to ban the shipment of cables and chargers with phones.

European Commission - Have your say

European Commission - Have your say

ec.europa.eu

You're screaming at the completely wrong people.

 

[Stuey3D]

I still think offering the option of a free charger is the best way of doing it. Can you imagine grandma going to get a new phone only to get it home and realise she can’t charge it? (I use grandma as an example but I am meaning all people who are not very tech savvy in general, grandma is just the easy one we can all associate with the scenario)

Don’t get me wrong I believe it’s a good thing as you could half the packaging, fit more iPhones per shipment so saving shipping costs, and reducing e-waste for chargers that won’t get used. I just feel this is something that needs to be handled sensitively such as reducing the cost of the iPhone by how much the charger would cost or give the people who need the charger the option to get it for free at the time of purchase. However as I said above this is Apple so it will be an extra cost with no savings as anything else would be too consumer friendly.

 

[tripleburst]

Sony's newest camera (ZV-1) doesn't include a charger. Nintendo's 3DS did away with a corded charger years ago. Some of the recently released "mini" game consoles don't include chargers. The included 5W charger has been ridiculed for the past few years might as well not include it.

 

[noobinator]

My new $1,400 Fuji mirrorless camera came with a USB cable but no charger.

 

[ericwn]

My new $1,400 Fuji mirrorless camera came with a USB cable but no charger.

But imagine poor grandma from above ...