Apple reduces price of accessories not included in iPhone 12 box
With the introduction of iPhone 12, Apple is no longer supplying handset buyers a standard wall charger or EarPods, a measure the company says will help offset carbon emissions as part of wider corporate environmental initiatives.
An updated online Apple Store webpage shows EarPods with Lightning Connector now sell for $19, down from $29 prior to iPhone 12's announcement. A new 20W USB-C wall charger, which stands as a ready replacement for the 18W charger that came with iPhone 11 models, receives the same price reduction to sell for $19.
MacRumors spotted the change earlier today.
During today's iPhone 12 unveiling, Apple Vice President of Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives Lisa Jackson announced the new handset line no longer includes free wall chargers and EarPods, both staples of all iPhone models since the original debuted in 2007. The decision to remove the accessories forwards Apple's efforts to reduce its impact on the environment, Jackson said.
"Just like we did with Apple Watch, we looked for ways to cut waste and use less material," Jackson said during today's event. "Customers already have over 700 million Lightning headphones, and many customers have moved to a wireless experience with AirPods, Beats or other wireless headphones. And there are also over 2 billion Apple power adapters out in the world, and that's not counting the billions of third-party adapters. So we are removing these items from the iPhone box."
Beyond raw materials, the policy shrinks down iPhone packaging, which reduces carbon emissions from Apple's logistics chain, Jackson said.
Apple began thinning process with Apple Watch Series 6 and Apple Watch SE, both of which lack power adapters. Today's expansion to the new rule includes iPhone SE, iPhone XR, iPhone 11, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max.
An updated online Apple Store webpage shows EarPods with Lightning Connector now sell for $19, down from $29 prior to iPhone 12's announcement. A new 20W USB-C wall charger, which stands as a ready replacement for the 18W charger that came with iPhone 11 models, receives the same price reduction to sell for $19.
MacRumors spotted the change earlier today.
During today's iPhone 12 unveiling, Apple Vice President of Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives Lisa Jackson announced the new handset line no longer includes free wall chargers and EarPods, both staples of all iPhone models since the original debuted in 2007. The decision to remove the accessories forwards Apple's efforts to reduce its impact on the environment, Jackson said.
"Just like we did with Apple Watch, we looked for ways to cut waste and use less material," Jackson said during today's event. "Customers already have over 700 million Lightning headphones, and many customers have moved to a wireless experience with AirPods, Beats or other wireless headphones. And there are also over 2 billion Apple power adapters out in the world, and that's not counting the billions of third-party adapters. So we are removing these items from the iPhone box."
Beyond raw materials, the policy shrinks down iPhone packaging, which reduces carbon emissions from Apple's logistics chain, Jackson said.
Apple began thinning process with Apple Watch Series 6 and Apple Watch SE, both of which lack power adapters. Today's expansion to the new rule includes iPhone SE, iPhone XR, iPhone 11, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max.
Comments
I recognize that I found that a strange policy, when it was initially presented last month. But it only took a look at my bottom drawer to see the wisdom of it.
And sure is great that if and when I need a new one, it’s a bit cheaper now.
Apple makes a strong case for the environment, but their argument that people have dozens of chargers lying around falls flat when this will be the first iPhone with a USB-C charging cable.
I think those people are going to be few and far between since users will be getting at least one USB-C to Lightning cable in the iPhone box (regardless of which iPhone they buy; SE, XR, 11, or 12). Either they will buy the iPhone and not a charger because they already have hordes of them or they will pony up the $19 for the 20W and use it with the included cable. When their old chargers are removed from service (broken, lost, etc.) and they see that they are going to have to shell out a Jackson regardless of if they go for 5W or 20W they will probably buy a new cable to go with it (whether Apple branded or not).
The "duckbill" style would be perfect if it were 18-20W because then it would support fast charging and be pretty great for international travel (not a big issue at the moment of course).
This brings me to the below comment:
The EU versions of the chargers mentioned above (5, 12, and 20W) are also all the same price at 24.35€ (in Germany).
If you want fast charging with the "duck bill" you have to step up to the 30W which now seems over priced at $49 / 53.60€ (more than double the price of the 20W). A price at $29-$39 / 35-45€ would be a bit more in line with the other chargers' pricing IMHO.
As of people will only have their old charger, but suddenly lose their 8+ years of old cables that go with it.
The smartest thing to so is to include the usb c to lightning cable, as it now means customers will possess every type of cable for any modern charger. (And that’s ignoring the wireless charging options which have been available for years.)
I sure I’m not alone in having a drawer of unopened chargers, headphones, dongles and cables from past apple purchases.
How are they obsolete? The new phones still have Lightning connectors so all the USB A - Lightning cables will still work with whatever USB A chargers that are kicking around. I would agree with this being an issue if the phones now had USB C connectors.