Samsung considering copying Apple's AC charger removal despite mocking ads
Samsung may be shooting itself in the foot with its own marketing effort, as it is believed the South Korean electronics giant may follow Apple in removing the charger from the box for the "Galaxy S21," shortly after mocking the iPhone for the move with the iPhone 12.
The slimmer iPhone 12 box, without the charger or earphones.
As smartphone producers aim to cut down the cost of items included in the box for products, as well as making their offerings better for the environment, Apple took the decision to remove the charger and earphones from the package sold with each iPhone 12. Not that long after that October 13 announcement, Samsung seems to be doing the same thing.
Rumors and Korean media reports seen by SamMobile allege that Samsung is strongly considering ditching both the charger and earphones from its smartphone offerings, starting with the "Galaxy S21" but also being applied to other models. Samsung may not necessarily go as far as Apple though, as some insiders believe only the headphones would be removed, while the charger will remain for now.
Such a move would be beneficial for Samsung in similar ways to Apple. By not including a charger or headphones in the box, it would produce less e-waste which would help the environment, as well as cutting the cost of the product overall.
For this latter point, the removal of the items could help reduce the overall cost of the smartphone to users, or to bolster profits by keeping the price the same while cutting production costs. Customers could also be encouraged to buy headphones separately, such as Samsung's Galaxy Buds, further increasing revenue.
If true, the reports may be embarrassing to Samsung. Following Apple's October 13 event announcing the iPhone 12, Samsung posted to one of its Facebook accounts a simple image of a charger, along with the words "Included with your Galaxy," to poke fun at what it offers that Apple isn't including in the box.
A Samsung Facebook post from October 13
Such mockery isn't new to Samsung. It has a history of not only creating sarcastic marketing campaigns attacking Apple, but it's also followed Apple's footsteps even after such actions.
For example, in August 2019, Samsung was found to have removed advertising from late 2017 where it focused on the lack of wireless charging and a 3.5mm audio port. The removal took place after Samsung introduced the Galaxy Note 10 series, a smartphone line that also lacked a headphone jack.
If Samsung does cut the charger from its next Galaxy smartphone box, it's probable that the latest marketing stunt will be similarly erased from history in short order.
The slimmer iPhone 12 box, without the charger or earphones.
As smartphone producers aim to cut down the cost of items included in the box for products, as well as making their offerings better for the environment, Apple took the decision to remove the charger and earphones from the package sold with each iPhone 12. Not that long after that October 13 announcement, Samsung seems to be doing the same thing.
Rumors and Korean media reports seen by SamMobile allege that Samsung is strongly considering ditching both the charger and earphones from its smartphone offerings, starting with the "Galaxy S21" but also being applied to other models. Samsung may not necessarily go as far as Apple though, as some insiders believe only the headphones would be removed, while the charger will remain for now.
Such a move would be beneficial for Samsung in similar ways to Apple. By not including a charger or headphones in the box, it would produce less e-waste which would help the environment, as well as cutting the cost of the product overall.
For this latter point, the removal of the items could help reduce the overall cost of the smartphone to users, or to bolster profits by keeping the price the same while cutting production costs. Customers could also be encouraged to buy headphones separately, such as Samsung's Galaxy Buds, further increasing revenue.
If true, the reports may be embarrassing to Samsung. Following Apple's October 13 event announcing the iPhone 12, Samsung posted to one of its Facebook accounts a simple image of a charger, along with the words "Included with your Galaxy," to poke fun at what it offers that Apple isn't including in the box.
A Samsung Facebook post from October 13
Such mockery isn't new to Samsung. It has a history of not only creating sarcastic marketing campaigns attacking Apple, but it's also followed Apple's footsteps even after such actions.
For example, in August 2019, Samsung was found to have removed advertising from late 2017 where it focused on the lack of wireless charging and a 3.5mm audio port. The removal took place after Samsung introduced the Galaxy Note 10 series, a smartphone line that also lacked a headphone jack.
If Samsung does cut the charger from its next Galaxy smartphone box, it's probable that the latest marketing stunt will be similarly erased from history in short order.
Comments
"Samsung considering copying Apple's AC charger removal despite mocking ads"
I know that this site is very Aple-centric, but you should report correctly:
- Samsung removed the headphones from the package of Note 20 series first
- Apple COPIED Samsung and went one step further by removing the charger, too
- By removing the charger Samsung would just follow itself
One important difference:
- Samsung offers all Note 20 buyers a free of charge headphone if they wanted it.
- This means unlike Apple Samsung is not ripping off their customers
Samsung is going to inevitably make the same "for the environment" claim. The Android crowd is going to rightfully reply "Bish please, you did it to cut cost and improve profit... and cuz Apple did it." Samsung is going to quickly realize they're gonna have to lower their prices. 'Droiders ain't gonna fall for the marketing. Apple can offer less for more. Samsung can't.
Ironically, the environmental claim rings more truly (that ain't the reason for either side; it's profit) on the Samsung side because there are actually a crap ton more USB-C adapters in customers hands on the Android side. It's a fair bet that most of iOS's user base has a ton of USB-A adapters but very few USB-C. Any iOS user wanting to avail themselves of the full usage of Apple's latest offering of MagSafe has to get the new 20W USB-C charger or deal with less than the 15W advertised wireless charging.
Personally, I’d prefer that Apple have an explicit and intentional bundling strategy in place, a sort of BTO or “a la carte,” call it “Apple Ordering Process 2.0” and make it an integral part of the ordering process. To me this would make it feel more like the customer is choosing not to include a charging brick in their purchase rather than Apple pulling it out and customers scrambling to find a charger after the fact. It’s a subtle difference but it makes more sense to me.
And by shipping it for free, it does not look like a rip-off. So the environment aspect is at least a bit credible.
I have no idea why the marketing guys from Samsung mocked Apple for somthing they did first.
We found the resident troll for this article...
*points to door*
Yup, 110% Scamsung troll, please GTFO