Apple may stop shipping power adapters with iPhone SE, other current devices
Apple is expected to ship new "iPhone 12" models without an AC power adapter, but it could also do the same for previously released devices like the iPhone SE.
Credit: Apple
The lack of a charging brick in the box is said to be a cost-saving move for this year's iPhone models. Apple also stopped shipping power adapters with the Apple Watch Series 6, citing environmental reasons.
In a tweet on Tuesday, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman suggested that the Cupertino tech giant would also stop shipping charging bricks with previously released iPhone models that "it'll keep selling."
Although Gurman doesn't specify, his prediction suggests that Apple will -- or already has -- change the packaging for current iPhone models to reflect the absence of the charging accessory.
The Bloomberg reporter specified that Apple would nix the power adapter for the iPhone SE, as well as other pre-"iPhone 12" models that it'll continue selling as part of its updated lineup. At this point, it isn't clear which current iPhone models will continue to be sold alongside the updated "iPhone 12" lineup besides the iPhone SE.
Additionally, it's unclear if Gurman's prediction is simply a guess or actually based on actual leaked information. Gurman didn't say whether he received the idea from an outside source.
Apple has long been rumored to be pivoting toward wireless charging for its flagship iPhone devices, and analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has forecast that the company could switch to a "completely wireless experience" by 2021. Apple is also rumored to be developing some type of small wireless charging adapter in lieu of AirPower.
The "iPhone 12" lineup is expected to make its debut at Apple's "Hi, Speed" keynote event, slated for 10 a.m. Pacific (1 p.m. Eastern) on Tuesday, Oct. 13.
Credit: Apple
The lack of a charging brick in the box is said to be a cost-saving move for this year's iPhone models. Apple also stopped shipping power adapters with the Apple Watch Series 6, citing environmental reasons.
In a tweet on Tuesday, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman suggested that the Cupertino tech giant would also stop shipping charging bricks with previously released iPhone models that "it'll keep selling."
In addition to removing the charging adapter from the newest iPhones today, look for Apple to do the same for the SE and other iPhones it'll keep selling.
-- Mark Gurman (@markgurman)
Although Gurman doesn't specify, his prediction suggests that Apple will -- or already has -- change the packaging for current iPhone models to reflect the absence of the charging accessory.
The Bloomberg reporter specified that Apple would nix the power adapter for the iPhone SE, as well as other pre-"iPhone 12" models that it'll continue selling as part of its updated lineup. At this point, it isn't clear which current iPhone models will continue to be sold alongside the updated "iPhone 12" lineup besides the iPhone SE.
Additionally, it's unclear if Gurman's prediction is simply a guess or actually based on actual leaked information. Gurman didn't say whether he received the idea from an outside source.
Apple has long been rumored to be pivoting toward wireless charging for its flagship iPhone devices, and analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has forecast that the company could switch to a "completely wireless experience" by 2021. Apple is also rumored to be developing some type of small wireless charging adapter in lieu of AirPower.
The "iPhone 12" lineup is expected to make its debut at Apple's "Hi, Speed" keynote event, slated for 10 a.m. Pacific (1 p.m. Eastern) on Tuesday, Oct. 13.
Comments
Don't lie to yourself. This is a money move, not a saving earth move. Sure, I have quite a few adaptors but they are all 5W. I have one 10W and one 12W adaptors from my iPads. I'd like my $1200 dollar phone to include a charger......
Yes, Apple will save money by not shipping power adapters in the box. Yes, not making and shipping power adapters that will ultimately go unused will have a positive impact on the environment, including because the iPhone boxes will themselves be smaller. Apple has granular data on how many of their new phones are sold to repeat customers who likely already have one or more fully functional power adapters. They know that millions of iPhone purchasers do not need another adapter.
No, they will not sell you a thousand-dollar phone and fail to mention that there's no power adapter in the box. They will let you know, and will provide you with options, all the way from "no adapter needed" to fast-charging and wireless charging power supplies. They will give discounts for those options with the purchase of a new iPhone, with the standard, low-power cube likely being free, if you want it.*
This will be better for everyone. Apple will probably make more money. Part of the reason will be because, just by asking the question at the point of sale and giving people options, more people will opt for an upgrade to fast chargers and wireless chargers, whereas they wouldn't have bothered if another junk-drawer-destined low-power adapter was already in the box. Fewer unused chargers will be manufactured and eventually discarded. Customers will end up with better adapters and be happy they got a discount on them rather than another "free" low-power one.
*Made right before the presentation, this part does not appear to be correct. Still, iPhone 12 models start with double the data storage as the previous model, all have the faster processor, 5G, better screen, stronger glass, etc., all for the same price as the previous model. So, more features packed into the phone, but if you really don't already have chargers and earbuds, you'll have to spend more to get them. This is still not a more-money-for-less-stuff proposition. If you think about it, this makes perhaps an even stronger case that it's more about environmental goals than a "money grab." The wholesale cost of the wired buds and charger has to be significantly less than the wholesale cost of the additional/new hardware packed into the phone, as compared to last year's model. As a result, they are probably making a smaller margin on the 12 as compared to the 11, even after savings from the elimination of the charger and ear buds.
This is no different than printers not coming with parallel printer cables. It's fine.
Prove it. That's what you say, Apple says it's about their effort to reduce waste of all sorts of precious materials. Considering their tremendous green efforts, that follows suit and there is no reason to doubt them.
Pathetic how cyclical some people are. It's like you cannot concede that resource conservation is a good thing. It also happens to benefit companies by spending less on packing and transport. No reason not to.
Meanwhile, they just doubled the base-storage of the Pro from 64gb to 128gb. Put them together -- I'd much rather they save money not shipping junk I don't need, and use it including more storage I can use. It's a win win win.