Maybe for the sake of discussion, we can change that from tires to a SAE J1772 charger on an EV?
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Apple Now Selling 20W USB-C Power Adapter for $19
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Again, you are missing the point. Apple has decided to put a lot less crap into this world that is not needed. Believe it or not, that is a win for everyone.
Human caused climate change is real. We cannot continue to act wastefully the way we have in the past. This is a step in the right direction and will be copied by other phone manufacturers. It is the right thing to do.
And so to avoid inconveniencing uninformed consumers Apple should continue packaging and shipping millions of chargers that many people simply do not need? On this we fundamentally disagree.
The price, for example, for the iPhone Mini is $729. If you buy through AT&T or Verison, it’s $699. T-Mobile, for example, shows $729, but since the event they’ve indicated that they’ll be providing some form of a deal for customers, too. In the end, it’s likely that very few (save for those that are purchasing unlocked) will be paying $729. And, with the $30, they can buy an Anker charger (for $20) and pocket the difference.
I have more faith in the intelligence of the average consumer.
And your bricked phone comment is wild speculation contrary to existing evidence. Cheap knock-off chargers have existed for years and have been bricking a small number of phones; I believe the word has gotten out. There is no reason to believe there is going to be some massive deluge based on ignorant consumers buying cheap chargers for their iPhones in which they have invested many hundreds of dollars.
Very curious about the suggestion that Apple will see a lot of first time phone buyers with this release as well. That would be great for their bottom line but I doubt they are budgeting on that happening. There is likely not a large percentage of first time phone buyers out there to be inconvenienced if they manage to avoid all of the disclaimers, including on Apple's website. Sure, there will always be kids at Christmas disappointed that "Batteries are not included" because someone did not read the packaging but given the alternative of shipping millions of unneeded charges into the world, well, I am with Apple on this one.
More environmentally conscious, more concerned with the impact they have on the world. I am happy Apple is leading the way.
If we applied the same logic of defending Apple with their earth shattering or rather "saving" approach of not including the charging brick ... they shouldn't have stopped there, they should have removed the lightning cable as well. Since we're so convinced (and Apple supposedly did a study on this) that people have these hard to close desk drawers that just ooze out cables and chargers, one would think that they would also have enough USB-C/Lightning cords to braid a rug?
You see I own a set of BeatsX earphones which have a lightning connector, and until now I only needed one single cable to charge both the iPhone and the earphones ... with the introduction of Beats Flex which has a USB-C, that's no longer gonna be the case. So being the minimalist - because to some miniscule degree I believe that it probably helps the planet that I don't buy 10 spare cables just to have them as mentioned above "ooze out of the desk drawer" I will be in need of purchasing a cable (whichever one) in case it frays, breaks, etc. Something that could have been avoided if all the ports were the same ... yes I know this is venturing into the "why Apple has not put a USB-C on an iPhone" territory, but to an extent this applies here as well. Why stop at bricks, why not remove the cables from the box entirely if this was truly about saving the environment?
You see I own a set of BeatsX earphones which have a lightning connector, and until now I only needed one single cable to charge both the iPhone and the earphones ... with the introduction of Beats Flex which has a USB-C, that's no longer gonna be the case. So being the minimalist - because to some miniscule degree I believe that it probably helps the planet that I don't buy 10 spare cables just to have them as mentioned above "ooze out of the desk drawer" I will be in need of purchasing a cable (whichever one) in case it frays, breaks, etc. Something that could have been avoided if all the ports were the same ... yes I know this is venturing into the "why Apple has not put a USB-C on an iPhone" territory, but to an extent this applies here as well. Why stop at bricks, why not remove the cables from the box entirely if this was truly about saving the environment?
The point isn't really being missed, but it seems like the other side of the coin is perhaps being overlooked by some by only focusing on one side of it. There's a difference when it comes to deciding to do something and carrying the burden of it and deciding to do something and having someone else essentially take on the costs for it (while you even end up profiting from it on top of it all) -- the latter being a fairly easy thing to do and carries a different connotation.
So if we're going with an EV as an example the cord is is included with most EVs just like it is with the iPhone 12. The adapter is the connector on the wall in your garage. Like the adapter it allows you to connect the phone charging cord to a 220V outlet. Getting a new one would still be wasteful if you had a working one in your garage. Of course even the most popular EV doesn't sell in quantities like the iPhone.
The majority of iPhone buyers already have an iPhone charger and adding another is just wasteful. Even adding that cable Apple puts in the box is wasteful for most people. What's worse is most people don't even bother recycling their used electronics. When a charger or cable goes bad or they just have too many they get tossed in the trash then to the landfill. I think it's a fair trade off for some customers to spend $20 or less for a charger so millions don't end up in landfills. I might not be around for when all this environmental waste starts catching up to people but that doesn't mean I don't care about future generations who will.
I know it's rough on people not getting a $20 adapter when they buy their $800+ iPhone. I know at that moment it feels like it's going to ruin their life. I'm really sorry people have to suffer this level of emotional distress to help the environment but it's going to be okay. The guy at the phone store will hold their hand and they'll pick out and adapter together. We will get through the suffering togeth....
No no no forget I said this. No hand holding in 2020... Just pretend to hold hands while staying six feet apart. As I was about to say we're going to make it though this no adapter crisis. I'm sure I'll cry a little when I open my Pro Max and don't see an adapter or earbuds but I'll be okay. 💔 😢
Here is the thing though.
Apple is including the USB C to lightning cable which makes absolutely no sense at all.
The only time that charger came with an iPhone was last year's models.
So why are they shipping a cable that many people don’t need, can’t use and will likely leave unused in the box? Isn’t that the very definition of hypocrisy when it’s still doing something they are marketing against?
I think it’s very obvious environmental reasons is further down the list as to why they have done this. They saved money by not including a plug initially and are now providing a cable they know most won’t be able to use unless they invest in further suitable accessories. It’s a business choice, not an environmental one, which is fine, but don’t try and mask it as something it is not.
$29AUD here lol. Shafted.
I reckon using a slow wireless charger overnight has saved my battery, still at 100% 11 pro after a year. Have only used the 18W when on holidays.
I reckon using a slow wireless charger overnight has saved my battery, still at 100% 11 pro after a year. Have only used the 18W when on holidays.
That’s the thing. I don’t need to buy anything new. Even my 11 pro max wall block and cable are still in the box...
One thing I have noticed is the carriers are offering a 20W plug with every iPhone purchase for free or charging £9 for one.
I wonder if Apple have done this to generate revenue for other companies after all? It’s certainly not cutting down on waste that’s for sure.
I wonder if Apple have done this to generate revenue for other companies after all? It’s certainly not cutting down on waste that’s for sure.
Seems if the carriers are the only ones that are offering this, it would imply a certain net positive for the environment.
You don't need it does not mean other people won't need it.
Lots of commenters already stated they have lots of USB C cables/chargers with their Mac, iPhone or iPads.
Not everyone else have the newer iPhones or other Apple products that came with the USB C cables or chargers which is the point that many of those commenters really don't or refuse to understand!
This is MacRumors so maybe the majority of commenters probably own more than 1 Apple device but the general user or some other commenters may Not.
Many people can still use the older USB A to lightning cable with the older chargers, which are still usable on the new iPhone 12, but that's Not the point!
As others have already stated, Apple wants people to use the USB C cable, which is why it's included with the iPhone 12, so a charger should've been included. Since it's not, people will have to spend more more, regardless of amount, just to get a USB C charger.
That is typical Apple in making users continually buy its accessories just about every time a new Apple product is released. More money to Apple and less to the consumer.
If you have lots of USB C cables and chargers, good for you!
But don't knock [lots of] other people who do Not have them!
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Just stay on topic. Random guesses on what internal components will be dropped only further rants and guessing games. It is what it is. The 2+ billion chargers hat were shipped by Apple along will continue to work with the current devices. Our current wireless chargers continue to operate just fine.
For the few that have none of the above, there is a solution for 20$ from Apple, plus all the third party stuff.
That’s just silly. There won’t be a substantial new demand for chargers because Apple, Amazon and others don’t include them anymore. There’s plenty. They hardly break although theoretically possible.
It’s shifted the burden hasn’t it? It’s no longer Apple supplying the charger and the carriers didn’t offer it before because there was already one on the box. The environment still encounters that charger that wasn’t supposed to be there lol.
Reducing the impact doesn’t equal saving it. Apple hasn’t claimed to save the environment but to lessen its impact.
Get real.
It’s the most important port on Apple’s own devices.
Alternatively:
Shipping an old cable: USB-c users will complain that Apple is not up to date, not going with the time, using the most compact port etc
Shipping both cables: double the environmental impact. Complains on both sides.
Shipping the more modern cable: lots of folks just use their old stuff, a bunch are using the new cable. Probably the least amount of complainers involved.
That’s probably giving someone in Apple’s marketing team headaches right now.