Apple Ordered to Stop Selling iPhones Without Charger in Brazil [Updated]

[aPple nErd]

I'm not even convinced it actually cut down waste. They switched the included cable to USB-C -> Lightning rather than USB-A, and many people don't have extra USB-C charging bricks lying around. That resulted in a lot of people now having to buy separate chargers with their iPhones, and those of course came in their own packaging and generated more waste (and emissions from transportation) than just packaging it with the phone would have.

I'm not even quite sure why they did it. The charger can't have been expensive to manufacture and there isn't exactly a huge opportunity cost to it either (not everyone is going to buy the official Apple branded charger). It just doesn't make much sense to me.

This was my exact thought process as well. If they had an overlap year or 2 of USB-c cables with charging bricks, or included a USB-c to USB-a adapter in the box like when the iP7 came out and they included a lighting to 3.5 adapter it would make more sense. But I for one didn’t have a computer or a charging brick that used USB-c when they made that change. Actually I still didn’t until this week when I got a new Mac Mini. My PC and all my charging bricks use USB-a only. And my bought separately wireless chargers don’t count because again, I had to buy them separately.

It’s nothing but cost cutting for apple. Plain and simple. Anyone who thinks otherwise is a corporate greed/greenwashing sympathizer.

 

[compwiz1202]

So you don't think people buying iPhones have a few USB-A or USB-C chargers?

Every properly working USB-charger, from any brand, with an USB-A or USB-C port can charge an iPhone.

But you can have anywhere from people like me with a bag full of previous adapters and cable to people buying their very first smartphone with nothing for charging.

 

[gund1234]

When a person buys something that requires charging to function, they typically will assume the parts needed to charge it will be included.

This isn't whiney or crybaby. It is just not being pleased with a company trying to nickel and dime for a necessary part of the product.

there is no free meal, Apple will charge customers for charger.
Why force people to pay more for an iPhone with charger when they don't need one.
Why not people decide what to pay for ?
Why would we want to give that power to government who don't know **** about electronics.

 

[aidler]

I really hope the court strikes the appeal down. The response of Apple is so obviously a lie that everyone can see through it. The effect for the environment is near zero because... bing... you need a charger to use the phone and the environment doesn't care if the charger is from Apple or any other company.

 

[oMean]

Brazil also have high import tax for all electronics. PS5 is like 2x.

 

[andonemorething]

The port of the iPhone doesn't affect the charger at all.
Also, a cable has much less carbon foot print than chargers, but yes, it would be even better for Apple's carbon footprint to not include cables either.

I'm aware, forgot to mention the PD part. That'd have helped them even more. This wasn't just environmental concerns.

Quoting these older Apple preachings doesn't help add value to this IMO. There's no new statements (AFAIK) about how much shipping chargers separately have contributed to emissions. And I would also wonder how many people might have bought 3rd party chargers, maybe poor quality ones and have had to change through a couple of them.

 

[hans1972]

Congrats to Brazil for calling Apple BS. We all know if they were truly about the environment, they should have an option for choosing a charge for "free" when placing the order for people who needs it.

Giving away a charger for free, doesn't reduce the carbon foot print for Apple a much as charging for it.

More expensive charger -> less people buying -> fewer charger procured by Apple -> fewer charger produced by a third-party manufacturer - > less carbon footprint for Apple's supply chain

 

[aidler]

Yes. And with iPhone it is included still.

No it isn't. There is no charger includet.

 

[gund1234]

If Apple wants to be environment friendly they should make their ear buds with replacement batteries. Not use it for few years and toss.

Also International space station should be brought back to earth and all the material should be recycled.
all satellites should be brought back to earth and re cycled.
all good ideas.
But some are not possible, and not worth the cost/compromises that need to be made to achieve that.

 

[Supercyborgninja]

Brasil is now at a HISTORIC position for being a dangerous nation for battling climate change. They've already announced building roads through the Amazon while they're also cutting it down. The Amazon is critical for us as a race.

Hopefully Lula beats Bolsonaro or..it's very scary.

 

[compwiz1202]

But you don't need an USB-C charger to charge an iPhone! You can use any old USB-A charger.

But the current iPhones come with C > Lightning. So you need a C port or an adapter. And C are nowhere close to as common as A. I'm sure near every people getting a new iPhone has an A port on a computer at least

 

[oMean]

there is no free meal, Apple will charge customers for charger.
Why force people to pay more for an iPhone with charger when they don't need one.
Why not people decide what to pay for ?
Why would we want to give that power to government who don't know **** about electronics.

I have not seen apple reseller not asking if they have all accessories.

 

[gund1234]

I really hope the court strikes the appeal down. The response of Apple is so obviously a lie that everyone can see through it. The effect for the environment is near zero because... bing... you need a charger to use the phone and the environment doesn't care if the charger is from Apple or any other company.

I have been buying iPhone since iPhone 4, why should i pay for charger when i don't need one ?
I have whole bunch of chargers and ear buds sitting in my home, don't know what to do with them other than tossing them in garbage.
if you think that Apple is giving away a charger for free then you are wrong, price of charger is included in the price of the phone.

 

[Branaghan]

Why is remote essential for air conditioner ?
Government decides what is essential ?
Why, why can't people decide what they want/need ?
I have kids at home i won't use iPhone with out case, so government should make case essential ?

at the end of the day customers are paying for the charger, it is not free.

The government makes the laws, the judge decides what is essential or not.

It's even worse when said limitation is hidden or not well advertised and the customer is fooled into thinking otherwise. Also, if there's a problem and the company doesn't know it exists, that does not exempt them from fixing it.

A charger IS essential for using tablets and smartphones, unless you are Raiden and can charge them with your own hands... 🙌

This is what the article says:

Suppliers of durable or nondurable consumer goods will answer for any quality or quantity deffects that make these goods inadequate for their purpose or that diminish their value, as well as any deffects resulting from the product being different from what is expected, from what is indicated in the packaging, label, or advertisement, taking into account any variations that may be a result of the goods very nature. The consumer has the right to demand substitution of any defective parts.

§ 6. The following are deemed unfitting for use and consumption:

I - any expired product;

II - products that have deteriorated, been altered, changed, damaged, falsified, corrupted, products that include a type of fraud, that are harmful to life or health, dangerous, or even those that did not abide by manufacturing, distribution or presentation rules;

III – products that, for any reason, may be inadequate for the purposes for which it was intended.

If you buy an iPhone, you don't intend to use it for 6-10 hous, see the battery dying, and never touch it anymore.

Meaning it doesn't make ANY sense to sell without a charger.

If Apple doesn't sell them with a headphone, you can still listen to anything you want. Right?

The car without wheels is not a very good example, because you can't order it like a pizza, so a quality issue may be noticed upon inspection. (if not, then you can argue this is a hidden defect).

The TV and air conditioner is the other way around, you can buy them from the internet, and if you can't operate properly without the remote control, it can't be sold.

 

[BallDribbler]

Are they advertising that the phone can be used without a charger? Are they telling consumers that they are including a charger in the box, but actually failing to do so?

IMO, this is no different than people who build a house next to an airport and subsequently complain to the city that the planes are too loud while demanding noise abatement to keep the jet engines from disturbing their cookout.

I am so sick of whiney, crybaby consumerism.

This suffocates me. It really upsets every bit of my soul seeing people who thinks they know so well about the others. And act like you are entitled to say something like they are whiney and crybaby. Pardon me, I guess you must have lived with them long enough to know who really they are I assume? Knowing full stories of their lives ?

 

[compwiz1202]

They weren't worthless if you had a USB-A to Lightning cable. The problem is Apple switched to only including USB-C to lightning and dropped including chargers almost immediately after. Someone switching from Android could conceivably be stuck momentarily without a way to charge their new iPhone. Not the best welcome to a new platform!

Yes at least if they just gave people an A > L and the 5W A brick, you could at least charge until you get something faster if you need. And you can still make a call in an emergency. With no charger and it dies, you're or worse if there is an emergency.

 

[hans1972]

I'm aware, forgot to mention the PD part. That'd have helped them even more. This wasn't just environmental concerns.

Quoting these older Apple preachings doesn't help add value to this IMO. There's no new statements (AFAIK) about how much shipping chargers separately have contributed to emissions. And I would also wonder how many people might have bought 3rd party chargers, maybe poor quality ones and have had to change through a couple of them.

I don't think Apple is selling 200 million chargers separately per year. It would suddenly have shown $6 billion in increased revenue per year in accessories and we haven't seen that.

Also people buying chargers from others doesn't affect Apple's carbon footprint at all. Those customers who cares about climate should check the carbon footprint of those charger manufacturers before making a purchase.

 

[compwiz1202]

Now how about we start bully them to get the headphone jack back?

I'd honestly rather get that or the Lightning earbuds back rather than another brick to throw in my bag

 

[russell_314]

there is no free meal, Apple will charge customers for charger.
Why force people to pay more for an iPhone with charger when they don't need one.
Why not people decide what to pay for ?
Why would we want to give that power to government who don't know **** about electronics.

This is the problem when governments decide things sometimes. Of course Apple will adjust their price for iPhones in Brazil. Why do yo think the price is different even if you convert the currency. Apple has to charge it's customers for the cost of dealing with government red tape.

The criticism I have for Apple is including the cable. Just sell me the phone. I have multiple cables and adapters and if for some reason I need another I will buy it. I don't want to be forced to buy something I really don't need. The thing is I understand the apapter is going to become e-waste but what happens when iPhone goes USB-C. All those cables that were included are e-waste.

 

[compwiz1202]

Manufacturers are just going to raise prices, they know how to play this game.
What next, every phone should include
head phones ?
case for protection ?
battery pack ?
2 year warranty ?

We consumers pay the price, none of this is free.

But none of that stuff is required. If you have no charger and the phone dies, it's unusable until you acquire one.

 

[ProfessionalFan]

price of charger is included in the price of the phone.

Like I told you above, they didn't reduce the price of the phone when they stopped including the charger so you're now paying for a charger without getting it if that's the case.

 

[oMean]

there is no free meal, Apple will charge customers for charger.
Why force people to pay more for an iPhone with charger when they don't need one.
Why not people decide what to pay for ?
Why would we want to give that power to government who don't know **** about electronics.

but 9,99 when buying 1000$+ phone

 

[compwiz1202]

there is no free meal, Apple will charge customers for charger.
Why force people to pay more for an iPhone with charger when they don't need one.
Why not people decide what to pay for ?
Why would we want to give that power to government who don't know **** about electronics.

What they should do is inform you there's no charging brick when you order and let you order one if you desire.

 

[russell_314]

I'd honestly rather get that or the Lightning earbuds back rather than another brick to throw in my bag

No... Just no. I have tossed so many of those unopened in the trash (landfill). Those should have never came with iPhone after iPhone 7.

 

[aidler]

I have been buying iPhone since iPhone 4, why should i pay for charger when i don't need one ?
I have whole bunch of chargers and ear buds sitting in my home, don't know what to do with them other than tossing them in garbage.
if you think that Apple is giving away a charger for free then you are wrong, price of charger is included in the price of the phone.

I got a little secret for you. Apple hasn't lowered the price for the iPhone when they removed the charger, that btw costs 20 bucks separately. So you are still technically paying for the charger, but you don't get it anymore.