Apple Survey Asks iPhone Users What They Do With Old Power Adapters

[The Game 161]

It’s happening

 

[MrKennedy]

What are you going to do if Apple decides no one gets the charger in the box? Not buy a new iPhone when you’re ready for a new one?

If this ends up being true, I’m sure they and carrier partners will have a solution at checkout to offer you one (free or $$)

It’s definitely inconvenient, but I doubt it’ll negatively impact sales or brand reputation.

 

[dawindmg08]

I have charging bricks all over the place. My wife and I charge our iPhones wirelessly now –– but guess what? Those chargers don't come with USB>AC adapters so the little white plugs get used. Separate charging station in the living room for us and guests? Little white plug. Backup charger at my desk in the office for my phone and Magic Mouse 2? Little white plug. And let's not forget the biggest one: TRAVEL. My Mom doesn't have any iPhone chargers in her house. That old seaside resort we visit doesn't have USB plugs in the bedside clock. The USB charging ports in most airports are garbage and won't give me enough juice before I board my flight. I probably have little white plugs in every laptop bag and mini-suitcase I own.

So yes, they're necessary. But I will say: I'm at the point now where I don't need new ones very often. I'm actually not using the USBC wall charger that came with my 11 Pro because I go wireless overnight and there's no need for another charger in my house. So for people like me who have accumulated a ton of plugs since the iPhone 3G days maybe I don't need another new one. And if Apple's research is showing that lots of users don't even bother with the plug and just charge their phones off their computers then maybe this is something worth looking at. The amount of e-waste in the world is staggering right now, so if this move helps cut down on that in some small way then maybe it's worth all the whining and hand-wringing.

 

[Rogifan]

I use the one in the box to charge my AirPods Pro. I charge my iPhone with the 29W USB-C charger I bought to charge my iPad Pro.

Here’s what will happen. Apple will get rid of the headphones and charger. Phil Schiller will crow on stage about the thinner packaging being better for the environment and how Apple could offer 5G without raising the price of the phone (or only raising it $50).

 

[hans1972]

It amazes me how people will find excuses for Apple for not including a charger. And I’m sure Apple will spin it with being environmentally friendly and blah blah blah. And people will buy it because Apple said so.

We don't have to find excuses since it won't affect us or we don't care.

I have never used the charger that came with any iPhone I bought. Any removal would only have a small positive effect since carrying it from the post office will be a bit lighter.

 

[Rogifan]

It baffles me how many tech journalists (and people in general) are defending this move by Apple. When I read this story I thought everyone would be in agreement but nope.

If we can’t agree with something as basic as shipping a charging brick with your phone we’re all pretty screwed.

Yes. And people calling it an “accessory”. Last time I checked something that is required for a device to work isn’t an accessory. We all know Apple isn’t going to pass the savings on to the consumer. They‘re either doing this to offset some of the cost of 5G or to get people to buy a pricy fast charger.

 

[iReality85]

At times, I’ve given spare iPhone adapters to family members, but I don’t think I’ve ever sold or thrown them away.

Right now, I have three; one for my nightstand, one I keep in my carry case that I take back and forth to work (e.g. on the road use), and one I keep as a spare at home for when I need it, like to charge my ATV remote.

If it’s true that iPhone 12 is going to be a super cycle (and I think it will), it would be good to include the new adapter in the box, to at least get it seeded among the customer base. Than, if Apple wants, exclude it from iPhone 13 or whenever.

 

[mabhatter]

Stays in the phone box so that if I sell the phone on, I can include all accessories.

That counts as two checks for me. I keep the box and then after 2-3 years Hand the iPhone down to a kid and they get the new new adapter and charger with it.

Frankly since the 6 or so, the pack-in charger is insulting. They should have been packing in the higher wattage/faster charging iPad ones for like five years now. The basic one takes forever.

 

[FlyGuyDEN]

✓ "Gave it back to Apple, so they could sell it to me again for $19 next year."

We have a winner.

 

[ninecows]

Those cheap 3rd party chargers have a bad reputation for setting your house on fire. We mostly try to stick to original chargers for that reason.

So if omitting the charger is going to be the new standard and they only include a usb-c wire then I will be forced to buy a new one for my next phone. My current chargers are all USB-A. And it will be at Apple rate (eg 2-3x the cost of no-name chargers).

A new iPhone is not a small investment and I expect to be able to charge it out of the box. Omitting it without offering it for free on the side as optional is just too greedy. Trying to spin such a decision as eco friendly would be classic Apple reality distortion.

So offer it as optional on the side for free. Then I’m all in

 

[mabhatter]

It can be a win all round for some but it probably isn't overall for all.

Firstly, it assumes a 5W adapter in the box. Who wants a 5W adapter when the phone can charge at so much more?! If a 20W adapter is in the box then even though I have a boatload of 5W adapters although I'd want that 20W adapter.

Additionally, a charger less phone box + a charger in a separate box is more packaging and more damaging to the environment. At which point the only case you can make for its validity is more profits as you have the overhead costs of 2 separate products rather than the 1.

And then you have those that aren't coming from previous iPhone ownership.

If it's done right, which it can be, then sure it can be a win for all… but Apple won't do it that way.

the 5W adapter is useless. It’s a waste of space. Now if they made that mythical 18w adapter also thinner to take less space e in the box, it would be useful.

i’ve had iPads for like 7 years too. So I replaced all my house chargers with those like 5 years ago. If I need a new one, you used to fine the 21w MacBook USBC adapter On sale at places like target all the time So I have a stack of them. And those use the standard Apple extension cord too... so yay longer heavy-duty cords.

 

[paradox00]

I, and I assume most people, sell it with their old phone, therefore we need a new one with whatever phone we upgrade to. Stop being cheap and continue to include the adapter.

What do the people who buy your phone do though? Eventually, the phone is no longer useful, yet the charger is. Furthermore, look around your home and identify how many things you have that charge over USB. Does each of those things need it's own separate charger? Stop having such a narrow world view. The most effective environmental practice is limiting production (recycling is least effective), and right now the world is producing more chargers than the world needs. It's extremely wasteful and the reason why places like the EU are moving towards universal chargers so that we don't need to get a charger with every electronic device purchased.

Also: Apple's chargers aren't even that good. If I'm using any new chargers, they will be from Anker or Aukey.

 

[macintoshmac]

I am ok with that if it reflects in a -$19.99 in my purchase.

Exactly. I am all in for a "just the phone" purchase, the way the replacement devices come, at a reduced price. But, at full retail and more-than-the-previous-year prices, we expect a full package. Instead of supplying at least the 12 W charger with the phone or the 18 W USB-C as standard, they are trying to go the opposite route of not supplying one at all!

I wonder if this survey makes them rethink or if it actually cements their new line of thought.

 

[glowplug]

Where is “Left it in a hotel room.” ?

 

[clipse2d]

If the phone includes USB-C data cable, there is no reason not to include a USB-C charging brick. That would be as foolish as removing the USB -C wall adapter from
the iPad Pro box or the MacBook Pro. If you include a USB A data cord, I can see not including the adapter, but if you are marketing this as a “pro” phone, just include the adapter

 

[1rottenapple]

Amid multiple reports that Apple will no longer include a power adapter in its iPhone boxes starting with the iPhone 12 later this year, it appears Apple is surveying recent iPhone buyers to ask about what they've done with the power adapters that came with their previous iPhones.

Screenshot via Twitter user @bedabb_​

Apple's surveys typically cover numerous aspects of its products, but Brazilian Twitter user @Gunstaxl recently noted (via 9to5Mac) that the iPhone survey he received included several questions about how he uses the charger, including one specifically addressing the fate of the charger that was included with his previous iPhone, an iPhone XR.

We found one other recent mention of this survey, from fellow Brazilian Twitter user @bedabb_, so it looks like Apple's survey may be limited to that country. In this second case, Apple asked about the charger that came with the user's previous iPhone 7 Plus.

Among the possible answers to Apple's question about the fate of the previous charger:

• Gave it to a family member or friend
• Recycled it
• Lost or misplaced it
• No longer working or not working well
• Still using it at home
• Still using it outside of my home (e.g., work, school, other location)
• Still have it, but don't use it
• Sold it or traded it in with the iPhone

While still only a rumor at this point, the idea of Apple removing the power adapter from the iPhone box has certainly generated controversy, although removing the adapter will save Apple money, reduce e-waste, and allow for more shipping efficiency. Many users already have numerous adapters from previous iPhone and iPad purchases, while some may prefer other charging solutions such as multi-port chargers or wireless chargers.

Apple appears to be preparing its own 20-watt fast-charging adapter that would be sold as a separate accessory, an upgrade over the 18-watt adapter that currently ships in the box with the iPhone 11 Pro and iPad Pro and is also available on a standalone basis.

Article Link: Apple Survey Asks iPhone Users What They Do With Old Power Adapters

Sit in my drawer. I say get rid of it. Just give us a cord for charging.

 

[matt_and_187_like_this]

Cook already getting a hard-on thinking about how this $.5 saved will multiply into millions and billions of additional profit.

 

[macintoshmac]

There's no "or whatever". The world doesn't need millions more unused cords and chargers. Every one of those things comes with an environmental cost. Minerals mined, plastic made from petroleum by-products -- and all of this carrying the carbon cost of manufacture, packing and transport.

Anyone who's been using iPhones for a while has cords and chargers. Probably lots of them. And anybody who doesn't can surely afford to spend $20 buying one while they're buying a $1000 phone.

At some point Apple will stop including chargers. People will whine and post on forums about how they're never buying an iPhone again. Sure, ok. But then six months later everyone will calm down and life will go on -- but with a little less waste.

True. For people who own Apple devices previously, this is fine, but only if they reduce the retail price by the amount they take for the charger in retail. I have bought chargers from Apple when I have needed them. When I sell my device, the charger goes along with.

I may be flamed for this, but the way Apple seems to be going about this is wrong. Also, speaking of one's ability to afford a $20 charger vis-a-vis a $1000 phone is meaningless. This is not about affordability at all. It is sort of like being asked if you would like to receive your brand new car with tires or without, since most of us have at least one car with us already and since tires are so costly, we could just put them in the car we need and leave the other car on jacks. If we need to use all our cars in the house at the same time, we buy tires for all of them. If not, we have saved the environment. Surely, a person who can afford a multi-thousand dollar car can afford a multi-hundred dollar spend on tires, yes?

 

[unchecked]

Everyone please vote that you still use it.

This is ridiculous, the charger goes with the phone with it’s sold.

So not only does Apple want us to buy a $1000 phone, they wanna charge $30 for charging it.

But I’m sure I’m not the only one who don’t use it and this survey is to find out if the people who do are still the majority or have become the minority.

Personally I have been using those travel adapters with multiple ports. They have USB-C. If it means less e-waste lying around then so be it. Havent used a white adapter since I started using those adapters like 2016.

 

[sjalfr]

I would be OK with not including it as it would be good for the planet, but maybe Apple can issue, with the purchase of a phone, a discount code, which could go towards the price of a new adapter. The coupon could only be used once and be attached somehow to the phone's SN. So if you sell it, the buyer can still get the discount if needed.

 

[ThiGeever]

I, and I assume most people, sell it with their old phone, therefore we need a new one with whatever phone we upgrade to. Stop being cheap and continue to include the adapter.

On what grounds can you possibly assume that? I charge my phone on my laptop everyday, but not gonna assume everyone does that too.

 

[jjudson]

I have them plugged in all over the house cuz I am lazy.

Instead of lazy, I would call it convenient. I have one permanently plugged in near my bed for nighttime, one in my office for when I’m there, and one in my backpack for when I travel. I have a few more in drawers because my son always misplaces his. I even buy a couple extra from time to time as they get lost or beaten up.

Personally, I would rather Apple take a very low-cost hit from their cheap Chinese labor and stop considering such ridiculous ideas.

 

[CharlesShaw]

Why bother getting the charger when you can have one perma plugged into the various outlets? Maybe that person values pragmatism over looks?

Are you referring to wall receptacles or outlet taps that have USB ports? Good option, as long as one trusts the manufacturer. Of course then you have to deal with USB A and C again. If your home outlets have USB A outlets in them and your new iPhone 12 comes with C to Lightning, you still need to use your own cable.

By the way, I have one of those outlet taps with alleged surge protection and a couple USB ports on it, but I only charge my less sensitive devices on it, like bicycle lights or my Siri remote. I guess I'm weary of charging my iPhone with anything but an Apple charger (and then, only the lowest wattage).

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

My view is that anyone who can drop $1k on a smartphone can easily drop $5-20 on the required charger - if they actually require one.

 

[myrtlebee]

What do the people who buy your phone do though? Eventually, the phone is no longer useful, yet the charger is. Furthermore, look around your home and identify how many things you have that charge over USB. Does each of those things need it's own separate charger? Stop having such a narrow world view. The most effective environmental practice is limiting production (recycling is least effective), and right now the world is producing more chargers than the world needs. It's extremely wasteful and the reason why places like the EU are moving towards universal chargers so that we don't need to get a charger with every electronic device purchased.

Also: Apple's chargers aren't even that good. If I'm using any new chargers, they will be from Anker or Aukey.

A narrow world view? Lol. I am giving you an opinion on a charger. I am telling you my own experience and opinion. It's a way for Apple to save themselves some money, not a way for them to save the planet.
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On what grounds can you possibly assume that? I charge my phone on my laptop everyday, but not gonna assume everyone does that too.

I assume most people do that. Exactly as I said. I am guessing, just like everyone else.