At the same time the EU is working to eliminate the need...
A Brazilian court today levied a $19 million "social damages" fine (100 million reais) against Apple for selling iPhones without a charger, reports Reuters. The Sao Paulo state court said that Apple must offer battery chargers with iPhones that are sold in the country, providing a decision in a lawsuit brought about by the Brazilian association of borrowers, consumers, and taxpayers (AMBCC).
Apple has said that it stopped offering chargers with iPhone purchases in order to cut down on carbon emissions. The company has argued that many customers already have chargers available, and it continues to sell chargers on a standalone basis.
The court presiding over the case did not look favorably on Apple's environmental explanation. "It is evident that, under the justification of a 'green initiative,' the defendant imposes on the consumer a required purchase of charger adapters that were previously supplied along with the product," read the ruling.
In addition to the fine, Apple is expected to sell iPhones with chargers and also provide chargers to all Brazilians who purchased their products after October 13, 2020, according to Brazilian news site Estadão. Apple ceased providing chargers with iPhones when it launched the iPhone 12 models in 2020. In most countries, Apple no longer ships iPhones with EarPods or a power adapter, offering just a USB-C to Lightning cable.
Back in September, the Brazilian Justice Ministry ordered Apple to stop selling iPhones without a charger and also levied a fine of $2.34 million, claiming that Apple was giving customers an incomplete product.
Apple has not complied with that order as it is appealing the ruling, with the company also planning to appeal today's Sao Paulo decision.
Article Link: Brazil Fines Apple $19 Million for Continuing to Sell iPhones Without Charger
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Brazil Fines Apple $19 Million for Continuing to Sell iPhones Without Charger
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Nope, that's just Apple spin.
Apple could have done other things to reduce waste while not charging for things that were previously included.
you realise apple is just following the EU, in 2026 other companies will be forced to separate the charger from the packaging anyway if they want to continue selling in the EU
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Yeah, Apple doesn't do a good job in a lot of ways. We have to start chipping away at all these wasteful approaches. For now, no chargers. Tomorrow, no cables. Buy what you need. If your new phone didn't have a usb-c cable in the box you could just use the older, slower cables you already have; they aren't obsolete - my 12 is plugged into one now. If you wanted faster charging, buy the newer cable and charger.
I can't believe people are gobbling up and even defending the Apple talking point of "reduce waste"
No we don't, but Apple could have kept them the same.
BTW, I am not knocking Apple for removing chargers to adjust for rising costs or increase/maintain their margins, but I am knocking them for saying it is for environmental concerns.
Source?
I've traded in many iPhones. I've never been asked to give the charger. I have a drawer full of them (well 5). You should try to hang on to them, it will save you money.
-- EDIT --
rats, I should have made the joke that only you would understand. Stop typing "cat charger > /dev/null".
It turned out that among the proposals of the European Commission is not only the introduction of a unified USB Type-C connector but also the desire to “separate the sale of chargers from the sale of electronics”. This, according to officials, “will improve consumer convenience and reduce the environmental impact associated with the manufacture and disposal of chargers; thereby supporting environmental and digital transitions.”
Pulling the plug on consumer frustration and e-waste: Commission proposes a common charger for electronic devices
Today, the Commission takes an important step against e-waste and consumer inconvenience, caused by the prevalence of different, incompatible chargers for electronic devices.
Apple won't make a sacrifice. If users want to accuse Apple of greed on MacRumors, then let them. If Apple is serious about the environment, what I just proposed is a good solution that benefits those who need a charger and stops excess manfacturing.
This is from the recent change that the European Commission passed less than two weeks ago, correct?
Apple removed chargers in the package two years ago.
Even still, Apple could have waited a few years for this change to be effective, and they didn't.
Yeah, they should. But, how much outrage can they take in such a short time.
the actual Proposal was Published on the 23 September 2021, so people have known about it since then
Mandatory recycling doesn't mean that when people put their garbage out they are doing that either. You can't force people to be environmentally conscious but can give them avenues when they want to be. If people want to throw oil down the sewer line, you can't stop them but the towns, cities can provide places to dispose of used oil for free.
Now that they are C>L, I agree. I've never had one of those fail or fray yet. A>L on the other have would be frayed in a few months.
This is true for me. The Apple supplied cables are just my e-waste. I wish they hadn't included them.
Believe it. It's hard to believe people are saying that Apple should just contribute more to the pollution and manufacture more chargers and give them away.
older charger that supports usbc? doubt it.
for sure future wise its better, but in the short run, apple is asking it's consumer to short end of the stick instead of them. apple's argument and anyone whos in favor of apple's decision would make more sense if apple has been shipping usbc charger for 3-4 years, that at least covers anyone whos in the 3-4 year cycle phrase, but they only shipped the usbc charger for the 11 models.
I know some that might not have C. A I'm sure a great majority have
There are two completely separate discussions to be had and are being conflated in this thread.
1 - Is Apple mainly motivate by profit and should their hands be slapped for being greedy?
2 - Is e-waste a problem and is the step Apple took a good one?
I say yes to both.
1 - Is Apple mainly motivate by profit and should their hands be slapped for being greedy?
2 - Is e-waste a problem and is the step Apple took a good one?
I say yes to both.
yeah it does, my building got slapped with a fine when someone forgot to take out the plastic. but that argument is neither here nor there.
You can plug it into a computer and it will charge. My GoPro didn’t come with the power brick and I somehow managed to find a way to power it.
Again, this was after Apple removed the charger.
Also, even if somehow Apple knew about this prior to the proposal in 2021, Apple could have switched to a USB-C port on the iPhone already, which would probably have a much bigger impact on the environment than removing chargers.
you'll just have to put up with not having a new charger everytime you buy something