Brazil Fines Apple $19 Million for Continuing to Sell iPhones Without Charger

[I7guy]

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.

Based on the e-waste sub-discussion, mandatory recycling is not enforced evenly. If Apple is forced by law to provide chargers for free, so be it. But you can't stop e-waste from going into landfills, people have to want to recycle. In the future it's my guess if apple has to provide chargers, there will be an uplift in the price.

 

[strongy]

Based on the e-waster sub threads in this discussion mandatory recycling is not enforced evenly. If Apple is forced by law to give chargers away, so be it. But you can't stop e-waste from going into landfills, people have to want to recycle.

on the other hand, the EU's new law is forcing the opposite companies must separate chargers from the sale of electronics

 

[steve09090]

Ear plugs, safety glasses, gloves need to be included ?

Why not? It’s what the whingers here believe. They thing if a product has an accessory that is required to function in its intend fashion, then it should come with the main product.

Here’s another one. Every can of paint sold should come with a brush. Otherwise what’s the point.

An Electric Vehicle with the charger.
A Nail with a hammer…

 

[Juicy Box]

you'll just have to put up with not having a new charger everytime you buy something

Yeah, of course.....

But that is hardly proof saying Apple did it because they were just following the European Commission proposal or for environmental reasons.

Like I said before, I would have rather Apple say that they were doing it due to rising costs or to maintain/increase their profit margin, then to say it was to reduce waste.

There are other things Apple could do to reduce waste that would have a much bigger impact, and may actually be beneficial to the consumer.

 

[Wanted797]

If this is about the environment for Apple, offering a free charger would not be a good solution. Most customers would probably choose "include a charger" even if they didn't need one which would defeat the purpose of excluding chargers for environmental reasons.

Via redemption then. Make the process take a bit of effort but not too much.

 

[turbineseaplane]

If this is about the environment for Apple, offering a free charger would not be a good solution. Most customers would probably choose "include a charger" even if they didn't need one which would defeat the purpose of excluding chargers for environmental reasons.

Make it a choice...
Charger + cable or $20 off

I suspect a lot of people, if not most, will choose the discount unless they do actually need the accessories.

As it is now, Apple is just pocketing the amount saved by not including a charger and then greenwashing everyone with "reducing waste" talking points.

 

[boyarka]

I love to read people arguing over a charger. Only on MacRumors.

Anyway, Apple made decisions, government wants money, Apple pays money, everyone is happy.

This has to be the modern equivalent of "eeehh.... what'chu gonna do, huh?" kind of statement that has absolutely zero content. Roughly equivalent to having a "conversation" at a bus stop... about the weather.

 

[mpmbeast]

I mean, using that logic, you can argue that any accessory should be included. Where do you stop? Should a case be included? Headphones? How about Macs that are sold without Final Cut Pro X? I mean, without FCPX you can't do pro-video on the mac!

Apple should be able to sell each item a la carte. Just want the phone? Why pay for a charger too -- need just a charger, why pay for anything other than a charger? Bundling unneeded hardware is just wasteful.

This is just silly...

You’re missing the point. Despite what Apple claim, they have taken away the charger and headphones to maximise profit. If it’s phone only then it should have been cheaper than the model before it. It wasn’t.

 

[ilikewhey]

Based on the e-waste sub-discussion, mandatory recycling is not enforced evenly. If Apple is forced by law to provide chargers for free, so be it. But you can't stop e-waste from going into landfills, people have to want to recycle. In the future it's my guess if apple has to provide chargers, there will be an uplift in the price.

probably, apple has to do what apple has to do, most folks already moved to a 2-3 year cycle anyway, if apple jacks up the price too much consumers will just hold onto their device longer.

 

[mpmbeast]

Make it a choice...
Charger + cable or $20 off

I suspect a lot of people, if not most, will choose the discount unless they do actually need the accessories.

As it is now, Apple is just pocketing the amount saved by not including a charger and then greenwashing everyone with "reducing waste" talking points.

Nail on the head

 

[planteater]

I mean, using that logic, you can argue that any accessory should be included. Where do you stop? Should a case be included? Headphones? How about Macs that are sold without Final Cut Pro X? I mean, without FCPX you can't do pro-video on the mac!

Apple should be able to sell each item a la carte. Just want the phone? Why pay for a charger too -- need just a charger, why pay for anything other than a charger? Bundling unneeded hardware is just wasteful.

This is just silly...

Yes, and this type of overreach is just beginning. There is also the EU dictating hardware design with the port they choose.

 

[I7guy]

probably, apple has to do what apple has to do, most folks already moved to a 2-3 year cycle anyway, if apple jacks up the price too much consumers will just hold onto their device longer.

It depends what the increase is and how much a particular person is price sensitive.

 

[steve09090]

Make it a choice...
Charger + cable or $20 off

I suspect a lot of people, if not most, will choose the discount unless they do actually need the accessories.

As it is now, Apple is just pocketing the amount saved by not including a charger and then greenwashing everyone with "reducing waste" talking points.

Or how about phone + charger for $20 more? It’s the same thing. But they’re doing that already. So you have your wish.

 

[Mrkevinfinnerty]

Or how about phone + charger for $20 more? It’s the same thing. But they’re doing that already. So you have your wish.

It isn't is it?

 

[steve09090]

It isn't is it?

Yeah it is. Because Apple would raise the price to include it. Plus Apple would have to supply a larger number of phones to enable consumer choice (both with and without charger). Then it would cost more for shipping and Apple would have to raise the price to compensate for that.

And that’s not even considering production of 2 different package sizes which would mean greater expense.

Or they could do what they’re doing and everybody wins.

 

[DevNull0]

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".

When you trade in the phone you get a fraction of what it's worth. If that works for you, that's great, but I can't believe the majority are happy with that.

I generally only upgrade when I need another handset, I always have a relative needing a new phone, I have someone using a 6s waiting for me to upgrade. The difference from a 12 to a 14 isn't really much and certainly not worth (to me) $1000 or so to do that upgrade, but a 12 to a 14 plus someone going from a 6s to a 12 for the same total spend is much more worthwhile. In this case he'd still have his old charger and I'm not sure what he'll do with the 6s, but that was his first iPhone and he had no charger at the time.

I do get and appreciate your joke. I'd just rather do "cat charger > /usr/???" where ??? can be parent, sibling, friend, etc.

Also, in my case (and I am well aware that I'm not typical here), I seem to have have an endless need for old chargers to power various arduino and raspberry pi projects. I usually buy a handful every time I visit Ikea, but the "free" one with an iPhone would be very welcome for me.

 

[Bawstun]

I mean, using that logic, you can argue that any accessory should be included. Where do you stop? Should a case be included? Headphones? How about Macs that are sold without Final Cut Pro X? I mean, without FCPX you can't do pro-video on the mac!

Apple should be able to sell each item a la carte. Just want the phone? Why pay for a charger too -- need just a charger, why pay for anything other than a charger? Bundling unneeded hardware is just wasteful.

This is just silly...

A charger is necessary to use the device. The idea that the consumer should purchase a $1000 device and then need to separately purchase an accessory just so that you can use it.

That’s like selling someone a car and then asking them to buy the keys too.

 

[steve09090]

A charger is necessary to use the device. The idea that the consumer should purchase a $1000 device and then need to separately purchase an accessory just so that you can use it.

That’s like selling someone a car and then asking them to buy the keys too.

That’s nothing like having to buy the keys too. It’s more like having to install a car charger for an EV in your home, or having a new car filled up with petrol. And neither of those have ever been the case.

There are thousands of items that are sold that need a supplementary item to work correctly, that sold separately. Why are Apple the only ones that should be including it? Why not Ryobi, Milwaukee, Tesla, Ford, Samsung, Sony, DJI?

Heck, I even bought a top quality Portable battery without a charger! It’s a flippin power-bank and doesn’t came with a charger!

Anker 337 Power Bank (PowerCore 26K)

The Anker Advantage: Join the 50 million+ powered by our leading technology. Colossal Cell Capacity: 26800mAh of power charges most phones over 6 times, ta

www.anker.com

Q&A:
Does it come with a charging cable and wall charger?
No, it comes with two USB Micro USB cables only.

 

[Sajal]

Apple should have initially given discount if somebody doesn’t want a charger.
This way most people already having one would get the discount and the green initiative argument would have worked out.

However Apple choose to force their decision on all and kept the profit to themselves.

 

[svenmany]

A charger is necessary to use the device. The idea that the consumer should purchase a $1000 device and then need to separately purchase an accessory just so that you can use it.

That’s like selling someone a car and then asking them to buy the keys too.

I think we agree that we buy things all the time that cannot be used unless we buy something else as well. The only difference is expectation. You're expecting the charger, so you're outraged you're not getting it without buying it on your own.

When we buy a cooktop, we don't expect the seller to throw in pots and pans to use it. When we buy a house, we don't expect the seller to provide the electricity. There are so many examples. It's hard for me to understand why the case of the iPhone and charger is any different - other than expectation.

The world is changing (we're killing it). Expectations have to change. Consumerism is killing us. Buy what you'll use. We have to go a la carte otherwise there's too much waste.

 

[steve09090]

Apple should have initially given discount if somebody doesn’t want a charger.
This way most people already having one would get the discount and the green initiative argument would have worked out.

However Apple choose to force their decision on all and kept the profit to themselves.

So clarifying. When you say "kept profit for themselves" do you mean they didn't pass on an automatic increase in price by leaving the charger in? Because the Phone remained the same price even though inflationary conditions were saying it should have gone up.

 

[I7guy]

Apple should have initially given discount if somebody doesn’t want a charger.
This way most people already having one would get the discount and the green initiative argument would have worked out.

However Apple choose to force their decision on all and kept the profit to themselves.

Apple didn’t raise the price even in these trying times. It’s my contention hadnapple continues to manufacture hundreds of millions of chargers, the environment would be worse off and the price of the iPhone would have gone up.

While apple, due to Brazilian regulation may have to eat the cost of chargers since 2020 (which is stupid since those customers already have means to charge an iPhone), I can see the price going up if they have to include it in the box for future models.

 

[Dadcelo]

The way most people here have no idea what the reality outside of their bubble is but still feel the need to share an opinion compelled me to register. So much arrogance. Mind blowing.

 

[steve09090]

The way most people here have no idea what the reality outside of their bubble is but still feel the need to share an opinion compelled me to register. So much arrogance. Mind blowing.

Welcome. It’s nice to know you are compelled to tell everyone your opinion on that 😂. But it’s good to have you here.

 

[Dadcelo]

As a Brazilian I feel my opinion on the subject is at least a decent amount more knowledgeable than say someone outside of Brazil having the same opinion, but I digress.