Samsung to Follow Apple and Stop Offering Power Adapters With Smartphones Next Year

[MacRumors]

Samsung does not plan to include chargers in the boxes of some of its smartphones starting in 2021, according to Korean site ETnews (via The Verge).

Samsung, like Apple, is planning to nix power adapters because chargers "have become widespread" and it will allow the company to reduce smartphone production costs.

Multiple rumors have suggested that Apple plans to stop offering power adapters and EarPods with future iPhone models, shipping the devices with just a charging cable.

At the current time, Apple ships iPhones with either an 18W power adapter or a 5W power adapter depending on device, but in 2020, those who need a power adapter may need to purchase one separately from Apple or a third-party company. Many people, however, have multiple power adapters on hand from years of owning Apple products.

Eliminating the power adapter and EarPods from the iPhone's box will allow Apple to lower the production costs of the iPhone 12 lineup, which are equipped with expensive 5G hardware.

Apple will also be able to save money on packaging, and will likely highlight the environmental benefits of fewer accessories in the box. Earlier this week, a render of an alleged iPhone 12 box insert surfaced, depicting a much thinner design that has room for a single cable and the iPhone.

Apple is developing a new 20W USB-C power adapter that is likely to be sold separately to replace existing iPhone charger options, and it seems other smartphone manufacturers like Samsung are going to follow Apple's lead and take similar steps to eliminate accessories.

ETnews says that there's no final word on when Samsung plans to exclude chargers, but there are concerns about how customers will perceive the move. The site speculates that if Samsung removes power adapters without other "rewards of benefits," customers could complain and it could lead to fewer smartphone purchases.

Article Link: Samsung to Follow Apple and Stop Offering Power Adapters With Smartphones Next Year

 

[xxray]

So this is really happening, huh?

 

[nfl46]

Lmao. This is too damn funny! I love it.

 

[JetBlack7]

This is still a rumor, but competitors are like:"They're doing that?? From now on, we are too!"

 

[iLoveDeveloping]

Really glad I got an iPhone 11 Pro last year, I’ll have an 18W charger for years now no extra cost! ?

 

[Seanm87]

I must be honest I expected Samsung to mock apple then do the same a few years later ala headphone jack.

The fact they want to do it asap as well says something.

 

[jkozlow3]

What's next...MacBooks without power adapters? Ridiculous. Yes, many of us already have power adapters, but to sell products without a critical component such as a charger being included is absurd.

Oh, you wanted SEATS and a STEERING WHEEL in your new car? You'll have to purchase those separately! Don't you have seats from your last car you can use? WTF.

 

[SDJim]

"Samsung to follow Apple..."

*GASP*

 

[DotCom2]

GAH! They even have to copy that!

 

[sniffies]

Jayzus, is there anything they won’t copy??

One thing for sure, they’ll never be able to copy profits.

 

[nfl46]

Now, they are going to buy a Google or OnePlus phone until it’s announce they are removing it as well. Lol.

 

[Pirate!]

Now Apple needs to up their game in iPhone wireless charging capabilities.

edit: corrected spelling

 

[MoreRumors?]

To save production cost or increase their profits? I think it is obvious. I know I used the power adapter and never bought one from a third party vendor. Does than mean that other electronics will stop including power cords and you now have to buy that too? We can send a message to Apple and Samsung by holding off buying a new phone for a year.

 

[Fabio_gsilva]

This is a really bad move for other markets, like here in Brazil. Usually, we put our iPhones in covers, protect the screen, keep the box and all accessories the best we can, because resell value of and iPhone is HUGE here, and a integral part of the ecosystem of buying a new one. Sooo, no, me and a lot of people around here do not keep older chargers... they are delivered to the new owner.
Really dislike this move.

 

[Jimmy Bubbles]

Samsung would never follow Apple...lol

 

[luvbug]

More good news for the planet!! Thank you!

 

[sdreamer07]

I'm fine with assuming they lower the price accordingly. Something tells me they'll charge the same and keep the difference though.

 

[vionc]

This is a really bad move for other markets, like here in Brazil. Usually, we put our iPhones in covers, protect the screen, keep the box and all accessories the best we can, because resell value of and iPhone is HUGE here, and a integral part of the ecosystem of buying a new one. Sooo, no, me and a lot of people around here do not keep older chargers... they are delivered to the new owner.
Really dislike this move.

Well wouldn't resale value of the phone stay the same? If it wasnt shipped originally with a power adapter, second hand buyers cant really expect to get it with one right?
I understand that you will have to buy one for yourself, but thats basically a one time expense

 

[reimertz]

Seriously, this is good news for our environment. Please stop complaining. This is how all electronics should be sold, you buy what you need.

What you can complain about, if it happens, is if this will be marketed as above but price drop doesn’t match actual cost.

 

[mi7chy]

Voucher or no voucher for free charger with device purchase?

 

[PDavidAlexander]

Thank God. It’s about time they stopped this. Not only is a good for their profits, but it’s also good for the planet. I must have 100 charging blocks laying around. Now, if they would just ditch Lightning in favor of USB-C (or Thunderbolt) as they have done with the MacBook and iPad, that would be amazing. To be able to charge all of my devices with one type of cable would make traveling so much easier.

 

[Art Mark]

It’s disingenuous to put forward cost savings as the swing vote here. The EU is putting laws in place about E-waste. And yes, shipping millions of cables and wired EarPods are basically e-waste waiting to happen. So a small cost savings, very small I’d guess, is probably not the motivating factor here.
[automerge]1594228688[/automerge]

Voucher or no voucher for free charger with device purchase?

iPod touch doesn’t ship with a charger or a voucher...

 

[now i see it]

Smartphone chargers will become the new dongle.

 

[NMBob]

Buy cheap China (not Chinese) crap chargers that catch on fire like everyone else will would be my guess.

 

[Oliver CL]

What's next...MacBooks without power adapters? Ridiculous. Yes, many of us already have power adapters, but to sell products without a critical component such as a charger being included is absurd.

Oh, you wanted SEATS and a STEERING WHEEL in your new car? You'll have to purchase those separately! Don't you have seats from your last car you can use? WTF.

I hope this means phone makers will start selling multi port fast chargers separately at a decent price — the last time I had to replace my lost MacBook Pro charge, Apple charged me an arm and a leg for it.