Apple’s decision not to include a power adapter and charger with the iPhone has repercussions. Because Apple is no longer allowed to sell the cell phone in Brazil with such a slimmed-down scope of delivery. The question arises: does this judgment have a symbolic character and thus also have an impact on German customers?
Already with the iPhone 11, Apple did without the addition of a power supply unit and headphones. The step was justified at the time with corresponding thoughts on resource conservation and thus also on environmental protection. After all, millions of chargers are already lying around at customers’ homes and many users could thankfully do without an enclosed power supply unit. Even with the iPhone 14, this will not change.
iPhone sales ban due to missing power adapter
This explanation is not followed in Brazil. A court or the Ministry of Justice is now stopping the sale of any iPhone without a charger. In addition, Apple will be fined the equivalent of almost 2.4 million (source: gov.br). There is no doubt that there is no evidence to support Apple’s claim that selling a smartphone without a power supply serves to protect the environment. Apple does not want to accept this, contradicts and is combative. The manufacturer therefore plans to take action against the decision and is confident.
Reported to Bloomberg (translated): “At Apple, we consider the impact on people and the planet in everything we do. Eliminating power supplies has helped save over 2 million tons of carbon emissions – the equivalent of saving 500,000 cars a year.
We have already won a number of court decisions in Brazil on this issue and we are confident that our customers are aware of the different options for charging and connecting their devices.”
iPhone users love this trick:
Europe has other concerns with Apple
For Europe, the decision in distant Brazil initially has no direct effect and is therefore not symbolic. In Germany, on the other hand, you have completely different problems with Apple. This is how the EU interferes with the Lightning connector. Instead, USB-C will become the general standard and by 2024 at the latest also mandatory.
Apple should comply with this, they are most likely planning to use USB-C for the iPhone 15 next year. So the manufacturer doesn’t have to fight here. It’s different in Brazil: If the decision there is upheld, Apple will probably end up including a charger. Similar to what has already been done in France with the enclosed earphones, but is currently being dispensed with.