Apple ordered to stop selling iPhones without chargers in Brazil

[Tudor Cibean]

Editor's take: Perhaps having the option to buy phones with or without a wall charger included would be a good compromise. Some consumers might prefer a bundled first-party charger that supports the phone's maximum charging speed, as most brands opt for proprietary fast charging technologies over USB-PD. Other people might feel they have enough chargers filling their drawers and could opt to save a few bucks by buying one without a charger, helping the environment in the process.

Brazil's government ordered Apple to cease selling iPhones in the country without a charger included in the box, claiming that the company is delivering an incomplete product to consumers. The Ministry of Justice and Public Security also fined the Cupertino firm R$12,275,500 (about $2.34 million US).

Apple began shipping phones without chargers two years ago, starting with the iPhone 12. Nowadays, all phones still on sale on its site only include a USB-C to Lightning cable in the box (no AC adaptor), including the iPhone 13 series, the newest iPhone SE, and even the older iPhone 11 lineup.

The company defended this practice, citing environmental concerns saying it considerably lowers the amount of e-waste. The National Consumer Secretariat (Senacon) wasn't convinced by the argument, claiming that Apple could take other measures to reduce the environmental impact, such as replacing the proprietary Lightning port on iPhones with USB-C.

Apple has faced problems in Brazil before over its lack of included wall chargers. Last year, the local consumer protection agency in Sao Paulo issued the company a R$10.5 million ($1.9 million at the time) fine. Meanwhile, in April, a civil court judge ruled that the firm had to compensate a Brazilian customer over $1,000 for not including the accessory in the box. The country also announced a proposal to make USB-C mandatory for all new phones starting July 1, 2024.

It's worth noting that Apple isn't the only phone manufacturer engaging in this practice. A couple of years ago, Samsung stopped bundling chargers with some of its phones, including flagships like the S22 Ultra or the Z Fold 4.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/95884-apple-ordered-stop-selling-iphones-without-chargers-brazil.html

 

[WhiteLeaff]

Well done. Apple sucks

 

[WhoCaresAnymore]

I like the products, but the company sucks.

 

[Uncle Al]

Another wise catch. This should be an international law .....

 

[FaTaL]

Good. Fck you Apple ..|.. The court should of required to fire all the wokes too.

 

[Mr Majestyk]

As much as I hate Brazil and their unhinged Tropical Trump el presidente, good on them in this case.

 

[Edster]

Time and time again, I have said. Much better approach for Apple to have a wall charger opt-in when purchasing rather than not include it and sell it as an extra. The green argument always come off as weak when they essentially profit off it.

On the other hand, letting consumers choose whether or not they want the charger will be a lot less trouble. Heck, they could even guilt trip you with a big spiel about the environment if you decide to opt in. And on the business standpoint, do they really save 4 million USD (when added up the fines) in Brazil worth the savings?

 

[Plutoisaplanet]

Time and time again, I have said. Much better approach for Apple to have a wall charger opt-in when purchasing rather than not include it and sell it as an extra. The green argument always come off as weak when they essentially profit off it.

That’s what Tesla did: https://electrek.co/2022/04/29/tesl...hargers-after-removing-included-new-vehicles/

 

[bviktor]

Well done. Apple sucks

You know what sucks? E-waste.

 

[WhoCaresAnymore]

You know what sucks? E-waste.

Correction, iWaste.

 

[CowsGotMilk]

You know what sucks? E-waste.

I have recently bought a new iPhone. They come without wall plug and with USB-C to Lightening cable (iPhone port). All other wall plugs I have from the other phones comes with USB-A port. So I have to buy a wall plug to charge my iPhone.

It's a great phone, but most of us has to buy wall plugs anyway.

 

[wiyosaya]

I have recently bought a new iPhone. They come without wall plug and with USB-C to Lightening cable (iPhone port). All other wall plugs I have from the other phones comes with USB-A port. So I have to buy a wall plug to charge my iPhone.

It's a great phone, but most of us has to buy wall plugs anyway.

There are USB A to USB C port adapters available - for example - https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1429003-REG/rocstor_y10a207_a1_usb_male_to_usb_c.html

 

[wiyosaya]

$2.3M is pocket change that Apple laughs at.

 

[PEnnn]

Brazil and their scumbag leader doesn't give a rat's butt about toxic waste of any kind.

They're busy turning the Amazon into a desert to make a a few extra bucks.

 

[wiyosaya]

Brazil and their scumbag leader doesn't give a rat's butt about toxic waste of any kind.

They're busy turning the Amazon into a desert to make a a few extra bucks.

IMO, it's Apple that does not give a about e-waste; it's noted in the article that that is the reason Apple claims that they stopped including the chargers.

 

[PEnnn]

IMO, it's Apple that does not give a about e-waste; it's noted in the article that that is the reason Apple stopped including the chargers.

Strange. You seem to think that having multiple chargers for many versions of any mobile phone doesn't create e-waste!!

 

[CowsGotMilk]

There are USB A to USB C port adapters available - for example - https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1429003-REG/rocstor_y10a207_a1_usb_male_to_usb_c.html

There are also USB-A to iPhone cables and there are many other options. But the point is, that you have to buy something, to be able to charge it, which creates e-waste.

 

[kenny loris]

Wasnt the news that Government imposed restrictions against the company if chargers were to be sold separately?