the iPhone 12 It may end up being as remarkable for what Apple leaves out as what it includes. According to multiple reports, the iPhone 12 may not come with a wall charger in the box, which would be the first time for the company. All iPhones from the original model in 2007 were shipped with a wall charger, so this would be a great change.
Why would Apple make that move and, more importantly, could it backfire? There are several reasons not to include a charger in the box, ranging from reducing Apple’s costs to helping the environment, but the company will have to explain itself, as well as possibly offer incentives, so that this omission is not perceived as theft of money. .
An unprecedented move
We’ve heard from a couple of different sources that Apple may not include EarPods or a charger in the box for the iPhone 12. But this latest move is considered more controversial since it needs a charger for the phone to work.
The hustle began in June when a Barclays research note That came up saying that the iPhone 12 line would not include EarPods and possibly not a charger. Then analyst Ming-Chi Kuo followed up and apparently confirmed that the iPhone 12 would not ship with a charger, even though the next phones would be able to support a new 20W fast charger.
The report says Apple would make the 20W power adapter an optional accessory. With the iPhone 11 ProApple included an 18W fast charger but shipped a 5W slow charge adapter with the usual iPhone 11.
So if these reports are true, you will likely have to pay more to get the fastest charging speeds, no matter what iPhone 12 model you buy.
iPhone 12: advantages of leaving the charger behind
For Apple, there could be numerous reasons why it wouldn’t include a charger with the iPhone 12. On the one hand, it would help Apple cut costs, especially at a time when 5G modems are raising prices for phones.
“I think the main driver is trying to limit the price as [build of materials] it goes up to 5G, ”said Carolina Minaesi, principal analyst at Creative Strategies.
“Many people are drowning in chargers. The problem of electronic waste is real. Even the environmental cost of shipping all of these chargers is significant. “
Avi Greengart, Techsponential
Presumably, Apple would also pay less to ship each iPhone 12, which would really add to the company when it comes to moving millions of units in a given quarter.
Another benefit to Apple is that it could earn points for being green. Anker CEO Steven Yang said The edge His company, known for manufacturing chargers and accessories, estimates around 300,000 tons of electronic waste a year with boxed chargers alone.
“A lot of people are drowning in chargers,” said Avi Greengart, chief analyst at Techsponential. “The problem of electronic waste is real. Even the environmental cost of shipping all of these chargers is significant. “
iPhone 12 reaction? Remember the headphone jack …
the initial reaction in forums and social networks for Apple potentially not including a charger with the iPhone was largely negative. And there could be another wave of disappointment if the rumors prove true.
“I’m sure there will be some annoying consumers, but I think most will be surprised,” said Jitesh Ubrani, research manager at IDC. “It is not unusual to find a device today that does not include a charging brick, but it is unusual for this to happen on an iPhone.”
The reaction to Apple abandoning the charger will largely depend on how Apple implements the change. A suggestion: don’t use the word “value,” as Apple did when it discarded the headphone jack starting with the iPhone 7.
“It is difficult to know how people will respond, since many of them are emotional. Thinking logically, the headphone jack had a more material impact on people. “
Carolina Milanesi, Creative Strategies
“If Apple just drops the charger, yes, consumers will be upset, especially given the high cost of Apple’s accessories,” Greengart said. “However, if Apple makes the charger optional by offering a compensatory credit to buy one if needed, it is a consumer-friendly and environmentally friendly measure that will be well received.”
While there could be a backlash with the iPhone 12 if Apple doesn’t include a charger in the box, it’s likely not going to spark as much controversy as Apple’s move decided to kill the headphone jack four years ago. There was a huge uproar, but eventually Android phone makers did the same.
“It is difficult to know how people will respond, as many of them are emotional,” said Milanesi. “Logically thinking that the headphone jack has a more material impact for people who had wired headphones that they wanted to use.”
How Apple could ease pain
If the rumors are true, there is likely to be at least an initial controversy over the iPhone 12 without including a charger. But that could be offset by a cheaper price for the iPhone 12.
“Most buyers will already have a charger, so I’m not sure it’s a big problem, especially if Apple is showing a competitive price on the 5G model,” Milanesi said.
However, if you want to charge at the fastest speed, you will likely have to end up with a 20 watt charger. The current 18-watt fast charger for iPhone costs $ 29, so we would expect the price of the new charger to be in the same stadium.
To ease the hassle of not including a charger, Apple may offer some sort of package or discount to at least get over the initial reaction.
“Offering a discount on the purchase of a new charger would be very helpful,” Urbani said. “Only those who really need a new charger will use the discount, and thus help Apple protect the environment and cut costs.”
Ultimately, Apple’s brand strength will likely be able to withstand any storm that comes with dropping the iPhone 12 charger. But you’ll have to do a good job of sending a message as to why it’s moving to make it look as a benefit to the land and consumers rather than a new way to increase the company’s margins.
