As you know, Apple decided not to include the power adapter and wired EarPods in the box with the new 5G iPhone 12 models. That’s also the case for older iPhone models that are still being sold, including the iPhone 11, iPhone XR, and iPhone SE (2020). Apple claims that This is being done as a measure to protect the environment, as the production of fewer adapters will reduce the amount of carbon emissions equal to the amount saved by taking 450,000 cars off the road in a single year. It will also allow Apple to reduce the size of the boxes in which iPhones are packed. This will result in 70% more product capacity on a single pallet.
Samsung mocks Apple, but leaves room for Apple to get revenge
Apple has already produced more than 2 billion power bricks over the years along with 700 million corded EarPods. Those who are mostly skeptical might say that Apple is doing this to drive sales of new power adapters and EarPods. Heck, some consumers may turn to wireless AirPods instead (much more expensive than EarPods). Even with Apple slashing the price of the new 20W charger and EarPods from $ 10 to $ 19, the truth is that Apple is poised to make this a delicious money grab for them, as most Apple fans will buy a new charger and a couple of EarPods anyway, even if they have old ones lying around.
Samsung mocks Apple’s decision to ship new iPhone models without a charger in the box
Samsung decided to take this opportunity to make fun of Apple for removing the two accessories from the iPhone case. On Facebook, Samsung posted a photo of a Galaxy power adapter stating that the accessory is “included with your Galaxy.” But Samsung could end up eating your words. Over the summer, it was speculated that Sammy was thinking of shipping the Galaxy S21 series without a power brick. At the time, Samsung said that, like Apple, it had shipped so many chargers that it wouldn’t need to include a new one in the box. And this wouldn’t be the first time Samsung has stuck its tongue out at Apple only to have it almost bite off.
Back in 2016, rumors had Apple remove the 3.5mm headphone port from the iPhone 7, but even before that series was introduced, Samsung used the unwrapping of the Galaxy Note 7 to snap some photos at Apple. Samsung’s then product strategy and marketing leader Justin Denison, speaking about the Galaxy Note 7, said, “You know what else it comes with? An audio jack. I’m just saying.” Of course, Apple got the last laugh when the Galaxy Note 7 ended up as a great tool for making smores. And not long after, Samsung followed Apple and dropped the 3.5mm port before bringing it back on certain models.
Samsung went beyond the 3.5mm jack with its Facebook post today. We heard all summer long that Apple was going to include a 120Hz refresh rate on some of its new phones. This seemed to make sense as the ProMotion displays on the iPad Pro also refresh 120 times per second. But 120Hz wasn’t an option for the 2020 iPhones. Hell, not even a 90Hz refresh rate was in sight; As a result, Samsung had the opportunity to rub it in Apple’s face. The Korean manufacturer said today on Facebook: “Your Galaxy offers you what you are looking for. From the most basic as a charger, to the best camera, battery, performance, memory and even 120Hz display in a smartphone.”
So we have to wonder if Samsung’s decision to hit Apple for removing the charger from iPhone cases will end up hurting Samsung in the long run. If the latter decides to do the same, which is entirely plausible, you know that Apple will retaliate. And just when other phone makers started removing the 3.5mm port from their phones after the Apple rumor (if the memory doesn’t work, the Moto Z Force was actually the first phone to get by without the port), many other companies will also start leaving the charger out of their phone cases.
