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iPhone 12 Models Won't Include Charger in Box, Power Adapter Sold Separately

macrumors.com

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Re: iPhone 12 Models Won't Include Charger in Box, Power Adapter Sold Separately

#21

Post by tokamak-teapot »

Cthulhu_ wrote: post #8
JamesBaxter wrote: post #7

I suppose that if you’re upgrading to iPhone and already have one it is a waste to give you yet another charger. I wonder how much energy is used creating these cables that often go straight in a drawer because the previous cable is already conveniently plugged into the wall.

Yeah in theory it's a defensible move, because we're moving towards standardized charging ports. However, Apple is the only one that's being weird about it, introducing the Lightning connector instead of e.g. switching to micro-USB. USB-C was still a while out when Lightning was introduced. But honestly they have no excuse to not adopt Micro-USB or USB-C.

As an iPhone owner, I don’t want USB-C. Not yet, anyway. The reason is that I don’t know how to be confident that a particular cable and power source will charge my phone well and won’t fry it.

I expect Apple knows its customers would like to have confidence about this and that’s why they are holding off.

With Lightning, I have been happy enough to plug into various non-Apple-brand chargers with USB-A sockets. Maybe charging might not be as fast as with an official charger. But it will likely work and I don’t expect the possibility of damage.

Re: iPhone 12 Models Won't Include Charger in Box, Power Adapter Sold Separately

#22

Post by jhwhite »

Hm. I switched from iPhone to Android almost 3 years ago and I'm thinking about going back to iPhone in the fall. I don't have any of my old chargers but this might not be a bad idea. If they deduct the cost of the charger that's money I can put toward a longer cable. I would always buy longer charging cables anyway.

Re: iPhone 12 Models Won't Include Charger in Box, Power Adapter Sold Separately

#23

Post by m0xte »

ralfd wrote: post #13
Cthulhu_ wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah in theory it's a defensible move, because we're moving towards standardized charging ports. However, Apple is the only one that's being weird about it, introducing the Lightning connector instead of e.g. switching to micro-USB. USB-C was still a while out when Lightning was introduced. But honestly they have no excuse to not adopt Micro-USB or USB-C.

Lightning is symmetric, Micro USB is not. Lightning is smaller than USB-C.

Also from experience Lightning is a hell of a lot more robust than both.

Re: iPhone 12 Models Won't Include Charger in Box, Power Adapter Sold Separately

#24

Post by dingaling »

JamesBaxter wrote: post #7

I suppose that if you’re upgrading to iPhone and already have one it is a waste to give you yet another charger. I wonder how much energy is used creating these cables that often go straight in a drawer because the previous cable is already conveniently plugged into the wall.

Most people sell or trade-in their old phones, however, and include the OEM charger to maximise their value.

I recently had to buy three expensive aftermarket chargers because we just didn't have enough OEM ones in the house.

Re: iPhone 12 Models Won't Include Charger in Box, Power Adapter Sold Separately

#25

Post by janekm »

leadingthenet wrote: post #18
sk0g wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

And what would these benefits of lightning vs USB C be, aside from being endorsed and embedded in the Apple ecosystem?

I note how you didn’t ask about micro-USB, because you know it to be inferior. Well, first of all, lighting predates usb-c by a few years, so it’s an advantage that we thankfully haven’t had to endure micro-USB in that time. Then, lightning is a male connector which makes it more robust, compared to the female connector in USB-C. I’ve had multiple USB-C cables break when inserted a bit too aggressively, which has not…

Well... I have an iPhone7 with an unreliable worn-out Lightning port sitting next to me, so I can kind of see the value in having the cable wear out rather than the socket in the phone...

Re: iPhone 12 Models Won't Include Charger in Box, Power Adapter Sold Separately

#26

Post by panpanna »

vbezhenar wrote: post #17

That's good as long as they'll reduce price for a power adapter cost. Also I'd happily buy iPhone without headphones with reduced price.

The problem is that it probably costs apple $3 to include one but it will cost you $50 to buy one separately. So people will start using cheap garbage adapters from AliExpress and burn down their house.

IIRC, HTC had a similar idea 5-6 years ago, but they would give you a charger for free if you asked them.

Re: iPhone 12 Models Won't Include Charger in Box, Power Adapter Sold Separately

#27

Post by TulliusCicero »

leadingthenet wrote: post #18
sk0g wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

And what would these benefits of lightning vs USB C be, aside from being endorsed and embedded in the Apple ecosystem?

I note how you didn’t ask about micro-USB, because you know it to be inferior. Well, first of all, lighting predates usb-c by a few years, so it’s an advantage that we thankfully haven’t had to endure micro-USB in that time. Then, lightning is a male connector which makes it more robust, compared to the female connector in USB-C. I’ve had multiple USB-C cables break when inserted a bit too aggressively, which has not…

I have the opposite problem. None of my USB-C cables ever seem to break, whereas a whole bunch of lightning cables of ours have broke, either fully or partially (partially being when one side works because of pressure or something).

Re: iPhone 12 Models Won't Include Charger in Box, Power Adapter Sold Separately

#28

Post by ksec »

lewisflude wrote: post #6

Makes sense! Many consumers likely already have a USB-C charger, so splitting it up gives people flexibility. I will be interested to see how they communicate this to prevent first time iPhone users being left without a charging cable/power brick.

>Makes sense! Many consumers likely already have a USB-C charger

I am willing to bet money the overwhelming majority consumer dont have USB-C chargers, only USB-A.

Re: iPhone 12 Models Won't Include Charger in Box, Power Adapter Sold Separately

#29

Post by dmurray »

vbezhenar wrote: post #17

That's good as long as they'll reduce price for a power adapter cost. Also I'd happily buy iPhone without headphones with reduced price.

How would you know if they reduce the price? If it's priced at $994 and they say they took $5 off for the charger, that's OK, but what if it's priced at $899 and they don't break down the price?

Re: iPhone 12 Models Won't Include Charger in Box, Power Adapter Sold Separately

#30

Post by darkwater »

m0xte wrote: post #23
ralfd wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Lightning is symmetric, Micro USB is not. Lightning is smaller than USB-C.

Also from experience Lightning is a hell of a lot more robust than both.

I've witnessed at least 4 original Apple Lightining cables working with a device and not working with another one.
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