Recently, Apple released an environmental report, which said: "Power adapters need to use a lot of plastic, copper, tin and zinc and other materials. Since the iPhone12 no longer comes with a charger, an estimated 550,000 tons of copper, tin and zinc have been mined, helping to avoid more than 2 million tons of carbon emissions. ”
The company added: "No longer coming with a power adapter is a bold change for us, but it is a very necessary move for the planet." ”
(Source: Apple)
However, for Apple's statement, most consumers do not seem to agree, and even express dissatisfaction with it.
Some netizens said that Apple's claim that the environmental benefits brought by not sending chargers are completely stealing the concept. Although the phone no longer comes with a charger, it has been produced and sold separately.
Some people are even more blunt: "The ore saved is used to produce it separately!" Apple won this wave of hemp, not only won a good reputation, but also made a lot of money. ”
However, some people also expressed a certain understanding of Apple's measure, saying that there are indeed a large number of chargers in people's hands now, and there is no impact without incident. May not be very friendly to new users.
It is understood that Apple is from 2020 iPhone 12 series no longer comes with the phone charger, but there is a data cable.
Figure | iPhone 12 package content (source: Apple official website)
As you can see, one end of this data cable connecting the phone is Apple's unique Lightning interface, and the other end is the USB-C interface. The charger that Apple came with before the iPhone 12 was a USB-A interface, which did not apply to the data cable. If you want to charge it, you still need to buy a new USB-C interface charger.
(Source: Apple's official website)
Some analysts believe that Apple is nominally for environmental protection, but in fact it is for greater interests. According to statistics, Apple has saved at least 40 billion yuan by canceling accessories such as chargers.
Ben Wood, principal analyst at MARKET RESEARCH FIRM CCS Insight, said the phase-out of chargers and wired headphones is part of a number of environmental initiatives apple is taking. Of course, eliminating chargers is also a way for Apple to reduce costs.
Some environmentalists also believe that Apple's removal of the charger may have little impact on the environment.
The real reason for the cancellation of the charger is not certain, but what is certain is that this is indeed a very cost-effective thing for Apple itself, which can reduce costs, expand profits, and gain a good reputation for environmental protection.
Of course, a series of environmental protection measures made by Apple, such as canceling plastic packaging, using some 100% recyclable parts on products, and increasing the use of clean energy in the production of products, in the context of "double carbon" (carbon peaking, carbon neutrality), this is worth advocating, but taking environmental protection as a marketing gimmick, and even infringing on the rights and interests of users, it is difficult to get the recognition of others.
(Source: Apple's official website)
Some people believe that if Apple really intends to further support the cause of human environmental protection, it should replace the mobile phone charging interface with the unique Lightning to USB-C, which has been widely popularized in the market.
It is understood that in 2021, the European Union (EU) said that it will provide universal interface configurations for various digital products such as smartphones, tablets, and cameras, that is, USB-C ports. In April, the Eu Parliament's Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection overwhelmingly adopted the draft, and if it is approved at the Plenary Meeting in May, the EU government will begin to consider the final legislative issues.
The new rules will ensure that all of a consumer's electronic devices (except for smaller products like smartwatches and health trackers) share a single charger, which will really reduce the amount of e-waste generated.
Previously, Apple said: "We are still worried that strict regulation of only one connector will stifle innovation and cause more pollution, which will harm the rights of consumers in Europe and around the world." ”
Figure | Data cable (Source: Pixabay)
But Thierry Breton, the EU's commissioner for the internal market, refuted Apple's views. "American tech giants have always made the argument that EU laws affect innovation," he said. It's not against innovation, it's for European consumers and not for anyone. ”
It is understood that Apple still insists on using its own Lightning interface, and one reason is that Apple can get huge profits from third-party accessory manufacturers who want to obtain MFi (Made for iPhone/iPad/iPod) certification.
If a consumer buys an accessory that is not certified by Apple and there is a problem with the product, Apple will not warrant it.
However, although consumers have complained about canceling the charger, Apple does not seem to have any intention of making adjustments to this.
In fact, just a few days ago, another piece of news about Apple sparked a widespread discussion.
Since an iPhone buyer complained that there was no charger in the box, a brazilian district court has ordered Apple to compensate the user for nearly 7,000 yuan.
The local judge held that the iPhone charging cable provided by Apple was not suitable for other chargers, and consumers still had to buy additional Apple products, so they needed to compensate users.
In fact, as early as 2021, Apple was fined $2 million for no longer attaching chargers and violating Brazilian consumer protection laws.
It is understood that Apple has been sued in many countries and regions for the charger problem, but only lost in Brazil.
Fernando Capez, executive director of the Brazilian Consumer Protection Commission, said: "Apple needs to understand that Brazil has solid consumer protection laws and institutions that it must respect. ”
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reference:
https://www.laitimes.com/en/article/3lqvi_42fw4.html
https://www.airvers.com/apple-says-it-has-saved-550000-tons-of-ore-by-not-sending-chargers/
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/de/press-room/20220412IPR27115/common-charger-meps-agree-on-proposal-to-reduce-electronic-waste
https://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/apple-order-compensate-iphone-buyer-no-charger-in-box-brazil/