Green or Greed: The Impact of an iPhone Box Without a Charger
If there is one constant that all tech enthusiasts can agree on it is that they hate things being taken away. When Android phones started to go away from removable batteries to compete with the iPhone on design, many enthusiasts were up in arms (so much so that articles like this are still a thing). I vividly recall Samsung and LG users complaining when the Galaxy S6 and G6 went to sealed batteries. The same goes for when every company except for LG removed the 3.5mm headphone jack from their flagship phones. As creatures of habit, a swift departure from what we are used to is hard to adjust to immediately. In the case of the headphone jack and removable battery, these were two standards in phones for decades that were suddenly gone. So the consumer was understandably uncomfortable with this change.
It is with this aversion to an immediate change in mind that Apple has announced its smartphone packaging that has been polarizing, to say the least. With the release of the iPhone 12 series, Apple will no longer include Lightning earbuds or a charging wall adapter in the box of the iPhone. The immediate reaction has been a bit mixed on this decision. On one hand, some are suggesting that this is Apple attempting to be eco-friendly and helping to minimize e-waste. On the other hand, some are suggesting that this is Apple prioritizing profits first and looking to make more money off of accessory sales. So who is right? As in most cases, the answer lies somewhere in the middle.
The Environmental Awareness Argument
The pitch that Apple has made to justify this decision is one that after the initial reaction is easy to understand. The company has been doing many initiatives over the years to be more environmentally conscious to be completely carbon neutral by 2030. The company has taken measures to use renewable energy sources in its stores and offices and has also been using recycled aluminum for products for a few years.
Taking away the charging block from the box on iPhones is the latest step in this effort. According to Apple, this has two benefits. The first…
