Earphones and Chargers Removed from iPhone 12 Package
"Cost Savings on Accessories as 5G Component Production Costs Rise"
Separate Accessory Purchases Increase Product Packaging Waste
[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] Apple’s decision to exclude power adapters and earphones from the iPhone 12 series packaging is being criticized as driven more by cost-cutting than environmental protection.
On the 18th (local time), IT specialist media The Verge pointed out, "Excluding chargers and wired earphones from Apple’s iPhone 12 package may benefit the business, but it is hard to see it as beneficial to the planet," adding, "While the company’s costs will decrease, consumers will have to purchase these separately, which reduces the environmental benefits."
There is also analysis that the production cost increased during the launch of the first 5G iPhone, and Apple seized the 5G transition as an opportunity to cut costs. Angelo Zino, senior analyst at CFRA Research, explained, "Apple promoted an environmentally friendly rule, but the cost-cutting move is also good for the company’s finances," adding, "The 5G frequency components included in the iPhone 12 are 30-35% more expensive than the previous model, so Apple tried to reduce costs in other areas."
When iPhone users additionally purchase wireless earphones like AirPods, Apple’s profits increase further. Gene Munster, partner at Loup Ventures, said, "Total revenue per phone could increase by more than 1%. Assuming 5% of the 217 million iPhone buyers in 2018 purchased AirPods, Apple would earn an additional $700 million in revenue."
Another reason why environmental protection is ultimately just a pretext is that waste may increase as consumers who bought iPhones purchase separate chargers and earphones. Buying earphones and chargers separately generates more packaging waste during shipping than including them in the package.
Apple only included a USB-C to Lightning cable in the iPhone 12 package. Apple only provided a power adapter compatible with this cable for the iPhone 11 Pro or Max. When iPhone users who used previous models purchase the iPhone 12, they must either buy an additional charger that supports USB-C type or use an old cable (USB-A to Lightning) and adapter. The price of the 20W USB-C power adapter sold by Apple Korea is 25,000 KRW.
The Verge explained, "If iPhone 12 users buy Apple’s charger, it will add to Apple’s carbon footprint, and if they buy chargers from other companies, it will add to those companies’ carbon footprints, so overall carbon emissions will not decrease," adding, "This will benefit accessory manufacturers selling USB-C type chargers."
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