Apple and Samsung fined tens of trillions for selling iPhone without a charger, here's the reason
5/23/2022
Since the 2020 iPhone 12 series, Apple has started selling iPhones without chargers and wired earphones.
When asked why, Apple argued that the smaller box size could contain 70% more when shipped.
Apple reasoned that the strategy would reduce annual carbon emissions by 2 million metric tons, the equivalent of emissions from 500,000 cars on the road.
But now Apple and Samsung have been fined millions of dollars in Brazil, because they don't include chargers in their smartphone sales packages.
But Apple will also benefit from their decision in two ways.
First, the strategy can save money by not including chargers and earphones in the sales box.
Second, Apple will make more money when customers decide to buy the newest and fastest charger for their new iPhone.
And of course, many of those iPhone buyers will end up buying a pair of AirPod earphones. Apple won twice in this regard.
Meanwhile Samsung responded as Samsung always does when Apple makes major changes to its high-end devices.
Initially, Samsung mocked Apple for not including a charger and earphones.
But finally Samsung deleted all their social media posts that were disseminated while making fun of Apple.
Then Samsung began to emulate Apple's strategy of not including a 3.5mm headphone jack since the sale of the iPhone 7.
But last month, a judge in Brazil ruled that Apple should reimburse consumers $1,081 (Rp 15.8 million) because the iPhone it bought did not come with a charger, violating consumer laws in the country.
In particular, Article 39 of the Consumer Code (CDC) in Brazil does prohibit this way of selling.
The law prevents Apple from selling iPhones and chargers in separate transactions.
Samsung is also fined like Apple. Samsung had to pay a fine in Brazil for not putting a charger in the box selling its Galaxy series.
So far according to SamMobile, the consumer protection agency (named Procon) in Sao Paulo Brazil, has fined Apple the equivalent of $2.1 million (Rp 30.7 trillion).
Procon in Fortaleza is suing Apple and Samsung for a fine equivalent to $5.2 million, although it's not clear whether these fines apply to the two manufacturers combined or to each.
From the strategy of selling without chargers and earphones, Apple is reported to have saved more than $6.5 billion (Rp. 95 trillion).
But Samsung and Apple could face even more fines in the future if they insist on selling their devices without chargers and earphones.
There are still more than 900 Procons across Brazil that could open a lawsuit against the two tech giants.
Finally, Samsung made changes to its sales strategy in Brazil to avoid more severe administrative actions later.
Now in Brazil, the Samsung Galaxy A53 is shipped with a charger, whereas in most other countries, it is sold without a charger.
But even though Apple has paid a fine and will be fined again later, Apple is said to still be able to excel in Brazil.
According to a newspaper report earlier this year, sales without chargers and earphones in the box sold the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13, saving Apple $6.5 billion.
While the fine to be paid in Sao Paulo Brazil is $ 2.1 million (Rp 30.7 trillion).
But similar estimates for Samsung have not been calculated.
If consumers need to buy a charger for a new phone, Samsung charges $49.99 from its online store for a 45W wired charger.
As for iPhone consumers who need to purchase a power adapter, a 20W USB-C charger can be purchased for $19.
Note that Apple doesn't include a data cable for the purchase of the $19 charger.
If consumers want a USB-C cable, then they need to add another $19 for a 1 meter cable, or $29 (Rp 424 thousand) for a 2 meter cable.
What do you think?
Was it a clever or cunning strategy from Apple and Samsung? Please write your comments!
