Despite being an expensive product, the iPhone 12 does not include a power adapter in the box. Apple claims that the omission was made strictly for environmental reasons (e.g., to reduce carbon emissions and electronic waste), but like most users, Brazilian consumer protection agency Procon-SP hasn’t been fooled by what appears to be a sly excuse for cost savings.
In a recent statement (via Entrepreneur), the agency confirmed that it had asked Apple for actual evidence as to how the lack of a charger contributes to environmental gain. It also blamed the company for failing to properly market the fact that iPhone 12 models don’t include a charger in the box. (The iPhone 11, XR, and SE models no longer come with a power adapter, either.)
“It is inconsistent to sell the device unaccompanied by the charger, without reviewing the value of the product and without presenting a plan for collecting old devices, recycling etc.,” said Fernando Capez, executive director of Procon-SP. “The chargers should be made available to consumers who order them.”
Procon-SP suggests that Apple could be fined if its supervisory board determines that laws have been violated, but it isn’t clear whether that will be enough to convince the company to start selling iPhones with chargers again.