14 DAY TRIAL // The Chinese version of the iPhone 5 ships with an extra component inside the shipping box that allows for syncing and charging using a traditional Micro USB cable – the Lightning to Micro USB Adapter.
Originally priced at $19.99 in America and €19.99 in Europe, the minute accessory is sold separately in these territories, whether you own an iPhone 5 or not. China, on the other hand, gets it for free.
A report by MIC Gadget confirms that the Chinese version of the handset, slated to go on sale this Friday, comes with the add-on inside the box.
As the photos show, the Lightning to Micro USB Adapter even has a special compartment made for it. Customers needn’t pay extra for the accessory in the country.
The reason remains unknown, and the move is sure to generate some backlash from International buyers who may have found the accessory handy.
For example, Apple customers who only own a single Lightning-enabled device need to carry with them the charging cable should they need to power up a dead iPhone 5.
With China’s included adapter, you only need to find a Micro USB cable wherever you are. And there’s a greater chance of finding a spare Micro USB cable than a Lightning cable.
“Use this adapter to connect an iPhone, iPad, or iPod with Lightning connector to a micro USB cable to sync and charge, or to a compatible micro USB charger to charge your device,” reads Apple’s description on store.apple.com.
The compatibility checklist mentions iPhone 5, iPod touch (fifth generation), iPod nano (seventh generation), iPad (fourth generation), and the iPad mini.
Apple also sells the following accessories for these devices: Lightning to 30-pin Adapter; Lightning to USB Cable; Lightning to 30-pin Adapter with a short cable; Lightning Digital AV Adapter; and Lightning VGA Adapter.
