14 DAY TRIAL // Last month, Apple warned users of the iPhone 3G Ultracompact USB Power Adapter that the device was prone to causing electric shock. Consequently, the company urged them to bring their adapters in, with the iPhone in hand, to have them replaced for free. Those who went with the recall program are now reporting that their new adapters have arrived.
According to Apple, the old adapters' prongs could easily break and remain in the power socket. While no injuries had been recorded, Apple decided to answer the issue before anyone got hurt.
“We have received reports of detached blades involving a very small percentage of the adapters sold, but no injuries have been reported,” Apple stated on the Support section of its website. “Customer safety is always Apple’s top priority so [Apple] has voluntarily decided to exchange every ultracompact power adapter for a new redesigned adapter, free of charge.” Apple revealed that faulty ultracompact USB power adapters were those supplied with iPhone 3Gs sold in the US, Japan, Canada, Mexico, and several other Latin-American countries.
Upon receiving the new adapters, users confirmed the green dot distinguishing them from the old ones. A noteworthy aspect was that Apple shipped the new units in very large boxes, getting customers pretty excited about their contents before opening.
Some thought the Ultracompact USB Power Adapter replacement program would affect Apple's sales. However, American Technology Research analyst Shaw Wu assured clients that Apple’s recall was a “minor speedbump” affecting “only a small number of users.” Wu cited supply chain sources as saying there was “little disruption” in sales of the iPhone 3G 8GB. He added that some AT&T stores were actually running dry on supplies. And, while not too many adapters were reported as faulty, it has been revealed that users generally prefer the USB cable to charge their iPhones to a computer.
iPhone 3G Ultracompact USB Power Adapter comparison (new adapter marked with a green dot) Credits: Gizmodo