14 DAY TRIAL // Back in 2016, the debut of the iPhone 7 marked the beginning of a new approach in the mobile industry that eventually left us without a headphone jack on so many devices.
And while some companies are still resisting the change, at least on some models, trying to stick with the 3.5mm audio connector for as long as possible, it’s pretty clear that this port no longer has a future in the mobile world.
Apple described this “innovation” as an act of courage, something that even rivals laughed about at first but which they eventually embraced sooner or later.
The controversial Apple announcements continued a year later, with the iPhone X going live in 2017 with a notch that once again pretty much everybody criticized when the device was first launched. And yet, here are so many brands using a notch these days, as this design approach has become a rather common thing on new-generation smartphones.
And now Apple is getting ready to make another controversial change that many don’t agree with but which at some point in the near future could become the preferred way to go for more and more companies.
This time, however, it’s something that goes away. A charger would no longer be included in the iPhone box, and by the looks of things, the whole thing would start this year with the iPhone 12.
In other words, if you buy the new iPhone, the only way to recharge it is to either use a charger that you already own from an older iPhone or buy one brand-new from Apple. And of course, because improved charging capabilities would be available only with a new charger, spending extra could end up becoming the only way to go for pretty much everybody.
For many, Apple’s strategy isn’t necessarily surprising, but for the rest of the industry, it’s something that could become the long-term approach for many other phone makers.
Samsung is one of the first companies rumored to be looking into offering its high-end devices without a charger in the box, and according to people familiar with the matter, the big honchos at the South Korean company have already discussed this plan. A decision is yet to be made, it seems, but on the other hand, it’s pretty clear that Samsung sees all the benefits of offering a new phone without a charger.
And these start with the actual price that the customer has to pay. Without a charger in the box, a new iPhone, for example, could be offered at the same price as its predecessor despite the added functionality. But because the customer is more or less forced to purchase a charger separately, Apple wouldn’t lose any money, but in fact make some extra dollars by making some people believe that the iPhone prices haven’t changed.
If Samsung goes for the same approach, the whole thing could come into effect beginning with 2021 when the company launches the new Galaxy S21.
And of course, once Apple does the whole thing, it’s all just a matter of time until others go for the same idea, including the likes of LG, OnePlus, and Huawei.
The new iPhone models should see daylight in September, so theoretically, it won’t take long until we find out if Apple again plans to change the mobile world once and for all. In the meantime, expect everybody involved in taking such a decision to remain completely tight-lipped until a smooth transition to a world without chargers included in the box is ensured.