- Apple's new iPad Pro and iPad Air models skip chargers in EU and UK, sparking debate.
- Environmental concerns drive Apple's decision, but critics question its practicality.
- Consumers face inconvenience and added expenses, raising fairness concerns.
Apple recently presented new Apple iPad Pro and iPad Air models which created much buzz in the world of high-tech. However, an innovation that is worthwhile to be mentioned is the missing feature from the box, which is the charger.
New Apple iPad Pro and iPad Air Omit Chargers in EU and UK, Sparking Consumer Debate
GSMArena reports that this twist to the norm has caused much curiosity among EU and UK consumers as well as industry observers which fueled the discussion. While Apple opted to omit the charger from the packaging of its latest tablets, a similar decision was made with phones of the previous generation.
The point raised by the tech corporation encapsulates the environmental issues that this electronic waste is posing. Through this move, Apple tries to mitigate the carbon footprint produced by the manufacture and supply of the devices.
Nevertheless, the application potential and effectiveness of this measure have had to face scrutiny and controversy. The lack of a charger in the EU and UK markets is a withdrawal of the typical understanding of acquiring an entire set of accessories when buying the products.
On the contrary, the consumers will have to continue using a USB-C charger from their previous device or buy one separately. Although this goes perfectly with Apple’s green vision, consumers who don’t have the correct chargers will face the added burden of purchasing the accessory.
The critics of Apple’s decision clarify the paradoxical aspect of their approach. Despite the declaration that they might be positive for the environment, the packing waste from the mandatory purchase of chargers can have a counter-effect by increasing the packaging waste.
In addition, the need for consumers to solely source chargers on their own negatively questions fairness and accessibility concerning the less privileged people who don’t have immediate reach to compatible chargers or have the financial capabilities to purchase them separately.
Financially speaking, Apple will gain from this strategic direction as the charging cable pack will enable it to cut down costs of production. However, how much is passed on to the consumers is not clear yet. Besides, stakeholders such as Apple will also take into account the long-term effect on consumer perception and brand loyalty.
Thus, the final word is that while Apple’s exclusion of chargers from the boxes of its new Apple iPad Pro and iPad Air seems justified under its wider environmental aspirations, the decision nevertheless received severe criticism and got people to scrutinize the move. It is also critical to evaluate the practicality of this approach, its environmental effectiveness, and other potential outcomes within the tech community and outside of it.
