EU Commission proposes removing chargers from all smartphone boxes

24 September 2021
Fast-charging information would also need to be clearly provided on all electronics sold in the EU.

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  • R
  • Roxy K22
  • 7jW
  • 24 Sep 2021

Right now I am using xiaomi 33 watt charger and before that all my smartphones were Samsung or LG made so 15 watt charger was enough. And I was using 15 watt charger provided with Samsung galaxy note 4 for last 6 years, that charger is still workable but I put it in Redmi note 10 Pro box. In the mean time I get 6-7 different chargers in the box with Galaxy tab a 10.1, Lg v30 (18 watt charger) galaxy m30s, galaxy 7(2015), redmi note 9 pro ( 2nd hand phone), basic samsung metro phone etc. I have used more phones than this list. Recently I was a video on youtube about shortage of semiconductors and realized how much sen) semiconductor materials are used to make chargers, which we even don't use. I think this is a good move by EU. I hope smartphones will be cheaper because of less provided items in the Box.

    • ?
    • Anonymous
    • 7X1
    • 24 Sep 2021

    RIP Inbox Charger..... hello chargers worth $$$$$$

      • ?
      • Anonymous
      • nYE
      • 24 Sep 2021

      EskeRahn, 24 Sep 2021I see it the other way round: Why do we have to pay extra ... moreThe phones will not get cheaper when the charger is gone.

      The price stays same or goes up, I mean think about this the S21 came with the phone and cable and nothing more.

      It lacks microsd and 3.5mm jack too.

      Then there is the S10(e), it has cable, charger and headphones in box, it also has 3.5mm jack and microsd slot.

      And both were lower priced than the S21, at least in my country.

      So companies remove stuff and you as a customer pay more, really you don't think they would let slip even more margin on their phones?

      And this is Samsung, I am not even bothering to make this list even longer including other brands.

      (meanwhile my LG G8S came out with charging cable, brick, earphones, case, cleaning cloth, it also has a 3.5mm jack and microsd slot)

      And guess what LG died, because most people will gladly pay more for less as long they get their popular Samsung/iPhone.

      And especially when looking at cheaper models, even from Samsung you can immediately see that a phone like the A52 for example has all the stuff that was the norm on high end phones in the past.

      So no don't expect phones to get cheaper because they lack a charger in box, expect they get even more expensive.

        • A
        • Anonym
        • Lci
        • 24 Sep 2021

        EskeRahn, 24 Sep 2021I see it the other way round: Why do we have to pay extra ... moreThat's not how economic forces work. You are already used to paying X for a new phone. The fact a small Y was removed from the package does not void the fact you used to spend X for a new phone -- ergo the price will remain at X, unless demand falls.

        Same thing with taxes. Raising or creating a new tax makes prices go high, because sellers can state a clear reason to why it must go up. However, lowering taxes does not lower the price unless demand falls, because you were already used to spending X therefore can still afford to pay X (and thus increase the profit margin).

          • D
          • AnonD-1018819
          • M}3
          • 24 Sep 2021

          Strawhat, 24 Sep 2021In 2023 apple will invent usb c on iphone and airpod Welco... moreThis comment is ironic given that Lightning (2012) was released to the users before USB-C (2016) and was first modern reversible connector in existence... Apple welcomes you to year 2012 and presents you iPhone 5 with Lightning connector... Galaxy S5 at the same time still had microUSB connector. So much for all you "experts" here...

            Overall I support this decision, because I have some number of chargers and each is for another device. But there is one unsolved problem of this new "supercharging 120w" bricks. Should they stop their discoveries?

              • A
              • Anonym
              • Lci
              • 24 Sep 2021

              Anonymous, 24 Sep 2021Idiotic, almost every new phone has an improved charger. No... moreIndeed. The thing is, now the EC can do what they are best at, create a new tax speciically for those chargers "to save the environment et al". They are already discussing taxing emails (i.e., each message sent) because "they are bad for the environment", so rest assured there is something already cooked up.

                • R
                • Rkm
                • ypc
                • 24 Sep 2021

                Anonymous, 24 Sep 2021Have fun watching fireworks when you accidentally plug the ... moreThat's the thing. There won't be a puny 5w headphone cable. There will just be 'a cable' that can be used on everything.

                  • ?
                  • Anonymous
                  • nYE
                  • 24 Sep 2021

                  Strawhat, 24 Sep 2021In 2023 apple will invent usb c on iphone and airpod Welco... morePretty sure Apple would gladly remove the charging port fully, because then this law does not apply to them.

                  And guess who will follow, Samsung and after that other brands too.

                  Just look at the microsd/3.5mm situation now, Sony aside all high ends phones that came out this year lack one.

                  Charging port next....

                  (sad times are in front of us)

                    saurabhaj1, 24 Sep 2021EU thinks everybody is rich and every house has 3 or 4 late... moreI see it the other way round:
                    Why do we have to pay extra for buying a new phone with a charge, if we could get it slightly cheaper without.
                    This legislation should help here.

                      Maybe UK leaving the EU wasn't a bad idea

                        • D
                        • AnonD-1018819
                        • M}3
                        • 24 Sep 2021

                        Anonymous, 24 Sep 2021Their lightning cable costs 1/3 of the one from Apple. Qu... moreWhat exactly is the point of your otherwise entirely pointless comment?

                          bilalsadain, 24 Sep 2021That's the average. That means some people will have 1... moreIf I should count each usb charger I got somewhere in a closet, it will be at the least a score...

                            • D
                            • AnonD-1018330
                            • J8U
                            • 24 Sep 2021

                            Also i don't understand how are they saving anything because companies are still producing chargers just they don't include in the box. It's a really lazy way to get money from this whole ,,idea".

                              In 2023 apple will invent usb c on iphone and airpod
                              Welcome to 2016 Apple

                                • ?
                                • Anonymous
                                • 3qx
                                • 24 Sep 2021

                                And what, I'll buy smartphone with support of 120W charging, but I' ll charge it with my existing charger od 33W?! Or buy it separately.... Nonsence

                                  • ?
                                  • Anonymous
                                  • vIg
                                  • 24 Sep 2021

                                  George399, 24 Sep 2021This commissions are where your taxes went And where did your government spend your tax?? Tell me

                                    2.4 billion spend on chargers, from which 2.2 are spend on those cheap 5€ chargers that stop working after a month sold by every gas station, kiosk, market, boutique and so on. they are literally everywhere.

                                      • f
                                      • fren
                                      • KSy
                                      • 24 Sep 2021

                                      what eu should legislate is wireless earphones as it create more waste than charging accessories - they have laws to force manufacturer to repair or change new battery just like phones

                                        • ?
                                        • Anonymous
                                        • M@X
                                        • 24 Sep 2021

                                        Rkm, 24 Sep 2021Why are people moaning about it? The aim is to use a single... moreHave fun watching fireworks when you accidentally plug the puny 5W headphone cable to charge your 90W laptop