Apple sues in China over iPhone chargers not included

Apple has already launched the iPhone 13 line globally, but it looks like the iPhone 12 is now causing problems for the company as it is being sued in China. Vice reported that a group of university students filed a lawsuit against the company for not providing chargers inside the iPhone 12 box. Previously, with every purchase of an iPhone, users received a charging box and a pair of EarPods in the box. But since last year, citing concerns about the environmental impact of accessories, Apple has decided to ship the iPhone 12 without a charger. While many people have criticized the move with some pretty strong arguments, the company continues to sell the iPhone 13 without a charger this year.

In China, one of the largest smartphone markets in the world, Apple is facing a heat wave. According to a report by the Shanghai Law Journal, students in Beijing and Shanghai have challenged in court the company’s claim that not having a charger in the iPhone box would reduce carbon emissions and the use of precious materials, given that consumers already have too many adapters. The students demanded for the company to provide an iPhone 12 Pro Max charger purchased by one student, pay 100 yuan for breach of contract and cover legal costs.

The students demanded that the company provide an iPhone 12 Pro Max charger, pay 100 yuan for breach of contract, and cover legal costs.

In an online hearing at the Beijing Internet Court, a student claimed that the USB-C to Lightning cable included with the iPhone 12 does not support other chargers on the market. Thus, he could not charge his phone, as advertised by Apple on its website. The students who filed the lawsuit also argued that the main reason the company is so concerned about the environmental impact is nothing less than a reason to promote its MagSafe chargers.

Many people now support students who advocate for the interests of consumers. While some people are optimistic and think that Apple may be forced to ship chargers in a box, others believe that Apple may be charging extra without informing consumers. In Europe, as environmental concerns rise, lawmakers are forcing Apple to embrace USB-C by ditching the Lightning port. In March, Brazil’s consumer protection regulator fined Apple for not including a charger in the iPhone 12 box, and Apple had to pay that hefty $2 million fine.