So, folks, grab your wallets and charge up those wallets, because Apple’s just pulled a fast one on us! The iPad mini 7 has hit the shelves, and what’s this? No USB-C charger in the box?! It’s like buying a sandwich but being told you can only have the lettuce. Just lettuce. Apple seems to think we’re all swimming in chargers, while I’m still searching for my left sock from last month. Seriously, I must have enough cables to wire a small country! But hey, it’s all for a good cause, right? The environment!
Now, this little twist is all about those EU e-waste regulations. Apparently, they’ve charmed Apple like a snake charmer at a fair. The EU says, “Less waste, more standardization”—and Apple, ever the obedient child, says, “Yes, sir! Right away!” So, in the spirit of reducing electronic waste, they’ve decided to toss that pesky charger out of the iPad entry-level package, but only in Europe. Let’s be honest, if you’re planning to reduce waste, starting with the chargers makes sense. They’ve become like rabbits—multiplying everywhere you look!
However, here’s where it gets a little cheeky—Apple’s lowered the price of the entry-level iPad! From a cool 439 euros down to 409 euros. It’s like a magician pulling a rabbit out of a hat, only instead of a fluffy creature, you’re getting a few euros back, and instead of a shiny gadget, you’re left wondering how many chargers you already own. “Ta-da! Here’s a little discount to soothe your pain… just don’t ask where your charger is, yeah?”
Now, the iPad in Europe was made famous for coming with a USB-C charger, so what will all the hipsters do now? Will they get into a frenzy posting about it on social media? “I bought a device without a charger, and I feel *so* betrayed!” Honestly, I can hear the Instagram influencers crying already. But Apple’s trying to assure us that most users have chargers stacking up like trophies from their past paranormal gadget hunts. So, they think we can manage without one… and they might have a point. If your home is anything like mine, you could open a charging station and take donations!
As we slowly let this decision simmer, is it a win for the environment or just a cunning marketing tactic with a cheeky price drop? I mean, why give away chargers when you can sell more at a fancy price? It’s not like they don’t have a recovery plan—gotta keep that Apple ecosystem juicy, right? Just don’t expect them to stop the trend; this looks like the new norm where they throw out the chargers like last week’s leftovers. And if you think about it, it’s almost poetic—they’re moving towards a more sustainable future while subtly asking us to empty our pockets just a bit more.
So, is it a hit or a miss? In the great words of one of those wise philosophers, “It’s complicated.” Just keep those e-waste bins ready, folks! And if you’ve still got a charger lying around, treasure it like it’s gold, because who knows how long it’ll last in this brave new Apple world?
What’s next? The iPhone might not even come with a screen! Just a hunk of metal that your friends can admire from across the street while you rely on your telepathic abilities to call them up. Stay tuned, and don’t forget to keep your chargers close and your pocketbooks open!
After the recent launch of the new iPad mini 7Apple decided to no longer include the USB-C charger in your package iPad entry-level sold in Europe. This change has already occurred for the models iPad Pro e iPad Air earlier this year, now brings its entire iPad range in line with this new policy, which appears to respond to upcoming EU e-waste regulations.
In exchange, Apple lowered the price of this model.
Since its launch in 2022, the entry-level iPad in Europe has been sold with a USB-C charger in the box. However, with the introduction of the new iPad mini 7 last Tuesday, which doesn’t include a charger, the base iPad would remain the only device in the line to provide it. Now, even for this model, Apple has decided to include only the USB-C cable.
This move appears to be closely linked to European regulations that aim to reduce electronic waste, imposing a standard USB-C charger for all electronic devices.
Along with removing the charger, Apple also has the price of the entry-level iPad has been lowered in several European countries, including Italy. The device, which previously cost 439 eurois now available at 409 eurowith a reduction of 30 euro.
This decision by Apple to standardize the entire iPad range, removing the charger from the package, follows a trend already adopted for iPhone and other devices from the Cupertino company. The goal is to reduce the environmental impact linked to electronic waste, in particular chargers, which users often already have in abundance. By reducing prices in Europe, Apple seems to want to balance the value perceived by users, although it remains to be seen how this decision will be received by consumers.
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