This article explores why more smartphones in 2025 are shipping without chargers, how this trend affects consumers globally and in specific regions like Europe and North America, and whether the motivations are truly ecological or just profit-driven. Ideal for readers seeking clarity, industry insights, and practical advice.
Ecology or Profit?
This analysis explains why mobile phone manufacturers are removing chargers from product boxes, how it impacts consumers globally, and the broader implications for users and the environment.
Meta Description: More and more phones are shipping without chargers in the box. Is it about protecting the planet or boosting manufacturers’ profits? Get the facts and make an informed decision.
Did you just buy a new phone and realize there’s no charger in the box? Have you also wondered – are manufacturers truly protecting us, or are they just making extra money? In the world of smartphones, few changes have sparked as much debate as the disappearance of chargers from retail packaging. What was once standard is now a luxury that comes at an extra cost. Manufacturers claim the motive is ecological – reducing electronic waste. Consumers, on the other hand, often feel it’s a pure strategy for additional profit. Where does the truth lie? Let’s take a detailed look.
📦 History of the Trend – From Apple to Other Brands
The trend of removing chargers began with Apple in 2020, with the launch of the iPhone 12 series. The company explained that most users already own chargers and headphones, and that omitting them reduces environmental impact by shrinking packaging size and carbon emissions. (Read more about Apple’s announcement here).
Other giants soon followed suit. Samsung adopted the practice, first with its premium models (starting with the Galaxy S21 series), and then the practice extended to some mid-range models. You can find an example of Samsung’s decision here. Xiaomi also experimented with this idea, offering customers the choice of whether they wanted a charger in the box or not, although later most of their models still came with a charger in certain markets.
Today, the scenario is clear: buying a new flagship or even some mid-range models often means you won’t find a charging adapter in the box. Instead, there’s only a USB-C cable. This means that many phones without adapters are becoming the new reality.
🌍 Environmental Arguments – Is It Really About Protecting the Planet?
Manufacturers, led by Apple, emphasize that omitting chargers drastically reduces electronic waste (e-waste) and carbon emissions. The arguments are as follows:
- E-waste reduction: It is claimed that users already have old chargers that would otherwise end up in a drawer or landfill.
- Smaller packaging: Without chargers, phone boxes are significantly smaller. This allows more devices to be transported simultaneously, reducing the number of shipping flights and trucks, and thus CO2 emissions.
- Raw material savings: Fewer components mean less consumption of resources for production.
However, critics dispute these environmental arguments. Many new users (e.g., those switching from Android to iPhone, or vice versa, or buying their first smartphone) do not have compatible chargers. This means they have to buy a new adapter, often an original one, which comes in its own packaging. Does this truly reduce the total number of chargers and packaging produced? The question remains open. The concept of eco-friendly phones is more than just packaging.
💰 Financial Impact – How Much More Are Consumers Really Paying?
There is no doubt that omitting chargers brings significant savings to manufacturers. The wholesale price of a single charger is negligible compared to the price of the phone, but when multiplied by tens, or even hundreds of millions of units sold annually, the amounts become astronomical.
These savings are rarely passed on to the end-user in the form of a lower phone price. On the contrary, a buyer who does not own a suitable adapter must purchase it separately, at a retail price that is many times higher than the production cost. For example, a buyer who purchases an iPhone 15 and a 20W charger might spend an additional $30, which is approximately 5% of the phone’s price. The situation is similar with Samsung and other brands. Thus, a phone without an adapter means an additional expense from the start.
🔌 Charger Compatibility – Problems with Different Standards
Although the USB-C charger has become the standard for most new phones, compatibility and charging speed issues are still present. Not all USB-C chargers are the same. Older chargers may not have enough power (e.g., 5W or 10W) for modern fast charging, resulting in much longer charging times.
Standards like Power Delivery (PD) are crucial for efficient fast charging. If your old charger does not support the PD standard with adequate power (e.g., 20W, 25W, 45W, or even more, depending on the phone), you will not be able to utilize the full potential of your new device’s fast charging. This practically forces users, in addition to the phone without an adapter, to buy a new fast charger. More about the USB-C standard can be read here (Consider adding an internal link here to an article on USB-C standards if available on your site).
⚖️ EU Regulatory Framework – Global Impact?
The European Union has actively worked on standardizing chargers. From the end of 2024, USB-C will become the mandatory universal charger law for all small and medium-sized portable electronic devices, including mobile phones, tablets, and cameras. The goal is to reduce e-waste and make life easier for consumers. Read more about the EU law here.
While this law directly applies to EU member states, its influence extends globally. Given the size of the European market, manufacturers are likely to adapt their production and packaging to comply with EU regulations, meaning that USB-C standardization will likely spread to other markets worldwide. This implies that, regardless of whether a charger in the box is included, the cable standard will be universal, which should theoretically make it easier to find a compatible adapter. However, it does not resolve the question of whether manufacturers will continue to ship phones without chargers.
🎯 Conclusion: Ecology or Profit?
The practice of selling phones without chargers is complex. While the environmental arguments sound noble, the financial benefits for manufacturers are undeniable. For consumers, this often means an additional cost and potential confusion about which USB-C charger they truly need.
Ultimately, if you already own a compatible and powerful enough charger, the absence of an adapter from the box might not bother you. However, if you are a new user, switching from an older standard, or simply want to utilize all the fast-charging capabilities, you will have to spend extra money. Is it about protecting the planet or greater profit? It’s likely a combination of both, but with an emphasis on the latter, at least from the perspective of the average consumer.
(Consider adding 1-2 graphs or infographics here, e.g., “Packaging Evolution: 2015-2025” or “Charger Price by Brand” to visually represent the data.)
❓ FAQ – Phones Without Chargers
Why do phones no longer come with a charger?
Manufacturers claim it’s for environmental reasons (reducing e-waste and CO2 emissions) and that most users already own suitable chargers.
Do manufacturers really save the planet?
While there is some environmental benefit through smaller packaging and a reduction in the number of chargers produced, many critics argue that the primary motive is financial savings and additional profit through selling chargers separately.
How much does an original charger cost if I buy it separately?
The price of original chargers varies depending on the brand and wattage, but typically ranges from $20 to $50 or more. Non-original but certified chargers may be slightly cheaper.
Is there a law regulating box contents?
Currently, there is no universal law regulating the mandatory contents of a phone box regarding chargers. However, the EU’s universal charger law (coming into effect at the end of 2024) will indirectly influence the global supply.
How do I know which charger I need?
It’s best to check your phone’s fast charging specifications (e.g., 20W, 25W, 45W) and look for a charger that supports that standard (usually USB Power Delivery – PD) with adequate power. Original chargers are always a safe choice, but there are also quality certified alternatives.