Brazil's Decision to Prohibit the Sale of iPhones Without Chargers will be Challenged by Apple

Selling iPhones Without Chargers, according to Brazil's Ministry of Justice, is anti-consumer.

The Brazilian Ministry of Justice has issued a decree prohibiting Apple from marketing iPhones without chargers there. It also ordered the cancellation of the iPhone 12's registration with the nation's national telecoms agency Anatel and slapped the tech giant with a punishment of 12.275 million Brazilian reals ($2.38 million). With the debut of the iPhone 12 in 2020, Apple discontinued including chargers with its mobile devices, citing environmental concerns.

The business claimed that by selling gadgets without power adapters, the number of production steps required for each unit would be reduced. Apple statedthat the decision to cease packaging chargers will save 861,000 tons of copper, zinc, and tin in its 2021 Environmental Progress Report. Additionally, being able to ship devices more effectively would lower the company's carbon dioxide emissions because shipping pallets could hold up to 70% more iPhone 12 boxes.

Brazilian officials rejected Apple's justifications and claimed that the tech giant should have done more to protect the environment, like enabling USB-C charging on its iPhones. Authorities have determined that selling smartphones without a power adaptor constitutes a "deliberate practice of discrimination against customers."

Following the conclusion of the ministry's inquiry, which began in December, this choice was made. Additionally, Apple was previously penalized by the Brazilian state of Sao Paulo with a fine of 10.55 million reals ($1.92 million at the time) for selling iPhones without a charger.

Apple told Reutersthat it would continue to cooperate with authorities in order to "resolve their concerns," although it has not yet removed its more recent iPhone models from its Brazilian online store. The news agency was also informed by a representative that Apple would challenge the ministry's judgement. According to them, their consumers are aware of the numerous possibilities for connecting and charging their devices because they have already won multiple court decisions in Brazil on the subject. It's important to note that Samsung partnered with So Paulo authorities to include a complimentary charger with pre-orders for the Samsung Galaxy S21. It is unclearif the tech titan would follow suit with its upcoming iPhone, which is anticipated to be unveiled later today.