The consumer protection regulator in Brazil (Procon-SP) wants to impose another fine on Apple because the new iPhone 13 is reaching consumers without a charger.
See also: iPhone 13 doesn't show battery percentage in the status bar
The same thing happened with the release of the iPhone 12. Brazil had again made the same move and the company was forced to offer a charger to anyone who asked.
With the launch of the new iPhone 13 series, Brazil intends to fine Apple again.
“The consumer already has the expectation that they will receive the charger along with the smartphone (iPhone 13),” Procon-SP executive director Fernando CapezTechTudo. “Breaking this routine can also imply an unjustified price increase.”
See also: Apple: Your Apple Watch may not unlock your iPhone 13
“For example, you sell the device with a charger at X price,” he continued. “Then, you sell just the device at X price, which means the company has increased the price.”
“We can compare it to buying in a supermarket,” said Capez. “The customer bought a 400-gram product for R$20. Now, the same product continues to cost R$20, but at 300 grams. The company can reduce the quantity, but it is necessary to have this information on the package so that the consumer knows.”
See also: iPhone 13 screen: Only Apple can change it if you want Face ID to work
Apple states on its website that a charger is not included, but according to Brazilian authorities, that is not enough. Capez argues that local consumer law requires that this information be easily visible and not “camouflaged.”
Procon-SP had previously accused Samsung of violating the same consumer law, but did not impose a fine. Capez says Samsung avoided the fine by agreeing to provide free chargers for the Galaxy S21.
TechTudo's report is unclear on how Samsung avoided the fine, while Apple accepted a fine while also providing Brazilian citizens with free chargers for the iPhone 12.
Source: AppleInsider
