OnePlus phones in some regions aren't getting in-box chargers (Update: Common Charger Directive)

Update, June 26, 2024 (10:08 AM ET): OnePlus has provided us with a statement highlighting the EU Directive 2022/2380, aka the Common Charger Directive, as its guidance for not including a charger with the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite.

OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite does not include a charger in alignment with EU Directive 2022/2380, known as the Common Charger Directive. This directive encourages that the sale of devices in the EU should ideally be without chargers included in their box to reduce e-waste. Users who require a charger will be able to purchase a matching one from OnePlus.com.

However, this does not explain the removal of chargers from certain OnePlus flagship phones in other regions like Malaysia unless there is legislation to that effect over there too.

Original article, June 25, 2024 (04:39 AM ET): The OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite launched yesterday, bringing some notable upgrades to the brand’s budget phone family. We already noted that the phone has a smaller battery in Europe, but it turns out Europeans are missing out on another feature.

We noticed in the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite review guide for India that the phone is listed with a charger. True enough, our Indian review unit arrived with a bundled adapter. By contrast, European and UK buyers have to choose between a charger, case, or OnePlus Nord Buds 2 when pre-ordering the handset.

This difference is also apparent when you check the Nord CE 4 Lite’s spec sheet in various markets. A charger is listed as a bundled item on the Indian website but missing on the UK and European websites.

Dropping chargers: OnePlus to join the rest of the industry?

This is nevertheless a disappointing turn of events, particularly in light of the brand’s embrace of the proprietary SuperVOOC charging standard. The OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite offers 80W SuperVOOC charging, but it’s unclear what kind of charging speed is available via the widely accepted USB-PD standard. For what it’s worth, the OnePlus 12 offered much slower charging speeds via USB-PD.

We’ve asked OnePlus to clarify the reason for the missing charger in Europe and will update the article if/when the company gets back to us. We’ve also asked the company about the Nord CE 4 Lite’s charging speed when using USB-PD adapters.

It wouldn’t be the first time OnePlus dropped the bundled charger from a phone in some regions, though. The OnePlus 12R doesn’t offer a charger in the box in countries like Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines.