Samsung could follow Apple in killing the in-box phone charger

When rumors emerged that Apple would not bundle a charger or EarPods with the iPhone 12, many probably chalked it up to Apple being Apple. Now, it seems that Android manufacturers may be adopting a similar strategy.

According to Korea’s ETNews (h/t SamMobile) Samsung is considering selling its smartphones without in-box chargers from as early as next year.

While the Korean manufacturer hasn’t confirmed the news, it’s possible that keeping costs down could be one reason for the decision. Smartphone prices have skyrocketed in the past decade thanks to higher hardware prices. The Galaxy S20 Ultra launched at $1,499 with many other manufacturers pushing and breaking the $1,000 barrier with their current flagships.

Companies like Apple and Samsung could also use the excuse of users having legacy power adapters from previous phone purchases. That might be true for some enthusiasts, but new entrants into the smartphone space may not be in the same position.

See also: If you buy a S20 Ultra for $1,399, you need to pay extra for a 45W charger

You could also argue that eliminating in-box chargers is just another accessory cash-generator for the company. Samsung has previously come under fire for selling a $50 45W fast charger for the Galaxy S20 Ultra while only including a 25W charger in the box.

Ditching the charger could further normalize the practice of charging excessive fees for essential accessories. It likely won’t lead to noticeably cheaper phone prices either, just more expensive power adapters.

In a poll we conducted earlier this month, a whopping 77% of you were angry that Apple may not include a charger with the iPhone 12. We can’t imagine you’d be happy about Samsung’s rumored decision either.

Let us know what you think about Samsung’s possible charger-less future in our quick poll below.