Do we really need a charger in smartphone boxes in 2021?

Galaxy S21 In Box Contents Leak
Galaxy S21 In Box Contents Leak (Image credit: WinFuture)

There's been a lot of talk around smartphone boxes in recent months. Apple doesn't include an AC adapter or earbuds in the iPhone 12 box, Samsung's more than likely ditching the charging brick for the Galaxy S21, and this has caused quite the commotion in the AC forums.

On one hand, you can argue that including chargers and earbuds is unnecessary at this point in time and does nothing but cause inevitable e-waste. Alternatively, some people see this as a cash-grab from companies who are now charging for accessories that would otherwise have been included. If anything, it's an interesting point of discussion.

Taking a look through the AC forums, here's what some of our members have said on the topic.

How much are really saving by NOT INCLUDING the accessories. I get ELIMINATING the 3.5mm headphone jack because of the BILLIONS in sales with the AirPods series but to say that Apple is doing this for environmental reasons, hence the BS in the title. I'm surprised they include all those USELESS manuals and the SIM ejector tool. If you haven't read, Samsung will also not be including...

bembol

You just kinda proved their point there: you just gave her the included accessories that most people don't use (and shouldn't, those AKG wired buds sound pretty crappy). I'm happy if they do what they did for those (god awful) headphones with the latest phones, though... don't include it, BUT give the option for users to request one for free. As for chargers, I have a mountain of them, I...

SpookDroid

All these manufacturers going this way, trying save money every which way , or get you buy their accessories.

mustang7757

I've got mixed feelings about this to be honest. On one hand it's stupid not to get a charger with such an expensive device, on the other we produce insane amounts of unnecessary electronic waste including chargers and cords with everything. Personally haven't bought a charger in over 5 years, I have dozens of them. My Note 9 and Note 20 Ultra chargers haven't even been removed from their...

L0n3N1nja

What say you? Do we really need a charger in smartphone boxes in 2021?

Join the conversation in the forums!

Joe Maring

Joe Maring was a Senior Editor for Android Central between 2017 and 2021. You can reach him on Twitter at @JoeMaring1.