Apple potentially weighing removal of included iPhone cable, other accessories

Apple is gauging interest in the accessories it includes with the iPhone 12 lineup with survey that asks owners if they use the included USB-C power cable.

Earlier in 2020, Apple carried out a similar customer survey regarding the USB power adapters bundled with iPhones. Apple, of course, removed the chargers and EarPods from the boxes of its iPhones starting in October, saying the change would greatly reduce its products' impact on the environment.

Buyers of the iPhone 12 lineup are receiving surveys asking if they actually use the items that come with their devices, including the power cable, SIM ejection tool, and Apple stickers, 9to5Mac reports.

Additionally, Apple is also asking users about the Face ID experience on the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro lineup. That comes amid rumors that the company is working to improve the biometric authentication system in future iPhone generations, a decision that could see integration of under-screen Touch ID technology.

Apple typically engages in after sales survey work to gauge customer satisfaction. Whether the company plans to take action on the information gleaned from the questionnaire is unknown.

51 Comments

Xed 2880 comments · 4 Years

About 3 years ago

This will eventually happen as Qi charging is becoming commonplace…. and of course people will bitch about it. The Lightning port will also go away eventually.

jdb8167 626 comments · 16 Years

I don't need any more USB or USB-C to lightning cables but more USB-C to USB-C data cables would be appreciated. Just USB-C charging cables, I don't have a surplus of those yet but I can already see that I will in the near future.

GeorgeBMac 11421 comments · 8 Years

Of course people aren't using that silly cord Apple enclosed with the iPhone 12. They have nothing to plug it into. It was just a cruel joke Apple played on its customers.

Now, if they provided something (like a USB-C brick) to plug it into the story would be quite different with happy customers watching their phones charge from 0% to 50% in 30 minutes.

Xed said:

This will eventually happen as Qi charging is becoming commonplace…. and of course people will bitch about it. The Lightning port will also go away eventually.

Eventually we'll have self driving cars. But so far GM has not stopped supplying steering wheels and brake pedals for their cars.

gmgravytrain 884 comments · 8 Years

Sure, why not remove the cable when the charging port is going bye-bye? Ahhh... the whole ecology just breathed a sigh of relief. Social media is going to go nuts. So amusing. They should be used to this by now. Apple is chasing after profits and will do (remove) anything to get it. I've got cables and adapters up the wazoo, so it doesn't matter to me.