Apple’s New iPhones Have A Nasty Surprise

While Apple AAPL +0.84% seems keen to tease its biggest iPhone plans (for obvious reasons), the company will be a lot less happy that this penny-pinching decision has leaked out… 

‘Great Secret Features’ and ‘Nasty Surprises’ are my regular columns investigating the best features / biggest problems hidden behind the headlines.

Apple iPhone XI conceptCONCEPT CREATOR

Speaking to official accessory makers, acclaimed Japanese tech site Macotakara has revealed Apple will ignore recent pledges about value and once again ship all its new 2019 iPhones (dubbed ‘iPhone 11’) with cost-saving slow 5W chargers. Moreover, upgrading to new iPhones to fast chargers will remain eye-wateringly expensive.

The reason for this is a one-two punch of stubborn inactivity.

Firstly, Apple will continue to ship not only slow chargers with new iPhones but slow charging USB-A cables as well. This means owners will need to buy both the 18W charger ($30) and one-metre USB-C cable ($20 or 2m for $35!) resulting in a total outlay of $50-$65 per location.

Secondly, Macokatara says Apple has decided not switch its 2019 iPhones to USB-C (as widely expected) and will retain the Lightning port, which means the company will retain control over licensing and third-party prices. This despite both the MacBook and iPad Pro ranges switching to USB-C last year, with the latter also bundling an 18W charger.