Apple has confirmed that its scheme to offer discounted replacement USB chargers for iPhones, iPads and iPods will happen in Australia. What we don’t know yet is what people will pay.
Apple announced the scheme to replace unofficial third-party adaptors on its US support page earlier this week, but a similar page hasn’t yet appeared on the Australian site. An Apple Australia spokesperson confirmed that the scheme would roll out globally from 16 August .
Under the scheme, which runs until 18 October, iDevice owners can purchase a replacement adaptor for their devices if they hand over their third-party charger at an Apple store (Apple says it will organise environmentally-safe disposal). You need to bring your device as well, and there’s a limit of one bargain USB adaptor per device.
What we don’t know yet is the price. In the US, replacement chargers are being offered for $US10. If Apple followed its usual principle of largely matching the price but adding GST, we could expect to pay $11.
In the US, the USB power adaptor normally costs $US19 (less tax); in Australia, it’s $25. The roughly half-price there ratio suggests we might pay $12.
China’s replacement scheme kicks off ahead of the rest of the world on 9 August. Reports of a Chinese iPhone user being electrocuted by a third-party charger are widely presumed to be the reason for the scheme, though Apple hasn’t stated that explicitly.
Comments
5 responses to “Apple’s Charger Replacement Scheme Will Include Australia”
I think they should also replace, for free, their shoddy provided iPhone cords – mine was plugged into the socket beside my bed and the top of the cord looks twisted and mangled, worse off than the one I throw into my handbag!
Try calling AppleCare, or visiting a Genius before you presume they don’t. I know of many a case where they have replaced the cables that have been mangled by “use”. Especially if you explain that it’s coming apart and dangerously exposing the wires.
Be nice if they made 3m cables too.. 1m (or whatever it is) is way too short for iPads.. iPhones maybe.. and even then it can be annoying.. but for iPads.. the length needs to be longer..
JB HIFI has the longer ones. Belkin are good.
I recently bought an iPhone 4S from Kogan. As it was a direct import, it came with a european style plug in the box. Included was a cheap charger to use with it. It was a bit pointless really as the charger was only 5W, so would take a while to charge. I plugged it in and about 10 minutes later unplugged it when I realised how hot the charger was running. Went straight online and purchased an Apple 12W charger. I wonder if I can take the Kogan charger in for a cheap Apple replacement? (NB someone stole the iPhone charger I keep at work off my desk this week, so need to get a new one anyway).