On track for no new smartphone chargers by 2015
O2 has the urged mobile industry to quit selling smartphone charges with new handsets after a successful trial.
The UK mobile operator has revealed the results of a three month long pilot scheme in collaboration with HTC. Called the 'charger out of the box' initiative, it saw the One X+ smartphone sold without the USB charger normally bundled. Visit Group test: what's the best smartphone?
O2 expected 70 percent of customers who bought the charger free One X+ to not purchase a separate charger. In fact, a total of 82 percent opted not to get a charger.
Ronan Dunne, CEO of O2, said: "The results of the trial demonstrate a clear willingness among consumers to consider and respond to the environmental argument for taking a phone charger-free. I now hope that as a result of this study the rest of the industry will now consider joining us in our campaign to take chargers out of the box for good."
O2 estimates that there are 100 million unused chargers in the UK – enough to fill four Olympic swimming pools. The firm plans to stop selling any chargers with new phones by2015.
With the vast majority of smartphones using the microUSB standard instead of proprietary connectors, there's much less need for every new device to come with its own charger.
Phil Roberson, Regional Director of the UK at HTC, said: "This pilot demonstrates that, if we inform our customers about the environmental impact of wasted phone chargers and the benefits of using the chargers and mains adapters that they already own, they respond positively to the message."
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Comments
Grandpa-Pete said: If the Samsung Galaxy S4 comes with a wireless charger then this will load the market with yet another type of chargerSo much for O2s ideaSo much for standardisation and the environment
Grandpa-Pete said: Is there not a potential fire risk associated with using a charger with the correct connector but at the wrong voltage ampage charging rateIf the industry is going down this route then standardisation certification is a must
Ian said: Is it OK to use any charger with any phone given the different ouputs for voltage and amperage Opinions on the android forum seem divided see httpforumsandroidcentralc
Steve said: Yes 82 of O2 customers wisely chose not to buy an overpriced charger from O2 with their phone and went to buy one at the pound shop next door Not exactly a reason to say people dont want a charger
owen123 said: In other words O2 just want more money by selling phones without charger but at same price
Cliff said: Hope that there will be an appropriate price dropequivalent to the purchase price of a new charger in case I need to buy one at a later date But I doubt it
Darren M said: Tell that to Apple