Samsung’s new Galaxy S23 series smartphones offer cutting-edge hardware with high-end features, but do they come with a charger in the box? Until a few years ago, no one asked this question while buying a phone, as almost all smartphones shipped with in-box chargers. However, that changed in 2020, when Apple released the iPhone 12 without an accompanying charger. While Samsung initially ridiculed the decision, it followed suit soon after, as did almost all other Android vendors. Over the past few years, not bundling a charging adapter with a smartphone has become the norm, despite persistent protests from customers.
As of 2023, most flagship smartphones ship without chargers; unfortunately, the Galaxy S23 series is no exception. While it can be frustrating for many users, it’s not exactly unexpected, as last year’s Galaxy S22 range did not come with chargers either. None of the three phones in the lineup, which includes the Galaxy S23, S23+, and the high-end S23 Ultra, ship with a charger. With most smartphone manufacturers adopting this trend, it is unlikely that the charger will become an in-box accessory again.
Why Samsung Doesn’t Include A Charger
Samsung did not provide an official reason for not including a charger with the Galaxy S23 series devices. But in 2021, the company explained why when talking about its Galaxy S21 lineup. According to Samsung, the decision to stop bundling chargers with smartphones was taken to make the products more environment-friendly, which is also Apple’s reasoning for not shipping chargers with iPhones.
Since the charger-free devices can ship in smaller boxes that require less cardboard and plastic for the packaging, not including a charger can help address the growing e-waste problem. Smaller boxes also companies can fit more units on a cargo plane or truck and reduce carbon emissions. Finally, with chargers already lying around in many people’s homes, phone makers argue that an additional charger would be redundant in most cases, and would only increase the amount of electronic junk ending up in landfills.
However, despite the assertion that it’s all about the environment, removing a charger is very likely a business decision. It also helps companies save money and increase their profit margins. Moreover, with chargers no longer bundled with smartphones, people often buy them separately, especially to take advantage of the latest upgrades in charging speeds, creating another revenue source for the companies. Thankfully, chargers are relatively inexpensive, and Galaxy S23 users can buy one from Samsung or a myriad of other third-party vendors, like Anker, Belkin, and more.
