O2 has announced that the next HTC handset that will be released on the UK network will not be packaged with a charger in the box, in an attempt to try to quell the masses of unused phone chargers that are currently in circulation.
The network has teamed up with HTC to provide a charger-free device for the as yet unspecified phone, and the two companies are aiming to lower the amount of “wasted” chargers that are out there in the UK at the moment.
Inside the box for the mystery HTC handset users will still get a USB to micro-USB cable, as is the European standard, and HTC will be selling a separate micro USB charger. The move is hoped to encourage people to use older chargers (any micro USB charger will work) or connect via USB to a laptop or PC to charge.
O2 claims that 70% of customers who buy one of the 30 million new handsets sold in the UK each year already have the relevant charger which results in over 100 million chargers remaining unused across the UK!
By removing the accessory from the pack, O2 and HTC will be able to cut down on packaging and transport costs for the phones as well as giving their green credentials a kick in the right direction. The new system will be treated as a trial scheme by O2 and HTC and the companies have stated the handset will be the next “flagship” smartphone from HTC, so one that will hopefully sell in masses.
In recent years manufacturers have taken drastic steps to minimise the size and packaging that is included with mobile phones, from removing physical manuals to data discs and in some cases even providing a special USB plug adapter that can be made smaller.
Additionally, the lack of chargers will hopefully lower the number of components needed to produce the smartphone, which will be another bonus for O2’s green credentials.
Ronan Dunne, CEO of O2 stated: “I have a simple vision for O2: we want to take chargers out of boxes full stop,”
“We hope that we will be able to pave the way for others to follow us as this has to be a collective effort if we are to achieve the bigger aim of eliminating chargers sold with every new phone in the UK.”
And finally there will be a monetary benefit for O2 and HTC too; whether we will see this reflected in the price of the phone itself is the big question that we’re looking to be answered.
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