Tim Hardwick
Yesterday, we noted that the new iPad mini 7 does not come with a charger in the box when sold in European countries, and it turns out the same is now true for entry-level iPads sold by Apple across the continent.
Apple's most affordable iPad has shipped with a USB-C charger in Europe since its release in 2022, but the debut of the new iPad mini on Tuesday would leave it the only device left in the lineup to have one. The latest iPad Pro and iPad Air models, unveiled earlier this year, do not include a charger in the box when purchased in Europe. All of these devices only include a USB-C cable.
The change levels out Apple's iPad lineup and is likely a response to upcoming EU e-waste rules, although Apple has also removed the charger from iPad and iPad mini boxes in the non-EU UK. However, the UK government has just launched a consultation to look into mandating USB-C as the standard charging port for electronic devices, and it's hard to imagine that wouldn't largely mirror EU legislation.
Along with the change, Apple has also quietly cut the price of the iPad in many European countries to €409, a €30 reduction from its original price of €439. Meanwhile, in the UK, Apple's cheapest iPad has dropped by £20, now starting at £329, down from £349. The price of the base iPad in the US remains unchanged, but buyers still get a 20W USB-C charger in the box.
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