Brazilian regulators will once again issue a fine to Apple because the new iPhone 13 does not come with a charger, which means a disguised price increase for consumers. Brazil is the largest smartphone market in Latin America, and Samsung’s share in Brazil has reached nearly 50%.
Recently, the Brazilian consumer protection regulator stated that it will issue another fine to Apple for failing to equip the new iPhone 13 with a charger.
This is not the first fine issued by Brazilian regulators to Apple. According to Brazilian local media TechTudo, in March 2021, Procon-SP regulator imposed a fine of US$1.9 million on Apple for iPhone 12 not including a charger. The $1.9 million fine was the highest amount allowed by Brazilian law. Apple has since been forced to provide chargers to anyone who asks for them.
Affected by this and other related factors, the iPhone 12 Mini and iPhone 12 Pro sold in Brazil at that time became the most expensive Apple mobile phones in the world. For example, a customer planning to purchase a 64GB iPhone 12 Mini in Brazil will have to pay 6,999 reais, which is equivalent to US$1,270. Italy ranks second in the ranking of the same model, but the price is much lower: the equivalent of US$996.
Fernando Capez, executive director of Procon-SP, said, “Consumers have already expected that they will receive chargers and smartphones, and breaking the norm may also mean unreasonable price increases.”
On the iPhone 13 launched this year, Apple continued its practice last year. Although Apple did state on its official website that the new phone does not include a charger, the Brazilian authorities believe this is not enough. Capez said that the local consumer law requires that such information needs to be clearly reminded, rather than low-key display.
Procon-SP had previously accused Samsung of violating the same consumer law, but it did not fine the company and does not seem to intend to do so. Capez said that Samsung avoided fines by agreeing to provide Galaxy S21 chargers for free.
According to Counterpoint analysts: In 2020, Samsung will still be the market leader in Latin America, occupying 40.5% of the market, and is in a leading position in all Latin American countries. Brazil is the largest smartphone market in Latin America, and Samsung’s share in Brazil has reached nearly 50%. Motorola ranked second in Latin America. With its assembly operations in Brazil and Argentina and brand awareness in Mexico and Colombia, its shipment share increased by 3% year-on-year. “
From the data point of view, since Apple entered the Brazilian market, it has not really opened up the situation.
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