Updated September 2026: in late 2020 I was put off the iPhone 12 by its price and by Apple removing the charger from the box, and considered an iPhone 11 plus AirPods Pro instead. I have rewritten it into a guide to charging an iPhone now that no charger is included, and to that older-model trade-off.
My plan had been the iPhone 12. Its price and the missing charger made me reconsider. The iPhone 11 was attractively priced by then, and choosing it would let me stretch my budget to AirPods Pro, which I had wanted for a long time for their sound and because my office calls often ran over an hour.
Why did Apple stop including a charger?
From October 2020, Apple removed the power adapter and EarPods from iPhone boxes, citing environmental reasons: smaller boxes and less electronic waste, since most buyers already owned chargers. Critics pointed out that buyers without a suitable adapter now had to buy one separately. Other phone makers followed on many models.
Which charger should you buy for an iPhone?
- A USB-C power adapter supporting USB Power Delivery, rated 20 W or more, for fast charging.
- The right cable: USB-C to Lightning for iPhones up to the iPhone 14, and USB-C to USB-C for iPhone 15 and later, which switched to USB-C.
- A reputable brand with proper safety certification, rather than the cheapest unbranded adapter.
An older USB-A adapter still works, but charges noticeably slower.
Is an older iPhone plus AirPods better value?
Often, for people like me who spend long hours on calls or listening. A one-year-old iPhone does almost everything the new one does, and the price difference can buy quality earbuds, which change the daily experience more than a slightly faster chip. The trade-off is a shorter remaining software support window, which matters if you keep phones for many years.
Do AirPods Pro suit long work calls?
They are comfortable for long periods for many people, noise cancellation helps on calls in noisy homes, and transparency mode lets you hear the room. Battery life per charge is a few hours, with the case recharging them, so very long call days need a quick top-up in the case between calls.
What should you check before deciding?
Whether you already own a suitable USB-C charger, how long you keep phones, and whether the new model has a feature you will actually use. If none of these favours the new model, last year's iPhone plus the accessory you really want is a sound choice.