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Apple Announces Trade-In Program for Third-Party iPod, iPhone and iPad Chargers (Update: 28 Countries Listed)

By Sidney Wong & Ng Chong Seng - on 17 Aug 2013, 10:56pm

Apple Announces Trade-In Program for Third-Party iPod, iPhone and iPad Chargers

Image source: Apple Store (SG)

Update: Apple has now listed more countries (screenshot below) eligible for its USB power adapter trade-in program. In Asia, new countries added include Hong Kong, Korea, and Taiwan. Interestingly, the fine print at the bottom of the page seems to suggest that there are more countries involved, and users whose countries aren't listed should check with their local Apple Authorized Service Providers for pricing details.

 

Update (15/08/13): On Apple's website, you can now find the list of countries that this USB power adapter takeback program applies to. Besides the U.S. and China, it lists Australia, Canada, Deutschland (that's Germany), France, Japan, and the U.K. The price of the replacement Apple USB power adapter in each country's local currency is also listed.

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Originally posted on August 6, 2013:

*Update at 10.35 AM: An Apple spokesperson just informed us that the company is "working to offer this program around the world as quickly as possible."

If you have purchased a third-party USB power adapter for your iPod, iPhone or iPad, Apple is willing to replace it with an official one at a special price of US$10 or approximate equivalent in local currency.

Announced as the USB Power Adapter Takeback Program, the special pricing on Apple USB power adapters is limited to one adapter for each iPhone, iPad, and iPod you own. AllThingsD reports that the Program will be launched on a global scale; commencing on 9 August in China and 16 Aug in the U.S and the rest of the world.

To qualify for the Program, you must turn in at least one USB adapter and bring your iPod, iPhone or iPad to an Apple retail store or participating Apple Authorized Service Provider for serial number validation.

Apple - "Recent reports have suggested that some counterfeit and third party adapters may not be designed properly and could result in safety issues. While not all third party adapters have an issue, we are announcing a USB Power Adapter Takeback Program to enable customers to acquire properly designed adapters."

So far, two life-threatening incidents have occurred due to the use of unauthorized chargers. A 23-year-old woman from Xinjiang died from electric shock while using her iPhone 5 which was connected to a third-party charger. Another man in Beijing fell into a coma after plugging a third-party charger into his iPhone 4.

Apple has since posted a page to its China website advising consumers on the risks of using unauthorized chargers. We've reached out to Apple on whether the Program is available on a global scale and we will update this section when we have new information.

Source: Apple via AllThingsD.

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