CNET – In the wake of an electrocution in China reportedly linked to a third-party power adapter connected to an iPhone, Apple has launched a trade-in program to replace users’ third-party chargers with its own.
Noting that some third-party or counterfeit power adapters may be poorly designed and result in safety issues, Apple announced Monday that its USB Power Adapter Takeback Program will swap non-Apple chargers with its own for $10.
“Customer safety is a top priority at Apple,” Apple said in a statement. “That’s why all of our products — including USB power adapters for iPhone, iPad, and iPod — undergo rigorous testing for safety and reliability and are designed to meet government safety standards around the world.”
Scrutiny of third-party and counterfeit chargers intensified last month after a 23-year-old Chinese woman was reportedly killed while answering a call on her iPhone 5, which is believed to have been connected to a third-party USB charger. In a separate incident, a 30-year-old man in Beijing was shocked while plugging his iPhone 4 into a third-party charger, leaving him in a coma for several days.
Beginning August 16, iPhone, iPad, or iPod users can drop third-party chargers at an Apple Retail Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider and pay $10 for an Apple USB adapter, which usually retails for $19. Apple said users’ old adapters will be disposed of in an environmentally friendly way.
The deal runs through October 18 and is limited to one trade-in per device. To qualify, iPhone, iPad, or iPod users must bring their device with them at the time of trade-in to verify the serial number.