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Apple customers offered cut-price charger trade-in

Shanghai Daily, August 7, 2013

• Third-party iPhone chargers have caused several electric shock incidents in China lately. [File photo]

  Apple is offering cut-price chargers to customers who trade in fake or third-party items following two incidents where one person died and another was seriously hurt.

  From Friday, people with unauthorized power adapters will be able to swap them for certified Apple models for 68 yuan (US$11) compared to the regular price of 149 yuan, Apple said yesterday.

  The offer will be extended to the United States and other markets from August 16.

  Users can swap their adapters at Apple Stores and authorized service providers. Any USB power adapter made for iPhone, iPad, or iPod can be swapped for the official version at the special price.

  In Shanghai, there are three Apple Stores - on Huaihai Road, Nanjing Road and Lujiazui. There are also 13 Apple authorized service providers in the city.

  "Customer safety is a top priority at Apple," Apple said.

  "Recent reports have suggested that some counterfeit and third party adapters may not be designed properly and could result in safety issues."

  Apple said it would ensure that the substandard adapters would be disposed of in an environmentally friendly way.

  The offer will be valid until October 18, Apple said.

  Last month, 23-year-old Ma Ailun, a flight attendant for China Southern Airlines, was found dead at her home in northwest China with her iPhone by her side and a third-party charger attached.

  Ma had burns on her body and the iPhone she was using was scorched on both sides.

  Xiang Ligang, a telecommunications expert in Beijing, said: "A non-original charger may have had a low-quality electric capacity and a safety circuit that allowed the 220-volt electric circuit to run through the phone and electrocute the woman."

  Just days later, a 30-year-old Beijing man was knocked unconscious when he got an electric shock while trying to recharge his iPhone.

  He is believed to have made a full recovery.

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