Smartphones Might Soon Stop Shipping With USB Cables: Here’s Why It Matters

The Day Your New Phone Comes With… Almost Nothing

Remember the excitement of unboxing a brand-new phone? That moment when you peel off the plastic wrap, open the box, and find not just the shiny device itself but also a neatly folded charger, a cable, maybe even a pair of earphones. That ritual has been slowly disappearing. First, earphones were removed. Then, the charging brick was taken out. And now, it looks like the next casualty might be the USB cable itself.

A recent Reddit post caused a stir when a user shared photos of their brand-new Sony Xperia 10 VII box. On the back of the packaging, it clearly shows what’s not inside: no charger, no cable. Just the phone. For years, consumers have grumbled about chargers disappearing from the box, but at least cables remained standard. If this trend spreads, the days of getting a USB cable with your new phone could be numbered.

This shift sounds small, almost trivial. But when you step back, it’s the continuation of a much bigger story—one that mixes environmental arguments, corporate profits, and the evolving relationship between consumers and tech giants.

Why Manufacturers Started Cutting Accessories in the First Place

Apple kicked off the modern “less in the box” movement in 2020 with the iPhone 12. At the time, the company argued that most people already had multiple charging bricks at home. By removing them, Apple said, it could shrink packaging, ship more units per pallet, and reduce e-waste.

And yes, there’s truth to that argument. According to Statista, the number of smartphone users who own at least one USB charger is nearly universal in developed markets. Multiply that by billions of phones sold each year, and you can see why dumping extra accessories into landfills became a problem.

Of course, critics also noted that Apple quietly benefited financially. A smaller box means lower shipping costs, and many buyers ended up purchasing a new charger anyway—often directly from Apple at premium prices. Since then, other major smartphone brands like Samsung and Xiaomi followed suit, leaving chargers out of the box.

Cables, though, were seen as untouchable. After all, what good is a phone if you can’t even connect it to power? That’s why Sony’s move with the Xperia 10 VII feels like the start of a new chapter.

The Sony Example: What Happened With the Xperia 10 VII

On the Linus Tech Tips subreddit, a user named Brick_Fish shared their surprise: their freshly bought Sony Xperia 10 VII didn’t include a charger—or even a USB cable. The photo they posted confirmed it. Sony, a company that no longer dominates the smartphone market but still has a loyal niche audience, has quietly taken a bold step.

Why does this matter? Because smartphone trends often start small and spread fast. Remember when Apple first ditched headphone jacks? At the time, many mocked the move. Fast forward a few years, and now almost every flagship phone lacks a headphone jack. History suggests that if Sony is trying this, bigger brands might not be far behind.

The Environmental Argument: Real or Just PR?

On paper, the case for removing USB cables is simple. By 2025, USB-C has become the standard across almost all major devices. Laptops, tablets, cameras, and even gaming consoles now ship with USB-C ports. The average consumer probably has several working cables lying around already.

From an environmental standpoint, fewer bundled cables mean fewer cables manufactured, shipped, and eventually discarded. It also reduces packaging size, which lowers carbon emissions during transport. These arguments are easy to grasp, and they sound reasonable.

But here’s the real trick: manufacturers aren’t just saving the planet—they’re also saving money. Even if cutting a cable saves only a few cents per unit, when you’re shipping tens of millions of devices, that’s millions of dollars in savings. Add in the fact that some customers will end up buying official cables as replacements, and you can see why companies are tempted.

What’s at Risk: Quality and Consumer Trust

Not everyone is convinced this is a win. Commenters on the Reddit thread raised a valid concern: if high-quality bundled cables disappear, many consumers will turn to cheap third-party cables. These might not be as durable, and worse, they could be unsafe—failing to deliver enough power or even damaging your device.

I’ve been there. Once, in a rush, I grabbed a $3 no-name USB-C cable from a convenience store to charge my phone. Within days, the connector bent and started sparking when plugged in. Lesson learned: cheap isn’t always cheerful.

This is where the “green” argument starts to feel shaky. If removing cables simply pushes consumers to buy more (and often lower-quality) replacements, are we really reducing waste? Or just shifting it around?

Apple Did It First Kind Of

Interestingly, Apple has already been quietly phasing out bundled cables in other product lines. The newest AirPods—both the AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 3—ship without charging cables. While that didn’t make as many headlines as removing the iPhone charger, it shows the company’s willingness to normalize “BYOC”—bring your own cable.

Sony is the first smartphone manufacturer to follow this logic, but given Apple’s influence, it’s not hard to imagine others jumping on board soon.

The Bigger Picture: Minimalism Meets Profit

So, what’s really going on here? When you step back, this trend feels like part of a larger minimalist push in tech. Companies like Apple, Sony, and Samsung frame it as sustainability: smaller boxes, fewer accessories, less clutter. And sure, there’s truth there. But at the same time, these decisions also line up neatly with corporate cost-cutting and new revenue streams.

In some ways, it’s similar to the airline industry charging for checked baggage. What started as a small change to “keep fares low” became a multi-billion-dollar revenue generator. Removing chargers and cables might follow a similar pattern: sold as eco-friendly, but deeply profitable.

Step-by-Step: What This Means for Consumers

If bundled USB cables start disappearing, here’s how it will affect you:

1. Expect bare-bones packaging. Your new phone may come with just the device, a SIM tool, and paperwork.

2. Check compatibility. Make sure you have a USB-C cable that supports fast charging for your specific phone. Not all cables are created equal.

3. Budget for extras. If you don’t already own good cables, you might need to buy them separately.

4. Do your research. Look for certified cables (USB-IF certified, or official manufacturer cables) to avoid safety issues.

5. Embrace reusability. Keep older cables in good condition. They’ll become even more valuable over time.

Comparison: Chargers, Cables, and Accessories Removed Over Time

Here’s What This Really Means

When you look at the bigger story, it’s not just about cables. It’s about how our relationship with tech companies is changing. The unboxing experience that once felt generous now feels minimal, even transactional. Companies argue it’s for the environment, and maybe part of it is. But make no mistake—profits are driving this just as much as sustainability.

For consumers, the shift is a reminder: don’t assume your new phone comes with everything you need. Start thinking of cables and chargers as separate purchases.

Final Thoughts: Should You Care?

So, should you be upset if your next smartphone doesn’t include a USB cable? That depends. If you already own plenty of quality USB-C cables, maybe not. But if you’re the kind of person who relies on that fresh new cable in the box, then yes—it’s another quiet downgrade.

For me, what stands out is how these changes sneak up on us. First, no charger. Then no earbuds. Now, maybe no cable. One day, will we just get the phone itself and nothing else?

Here’s the bottom line: smartphones without USB cables are likely coming. Whether we like it or not, the industry is moving in that direction. As consumers, we’ll need to adapt—by holding onto good cables, avoiding cheap knockoffs, and maybe speaking up when companies push minimalism too far.