Did Amazon's sale of a 68 yuan original iPhone charger slap Apple in the face?

Recently, Apple has launched a charger replacement program. For just an additional 68 yuan, customers can replace any charger with a brand new original Apple charger. This move was seen as a conscientious decision by Apple. Recently, some netizens discovered that the price of the original Apple chargers sold on Amazon China is exactly 68 yuan. Other netizens commented, "You know too much."

Earlier, there were consecutive reports of iPhone electric shock incidents in China, pushing the safety issues of iPhones to the forefront. Some analyses suggested that the main reason for the iPhone electric shock incidents was the use of counterfeit chargers, successfully shifting the focus of the conflict from the iPhone to counterfeit chargers.

Subsequently, Apple announced on its official website that it would conduct a charger replacement event from August 9, 2013, to October 18, 2013. Customers could exchange any charger for an original Apple charger for just 68 yuan. This activity was first introduced in China and would be implemented in other regions globally after August 16. This was also considered as Apple's gesture of goodwill towards Chinese consumers.

Recently, some netizens found that the price of the original iPhone charger sold on Amazon China is exactly 68 yuan, while the price of the assembled charger being sold simultaneously is 29 yuan. Some netizens said, "This time, Apple not only made money from counterfeit chargers but also moved the Chinese to tears."

Currently, there is no evidence to verify the authenticity of the "original iPhone chargers" sold on Amazon. In fact, when Apple first launched the charger replacement program, some analyses believed that this was a dual public relations and marketing activity. On one hand, it successfully confirmed that the iPhone electric shock incidents were caused by counterfeit chargers, quickly shifting its image from being questioned to being praised. On the other hand, many consumers would participate in this activity out of safety considerations, which to some extent promoted the sales of Apple chargers. Although the original iPhone 5 charger is priced at 149 yuan on Apple's official website, the 68-yuan replacement price is still profitable for Apple.