Apple Shipping New Apple Watches Without Power Adapter, but iPad Air Includes 20W USB-C Charger

Apple today announced the new Apple Watch Series 6 and the Apple Watch SE, and in an effort to cut down on packaging, Apple plans to ship some of the new Apple Watch models without power adapters for the first time.

applewatchpoweradapter
The new Apple Watches continue to ship with a 1m Magnetic Charging Cable, but the 5W power adapter that used to come with a watch is not included in the box for Apple Watch SE and aluminum and stainless steel Apple Watch Series 6 models. Higher-end titanium and Hermès models do, however, continue to include a power adapter.

Rumors have suggested that Apple also plans to eliminate the power adapter from iPhone models as well to save money because of the expense of 5G, and the removal of the power adapter from the Apple Watch box seemingly confirms these plans.

The new iPad Air that was announced today will continue to ship with a power adapter, however. It includes a new 20W USB-C power adapter that works with the new USB-C port that replaces the Lightning port.

ipadairpoweradapter
The eighth-generation low-cost iPad also comes with the same 20W power adapter along with a USB-C to Lightning cable for charging purposes.

The new Apple Watch models and the eighth-generation ‌iPad‌ can be purchased from Apple starting today, while the ‌iPad Air‌ will be available in October.

Update: This article was updated to note that titanium and Hermès Apple Watch Series 6 models continue to include a power adapter in the box.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 11
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Buy Now)

Popular Stories

streaming black friday 2025

Black Friday Streaming Deals Include Big Savings on Disney+, Hulu, Apple TV, and More

Monday November 24, 2025 8:03 am PST by
We've been focusing on deals on physical products over the past few weeks, but Black Friday is also a great time of year to purchase a streaming membership. Some of the biggest services have great discounts for new and select returning members this week, including Disney+, Hulu, Paramount+, Peacock, and more. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a...
Apple Foldable Thumb

Foldable iPhone to Debut These Three Breakthrough Features

Tuesday November 25, 2025 7:09 am PST by
Apple's first foldable iPhone is expected to launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models in fall 2026, and it's shaping up to include three standout features that could set it apart from the competition. The book-style foldable will reportedly feature an industry-first 24-megapixel under-display camera built into the inner display, according to a recent JP Morgan equity research report. That...
General Black Friday Deals 25 Red

Apple Black Friday Deals Available Now on AirPods, iPads, Accessories, and More

Friday November 21, 2025 8:48 am PST by
We're only a few days away from Black Friday, which will take place on Friday, November 28 in 2025. As always, this will be the best time of the year to shop for great deals, including popular Apple products like AirPods, iPad, Apple Watch, and more. In this article, the majority of the discounts will be found on Amazon. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When...
General Apps Messages Redux

Singapore Orders Changes to iMessage by December

Tuesday November 25, 2025 6:39 am PST by
Singapore has ordered Apple to block or filter messages on iMessage that impersonate government agencies, requiring the company to implement new anti-spoofing protections by December as part of efforts to curb rising online scams, the Straits Times reports. Singapore's Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said that it had issued an Implementation Directive to Apple under the Online Criminal Harms...
maxresdefault

The MacRumors Show: iPhone 18 Pro Looks Like a Huge Upgrade

Friday November 21, 2025 9:10 am PST by
On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we talk through all of the new features and improvements expected to come to next year's iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models. Subscribe to The MacRumors Show YouTube channel for more videos Apple's next-generation iPhones are less than ten months away and we already have a good idea about what to expect based on corroborated leaks, rumors,...
iOS 26

iOS 26.2 Adds These New Features to Your iPhone

Thursday November 20, 2025 10:50 am PST by
iOS 26.2 is currently in beta testing. The upcoming update includes a handful of new features and changes on the iPhone, including a new Liquid Glass slider for the Lock Screen's clock, offline lyrics for Apple Music, and more. In a recent press release, Apple confirmed that iOS 26.2 will be released to all users in December, but it did not provide a specific release date. Keep reading...
iOS 26 on Three iPhones

iOS 27 Will Reportedly Have Two Key Upgrades

Sunday November 23, 2025 8:48 am PST by
iOS 27 will reportedly have two major elements: quality improvements and new AI features. In his Power On newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said that iOS 27 will be similar to Mac OS X Snow Leopard, in the sense that Apple is focused on improving "quality and underlying performance" over adding new features. Gurman said there is one exception to this rule, though, as he expects...
apple news banner

Apple News Loses CNN

Monday November 24, 2025 7:56 am PST by
American multinational news company CNN has abruptly pulled its content from Apple News, Semafor reports. CNN quietly removed its stories from Apple News over the weekend and there is no longer a feed from the network to subscribe to in the app. This effectively ends its distribution agreement with Apple while the two sides negotiate new terms. Discussions are apparently ongoing and CNN's...
iPhone Pocket Short

iPhone Pocket is Now Completely Sold Out Worldwide

Tuesday November 25, 2025 7:16 am PST by
Apple recently teamed up with Japanese fashion brand ISSEY MIYAKE to create the iPhone Pocket, a limited-edition knitted accessory designed to carry an iPhone. However, it is now completely sold out in all countries where it was released. iPhone Pocket became available to order on Apple's online store starting Friday, November 14, in the United States, France, China, Italy, Japan, Singapore, ...

Top Rated Comments

hlfway2anywhere Avatar
68 months ago

I was ready to buy, and I think they’ve actually convinced me not to...
You were ready to drop over $400 and changed your mind because a 5W power adapter that you probably already have, and if you don't, can buy for $5, isn't included? Or for some other, more rational reason?
Score: 64 Votes (Like | Disagree)
richpjr Avatar
68 months ago
Cutting down on packaging really means new and innovative ways to increase profits.
Score: 44 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JPack Avatar
68 months ago
Oh yeah. Packaging. That's the issue.

Don't mind the iPhone cases and Watch bands in a million colors selling for $39.
Score: 31 Votes (Like | Disagree)
fokmik Avatar
68 months ago

Well this basically confirms the iPhones from here on out will not come with a power adapter.

I wonder what's next, buying cars without wheels?
Whats next? android world to do the same
Score: 30 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mattster16 Avatar
68 months ago
I'm ok with this. Power adapters are so ubiquitous at this point. It's essentially becoming instant environmental waste. Buying a new phone and switching to the new power adapter even though the old one is still perfectly functional, etc.
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jincheker Avatar
68 months ago
I like the creative reason they gave for not including a power adapter. I agree, and I decided to not buy the watch so that they can produce less for even better environment.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)