Apple Inc, which is today expected to launch key new products, has said it will appeal a Brazilian order banning it from selling iPhones without a battery charger, pushing back on claims that the company provides an incomplete product to consumers, Reuters has reported.
On Tuesday, the Brazilian Justice Ministry fined Apple 12.275 million reais ($2.38 million) and ordered the company to cancel sales of the iPhone 12 and newer models, in addition to suspending the sale of any iPhone model that does not come with a charger, the newswire said.
In the order, published in the country's official gazette, the ministry argued that the iPhone was lacking a essential component in a "deliberate discriminatory practice against consumers," Reuters added.
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The authorities rejected Apple's argument that the practice had the purpose of reducing carbon emissions, saying there is no evidence that selling the smartphone without a charger offers environmental protections, the newswire reported.
Apple has said it would continue to work with Brazilian consumer protection agency Senacon in order to "resolve their concerns," while saying it would appeal the decision, Reuters noted.
The news comes with Apple expected to announce its new iPhone model on Wednesday.
Four new iPhone models are to be launched by the California company at the event, including iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro, plus two plus-size versions of each device.
The launch event, the company's first in-person event since the coronavirus pandemic, will be streamed on Apple.com and YouTube.
Apple might also reveal a "Pro" version of its Apple Watch at the event, and AirPods Pro 2 are also expected.
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