Nokia ships phone without charger

 

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By Barry Collins

Posted on 20 Jan 2009 at 08:48

Nokia has launched its first mobile phone to come without a charger in the box.

The N79 Eco is Nokia's attempt to get customers to re-use their existing charger.

"We understand you don't always need another charger," reads a message on the company's website. "So, when you buy this Nokia N79 online, it comes without one.

"All we're asking is that you keep hold of your old Nokia charger, and use it again. It's part of a trial to save energy and reduce waste, so it comes in a smaller box too."

But buyers who decide to go for the charger-free version will be no better off. The company will instead make a £4 donation to the WWF - which is a pretty small drop in the ocean for a phone that costs £319.

Buyers who don't already have the requisite charger can buy the phone with the travel charger as normal.

Those upgrading from older models should beware that modern Nokia phones now have a different, smaller charger connection, and could end up paying more in the long run if their existing charger doesn't fit.

Nokia has also released an "Active" version of the N79, that comes with a heartbeat tracker and GPS unit, and allows users to plot their fitness stats and training routes on the web.