Sony Ships Xperia 10 VII Without USB-C Charging Cable

Sony has begun shipping at least one new phone without a USB-C charging cable, marking a further step in a trend that began with manufacturers removing wall adapters from smartphone boxes. The Xperia 10 VII, a recently released model, is being sold without a charger or a cable, and packaging graphics make the omissions explicit, the company says.

Sony frames the change as part of its Road to Zero environmental plan, which aims for a zero environmental footprint by 2050 and includes targets such as reducing virgin plastic use and moving to plastic-free packaging. Omitting accessories can shrink box size, increase shipping density and reduce material and transport emissions, the company has said. Manufacturers also point to widespread public adoption of USB-C as a reason many buyers already possess compatible cables and chargers.

Industry observers note that the move carries financial incentives as well. Removing a cable saves manufacturers a small per-unit cost that becomes significant across millions of sales, and it can spur accessory purchases of higher-margin first-party or certified third-party cables and chargers. The practice follows earlier shifts: several major brands...