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Apple Store Free 10W Adaptor with Trade-in of a 3rd Party Adaptor for iPad Owners

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A bit different from previous deal which has been removed to a forum…

I got my super dodgy wall USB charger (bought from an eBay seller in Hong Kong, got very hot in 5 minutes, noise while charging, iPad frozen while charging, took forever to charge up, etc…) swapped for a genuine 10W power adapter for FREE.
I used my iPad 3's serial number.
This could be their system glitch or intended, who knows.

It seems that
3rd party charger + iPhone serial + $14 AUD = genuine 5W AC adapter
3rd party charger + iPad serial + $0 AUD!!! = genuine 10W AC adapter

Related Stores

macrumors.com
macrumors.com

closed Comments

  • 10W or 12W?
    I would go with glitch either way.

    • 10W only
      to be exact, power = voltage x current = 5.1 Volt x 2.1 Amp = 10.71 Watt

  • Sorry, I must be stoopid. Where do you enter a serial number? All I saw was talk about taking your Chinese charger into an Apple store.

    • +2

      Things to bring: your iPad + your 3rd party charger
      Thing to do: book a genius bar appointment, can be booked beforehand or at the spot

      They will ask you to show your iPad serial on your iPad.

  • do you have to go to a store

    • Yes, go to a store with your iPad and 3rd party charger

  • Good deal. Is there a time limit on this? Should I rush out to a (not so nearby) apple store now, or will it still be an option in a couple week. Also, anyone know if this works with an original iPad?

    • It works with all iPhones, iPads and iPods and is available until October 18

  • After I showed my iPhone serial to an Apple Genius.
    Me: "Why do I only get a 5W one?"
    Apple Genius: "Because you used your iPhone's serial?"
    Me: "Where does it say on the program?"
    Apple Genius: "Well, it does not say, but that is how I interpreted it"
    Me: "Since 5W and 10W are of the same price, can I get a 10W one?"
    Apple Genius: "NO"
    Me: "Uh.. OK…" (and then proceeded with credit card payment of $14)

    After I showed my iPad 3's serial to an Apple Genius.
    Apple Genius: "Here is your 10W charger"
    (Apple Genius prepared for payment)
    Apple Genius: "Somehow our system shows that it is a free swap. We'd better finalise the payment now before the system changes its mind"
    Me: "Uh.. OK…" ^_____________^

    • +1

      I see. I think maybe 10w adaptor discontinued with iPad 3 that is why the system does not have retail price to deduct the $10 and hence showed up $0. That is just what I think what happened to OP maybe just lucky the 'genuis' isn't smart enough.

      • It was a lucky mistake, I was charged $14 for a 10W charger with an iPad 3 serial

  • i have a non-working iPad charger. It's the original one came with my iPad. Would it be possible to make a swap? or i have to get a third party charger.

    • Use your statutory warranty right for a swap for free then.

      • Unfortunately, the warranty has expired. That's why i was wondering if it's possible to make a swap.

        • +1

          Your statutory warranty right does not expire after 1 year. How old is your iPad? If it is not older than 2-3 years I think you should be able to argue? Otherwise just ask if you can swap the broken genuine for the working counterfeit one they got from the program as the genuine one is worse of built quality.

        • Thank you. I didnt know that. I'll have a check.

  • It does not make sense you pay $14 for a 5w adaptor now which used to be 14w adaptor but now $0 for 10w adaptor. Whoever served OP made a mistake?

  • what's the difference between 5w and 10w in terms of charging a iphone? I have a genuine iphone4 5w adaptor in good condition, I am thinking if it's worth to do so. (I have a ipad 4)

    • 5W = iphone charger,
      10w = ipad charger….

      in the most basic english i can translate to…..its the wattage which causes the device to be either charged quickly or slowly. the devices will accept either but strictly speaking you should use a 10W charger to properly charge an ipad. using a 10w charger on an iphone will just result in a stepdown from 10w to 5w in the charger.

      • which means I can use 10w charger to charge my iphone quickly without damage the phone?

        • +2

          If the phone can only draw 1A from the charger that's what it does. If you made your own supply that could go up to 5A the phone would still draw 1A and an ipad would still draw 2A (unless the ipad can actually draw more than 2A that is.)

          That's why when you need a power supply for something you match the voltage to what is required but it doesn't matter if the power supply is rated to a higher amp rating than the one you are replacing.

    • I have a genuine iphone4 5w adaptor in good condition, I am thinking if it's worth to do so.

      Unless I'm mistaken, I don't think this is possible.
      They are only offering exchanges with fake adaptors otherwise everyone with an iphone and ipad will rush to upgrade their iphone adaptors.

  • +1

    Be careful. it seems some "geniuses" won't honour this. See post:

    http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=2138739#r…

  • can i bring one ipad with five 3rd party chargers?
    Will they only swap one for me?

    • The special pricing on Apple USB power adapters is limited to one adapter for each iPhone, iPad, and iPod you own

      • thanks

  • -1

    Anyone tried with a 4th Gen Ipod Nano serial? Is the charger free or cost $14?

  • Thanks. Just got 3rd party charger swapped with iPad 10W charger free of charge.

  • Did not work for me. Thay asked for $14 something, no matter iphone or ipad.

    • Did you specifically ask for a 10w adaptor? The OP highlight here is bring an iPad 3 and ask for a 10w adaptor swap for free. The 12w adaptor for $14 swap program is in another post.

  • My adaptor isn't 3rd party but my cable is. It's pretty worn out so would this be a hazard? Could I exchange it at apple? I have an iPad 3rd gen. P.S I'm a tech noob.

    • Adapter only

  • Let's make a list of stores which give you iPad charger for free. :)

  • Who else got a free charger?
    Pls post location and iPad model…

    • Location: Apple Store, Hornsby, Sydney, Australia, Earth, Solar system.
      Model: Apple the new iPad 64GB cellular (MD371X)

  • Ya will be great anyone managed to get a free one swap in WA and let us know.

  • This is a good deal, but the title of this post is wrong. I can confirm
    - iPad 3 serial = $14 for a 10W charger
    - iPhone serial = $14 for a 5W charger
    - If you get lucky and they make a mistake, good for you :)

    I went in with my iPhone and they were all set to give me a 5W charger, I asked for a 12W and they said the system only lets them get the same one as the serial number that you use to do the swap. So I instead asked them to use the serial number for my iPad 3 which they retrieved from my account, and they brought out a 10W charger, and explained that the 12W charger came with the iPad 4, and I paid $14 for it.

    I'm not complaining, it was still a good deal :) But to it is a free whatever-charger-came-with-your-device and if they happen to give you a different one, then you got lucky.

    • what store?

      • Broadway, Sydney

        • I went to broadway store too around 3pm and also have to paid $14.00. I did bring my ipad 3.

  • I went to the Canberra Apple Store on Saturday and had a 10w adaptor replaced for $14 after presenting my third-generation iPad.

    I think the OP's luck was a system error rather than bargain given the wording of the Apple press release on the matter, but $14 for a 10w charger and proper disposal of a dead piece of eWaste is a great price.

    For anyone else contemplating the swap, the Canberra staff out front thought a Genius Bar appointment was necessary until one of the more senior Geniuses mentioned that one wasn't required for this exchange program. They were fast and helpful in the switch, and said a fair few people were coming through.

  • Can I trade my overseas genuine charger with an Australian one using this offer?

    • If your bought your i products from other countries then they should be brough back to the country you bought from for services etc. as I doubt the serial number for your i product is on their system for the adaptor swap but you can give it a try.

      • I have claimed warranty for an iphone bought overseas. I dont see why the adapter would be different.

        • That was an Apple genius told me about how warranty and services work for iPad. I guess different genuis has different story to make up but the Apple website does state that you may have to deal with your warranty from which country you bought it from.

  • I also got a free 10W charger for my iPad 3. The genius asked me to pay $14. but once he saw the system. He told me I am lucky, beoz system said there's free.

    • Which store, please?

      • chatswood chase,NSW

        • I had to pay $14 at chatswood. I guess it depends who you get.

  • I just swapped mine at Rundle Mall SA, paid $14 for an iPad3
    I queried the cost and told her i had read online it was $14 for iPhone but free for iPad but she said it was only free if you bought in a genuine, faulty duckhead.
    Still happy, the one i took in was a $1 chinese USB wall adapter.

    • What if your ipad cable was coming apart - will they replace that?

      • they dont replace cables, only the duckhead

  • Went to Perth city Apple store today. Was told free swap for an Apple to an Apple adaptor but would cost $14 for a non Apple to an Apple adaptor swap. But one thing worth mentioning is you can swap a 10w for a 12w adaptor as well for free but the genius told me 12w would charge quicker but shorten your iPad battery life. Not sure if he was just bluffing but i paid $14 for a 10w adaptor swap because they were out of stock for a 12w one unless i wanted a floor stock.

    • I have been told the same thing in Sydney Apple store.

    • so strange

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