Amazon Cuts Galaxy A37 by 42%, Bundles Free 90W Charger With vivo X300 Phones

Q: Amid soaring phone prices from an AI chip crisis, is a free charger a genuine incentive or a clever marketing gimmick?

It is both, but mostly a modest incentive rather than a game-changing one. In today’s market, where smartphone prices are being pushed up by AI-driven memory shortages and higher component costs, a bundled charger has real value because many brands no longer include one in the box. A 90W adapter is not trivial: it is the accessory needed to unlock the vivo X300 and X300 Pro’s advertised fast charging, and buying an official high-wattage charger separately can add meaningful cost. In that sense, Amazon’s offer reduces the true out-of-pocket price and removes a practical hassle. But the economics also make it a classic marketing tool. The cost of a charger to a manufacturer or retailer is small relative to a premium phone that already costs hundreds of euros more than mid-range models. Presenting it as “free” boosts perceived value, softens sticker shock, and helps differentiate vivo from rivals that removed chargers for environmental or margin reasons. It is especially effective when paired with visible discounts, such as the 15% to 16% cuts on the X300 series. The key test for consumers is whether the bundle changes total value, not just perception. If a buyer needs a compatible fast charger, the offer is genuinely useful. If they already own a suitable USB-C PD or brand-compatible fast charger, the benefit is limited. So amid rising phone prices, a free charger is a real but relatively small incentive—and an intelligent piece of retail psychology.

Q: Is Amazon's free charger deal a true consumer benefit, or a step backward for reducing electronic waste?

Amazon’s free charger deal is a real short-term consumer benefit, but a mixed result environmentally. For buyers of phones like the vivo X300 Pro or X300, the offer solves a practical problem created by the industry’s move to remove chargers from the box. A bundled 90W adapter saves money, guarantees full-speed charging, and avoids the extra purchase many users now have to make. In a market where smartphone prices are rising and upgrade cycles are lengthening, that added value is meaningful. The environmental case is weaker. The EU’s common-charger policy was designed to cut waste by encouraging people to reuse existing USB-C chargers rather than receive a new one with every device. EU estimates have put discarded and unused chargers at roughly 11,000 tonnes of e-waste a year. If Amazon gives a charger to customers who already own compatible fast chargers, the promotion works against that goal by adding another accessory that may go unused. The key issue is whether the charger is needed. For someone upgrading from an older phone or lacking a high-wattage USB-C adapter, the bundle is efficient and useful. For someone with several compatible chargers at home, it is mostly redundant. So the deal is best seen as good consumer marketing rather than a clear sustainability win. A better balance would be to let buyers choose: take the free charger if needed, or opt out for a small extra discount or credit.

2 articles · Updated · GSMArena.com · Jul 18

Amazon’s latest phone promo pairs a free 90W FlashCharge adapter with select vivo models while stacking discounts on several handsets, led by 16% off the vivo X300 Pro and 15% off the X300.
The vivo X300 FE joins with a €140 voucher, while the charger offer does not extend to the vivo V70 FE, which still supports 90W wired charging but ships outside the bundle.
Samsung’s Galaxy A37 gets the steepest markdown at 42% off in both 128GB and 256GB versions, with the 256GB model adding 8GB RAM and six years of OS updates for under €300.
Motorola’s Razr 70 is €70 cheaper than a few weeks ago, trimming the price of the entry foldable with a 3.6-inch cover display, 6.9-inch inner LTPO screen and 4,800mAh battery.
Nothing’s Phone (4b) has moved from pre-order to open sale at €330 without discounts, leaving Amazon’s current campaign focused on price cuts and bundled charging value rather than new launches.