Apple and Belkin Reducing Environmental Impact of Packaging With iPhone 13 Launch

[code-m]

"Deliveries" was already there. So it's not a step back. "Non-reparability" was already there. Shipping out a nice-braided cable to people who may already have a cable would be a step back.

So it's one step forward and no steps back. With a lot more steps forward possible but not taken.

The present lightening cables included have a lack of durability compared to braided types or even some third party options. I have had iPhones and iPads with lightening cables including the 30pin and I had to get it exchanged close to the 1 years warranty mark after that I either threw it out, used another unused cable from an iOS product or purchase a third party all of which is not environmentally progressive. So yes it is one step forward and three steps back as I have to still go to the Apple store to get the warranty cable exchanged or have Apple shop me another and send the defective one back.

Had Apple included a more durable cable I am onboard but at present that is not the case and I forgot to mention most of the time it’s not even the connector it’s the cable itself that tears. I have had several family and friends experience the same so it’s not an issue of me mishandling the cable. It’s either a product flaw or a decision to use less durable materials to save money.

 

[thadoggfather]

The present lightening cables included have a lack of durability compared to braided types or even some third party options. I have had iPhones and iPads with lightening cables including the 30pin and I had to get it exchanged close to the 1 years warranty mark after that I either threw it out, used another unused cable from an iOS product or purchase a third party all of which is not environmentally progressive. So yes it is one step forward and three steps back as I have to still go to the Apple store to get the warranty cable exchanged or have Apple shop me another and send the defective one back.

Had Apple included a more durable cable I am onboard but at present that is not the case and I forgot to mention most of the time it’s not even the connector it’s the cable itself that tears. I have had several family and friends experience the same so it’s not an issue of me mishandling the cable. It’s either a product flaw or a decision to use less durable materials to save money.

i wonder what happened to the braided cable rumor forgot about that one

 

[code-m]

i wonder what happened to the braided cable rumor forgot about that one

It was probably for the M1 iMac and either be expanded but that depends on Lightening connectors future on iPhone as it’s almost done on the iPad lineup.

 

[cmaier]

I think it's a good move. I also think not releasing a phone every year with marginal improvements would be reducing the environmental impact of packaging even more.

How so? People would just buy last year’s models, which are still packaged?

 

[thadoggfather]

How so? People would just buy last year’s models, which are still packaged?

wouldnt be surprised if those get updated like Se2 box getting slimmed down with charger removed

 

[dannyyankou]

I think it's a good move. I also think not releasing a phone every year with marginal improvements would be reducing the environmental impact of packaging even more.

Yeah I agree with this. You can tell there’s certain years, like this one, where apple is just trying to meet a deadline. I mean who are they kidding? Slightly better camera, slightly smaller notch, and yay finally 120hz (which doesn’t make a huge difference on a small phone). But hey, people are addicted, you have to give them what they want with a new $1000 status symbol every year.

 

[cmaier]

Yeah I agree with this. You can tell there’s certain years, like this one, where apple is just trying to meet a deadline. I mean who are they kidding? Slightly better camera, slightly smaller notch, and yay finally 120hz (which doesn’t make a huge difference on a small phone). But hey, people are addicted, you have to give them what they want with a new $1000 status symbol every year.

Again, this is a silly take. Why do you compare this year’s phone to last year’s, when on average people replace their phone every 2-3 years?

 

[dannyyankou]

Again, this is a silly take. Why do you compare this year’s phone to last year’s, when on average people replace their phone every 2-3 years?

I know that. But it doesn’t help the environment when millions of people upgrade their phone every year, and Apple literally has an upgrade program that allows you to upgrade your phone every year.

 

[cmaier]

I know that. But it doesn’t help the environment when millions of people upgrade their phone every year, and Apple literally has an upgrade program that allows you to upgrade your phone every year.

Ah, so people can’t control themselves and you want Apple to be their mommy.

Ok.

 

[dannyyankou]

Ah, so people can’t control themselves and you want Apple to be their mommy.

Ok.

I would have no problems with Apple releasing a new iPhone every year if they didn’t do things that contradicted their environmental message. Camera bump widens by mere millimeters, so you have to get new cases. Apple doesn’t want to make a more durable lightning cable, so you have to replace it often (yes I know you can buy your own, but that makes the cable in the box wasteful). Or how about the fact that Apple makes it difficult for third parties to repair, so you end up just buying a new phone anyway because it costs a fortune to have Apple fix it.

 

[code-m]

I would have no problems with Apple releasing a new iPhone every year if they didn’t do things that contradicted their environmental message. Camera bump widens by mere millimeters, so you have to get new cases. Apple doesn’t want to make a more durable lightning cable, so you have to replace it often (yes I know you can buy your own, but that makes the cable in the box wasteful). Or how about the fact that Apple makes it difficult for third parties to repair, so you end up just buying a new phone anyway because it costs a fortune to have Apple fix it.

If only Apple applied a rubberized coating on the iPhone back shell it would not require a case unless for the most demanding of situations and it would make it a little bit more durable but then no money to be made on accessories.

All those wasted iPhone and iPad cases 😢

 

[dannyyankou]

If only Apple applied a rubberized coating on the iPhone back shell it would not require a case unless for the most demanding of situations and it would make it a little bit more durable but then no money to be made on accessories.

All those wasted iPhone and iPad cases 😢

People say there's no room to innovate anymore. I disagree. Apple, Samsung, Google, OnePlus: Put all your resources into making your phones shatterproof, scratch-proof, waterproof, dust-proof, etc. I know you guys like to do things incrementally because you want people to buy a new phone every year. But if you put the same effort that you did with foldable and rollable displays, phones would be indestructible by now. I mean they make glass windows that can withstand bombs for gods sake.

 

[Shasterball]

Reduce your environmental impact if you really care and skip the upgrade!

That's exactly right. Hang on to your phone for as long as you can. Then send it in for recycling. That's how you make the real impact. We don't need shiny new toys every year!

 

[usagora]

But hey, people are addicted, you have to give them what they want with a new $1000 status symbol every year.

Speak for yourself. Many like me are simply techies who love new gadgets and don't give a flying you-know-what if anyone else knows/sees what we have. So, we may be "addicted" but certainly not vain.

 

[code-m]

That's exactly right. Hang on to your phone for as long as you can. Then send it in for recycling. That's how you make the real impact. We don't need shiny new toys every year!

Shush you will wake-up the auto industry 😜

 

[dannyyankou]

Speak for yourself. Many like me are simply techies who love new gadgets and don't give a flying you-know-what if anyone else knows/sees what we have. So, we may be "addicted" but certainly not vain.

I can’t speak for myself because I don’t upgrade every year. Now I do upgrade every 2-3 years because 7 plus to XS, and XS to 12 pro were pretty big jumps. But I wish they would bring back the “xS” naming because this phone is not worthy of the name “iPhone 13”

 

[lordofthereef]

I can't help but feel like there can also be a lot done with upgrade programs. As nice as it is to get trade ins and the like, isn't it infinitely better to get people to embrace keeping their devices for as long as possible?

Updates for many years is an excellent step in this direction that Apple has already embraced. I noticed carriers have hopped on the bandwagon of a new phone every two years with zero out of pocket costs. That's super cool, but not exactly environmentally forward thinking.

Having said all that, I am pleased with this change, and I think all of this is way more user positive than removing charging hardware. I understand the thought process behind that, but at some people we will hit diminishing returns, and people are going to HAVE to buy charging hardware. If the rumors are true about a portless phone coming down the pipeline, it's looking like a magsafe and/or Qi charger will be in people's shopping carts anyway, assuming Apple doesn't ship them with their idevices.

 

[lordofthereef]

I always tried to leave the plastic on the box to protect it. Also seems like the sticker would be easier to tamper with and make it look like it hasn't been opened when it actually has been. Not too thrilled about this change but it's not something worth caring about either. Sadly most people are wasteful and do just throw out the plastic to end up in the landfill.

They've been using these stickers for a while (at least a few years) on their other, smaller products. I want to say my leather mag wallet (or whatever its called) was in a package like this.

I am PURELY guessing here, but it seems like they may have rolled it out as a test with these cheaper products. Its really very obvious if one of these products has been opened and the sticker doesn't really peel. It is designed to tear. I can imagine that someone somehow could get around it with the right equipment, but then that same person could probably fake a reseal on plastic wrap if they were motivated enough.

 

[usagora]

I can’t speak for myself because I don’t upgrade every year.

I meant speak for yourself for viewing yearly (or at least frequent) iPhone upgrades as a matter of wanting a status symbol. I'm sure that may be true for some folks, but I doubt that's it for most - certainly not for me! Heck, most people wouldn't even be able to tell you had a new iPhone this year anyway unless you told them since the outside is nearly identical.

 

[usagora]

I can't help but feel like there can also be a lot done with upgrade programs. As nice as it is to get trade ins and the like, isn't it infinitely better to get people to embrace keeping their devices for as long as possible?

Updates for many years is an excellent step in this direction that Apple has already embraced. I noticed carriers have hopped on the bandwagon of a new phone every two years with zero out of pocket costs. That's super cool, but not exactly environmentally forward thinking.

Apple may be environmentally conscience, but that's only within the realm of what makes good business sense. They're not going to voluntarily give up a ghastly amount of profit by skipping years for new products when the demand is there for them.

I'm not saying this is necessarily true of you, but I have to wonder if some of these comments are rooted in some sort of envy of people who frequently upgrade their iPhones (obviously no one's going to admit that, of course). So it turns into a sort of "sour grapes" routine of "no one needs a new phone every year" / "Apple should wait 2+ years between new iPhone models" / etc. I just get the feeling that may be the real source of this attitude vs. actual concern for the environment.

 

[lordofthereef]

How so? People would just buy last year’s models, which are still packaged?

I suppose it depends on what percentage of the market is a yearly upgrader. If you aren't pushing a brand new "replacement" product out yearly, the people on the yearly upgrade cycle probably wouldn't buy a new device every year. I really don't know what that number is.

 

[lordofthereef]

Apple may be environmentally conscience, but that's only within the realm of what makes good business sense. They're not going to voluntarily give up a ghastly amount of profit by skipping years for new products when the demand is there for them.

I'm not saying this is necessarily true of you, but I have to wonder if some of these comments are rooted in some sort of envy of people who frequently upgrade their iPhones (obviously no one's going to admit that, of course). So it turns into a sort of "sour grapes" routine of "no one needs a new phone every year" / "Apple should wait 2+ years between new iPhone models" / etc. I just get the feeling that may be the real source of this attitude vs. actual concern for the environment.

I don't have the data on that. From a personal standpoint I just have a hard time praising a company for being environmentally conscious while at the same time encouraging people to replace products yearly that clearly don't need replacement. And when I say they need no replacement, I mean they still function as originally intended, and in some cases even better with updates. Having an Apple sanctioned yearly upgrade program is sort of the antithesis of being environmentally forward.

As a (maybe) apt analogy, this is a bit like reading about the cigarette companies funding cancer research and treatment. Hard to imagine they both care about the people dying of cancer from using their products while continuing to sell these same people (and newer generations) the same products.

 

[redheeler]

It's not recyclable regardless, so what's the "wasteful" judgment for?

If you read a couple sentences before that I said I always try to leave the plastic on the box to protect it. For me it served a functional purpose.

They've been using these stickers for a while (at least a few years) on their other, smaller products. I want to say my leather mag wallet (or whatever its called) was in a package like this.

I am PURELY guessing here, but it seems like they may have rolled it out as a test with these cheaper products. Its really very obvious if one of these products has been opened and the sticker doesn't really peel. It is designed to tear. I can imagine that someone somehow could get around it with the right equipment, but then that same person could probably fake a reseal on plastic wrap if they were motivated enough.

eBay sellers have rewrapped iPhones and tried to pass them off as new. It's extremely difficult to get it looking like the original factory job though, there are almost always giveaways in the listing photos for someone who really knows what to look for.

With the stickers I imagine it's easier than the plastic wrap to fake one and get it looking enough like it hasn't been opened to fool most people except for again those who really know what to look for.

(Apple has used stickers for a long time on larger products like Macs to indicate a seal, and I've been worried someone could fake those fairly easily, but it seems like the new style ones they've been using for a few years now are indeed a bit harder to peel / fake)

 

[lordofthereef]

If you read a couple sentences before that I said I always try to leave the plastic on the box to protect it. For me it served a functional purpose.

eBay sellers have rewrapped iPhones and tried to pass them off as new. It's extremely difficult to get it looking like the original factory job though, there are almost always giveaways in the listing photos for someone who really knows what to look for.

With the stickers I imagine it's easier than the plastic wrap to fake one and get it looking enough like it hasn't been opened to fool most people except for again those who really know what to look for.

(Apple has used stickers for a long time on larger products like Macs to indicate a seal, and I've been worried someone could fake those fairly easily, but it seems like the new style ones they've been using for a few years now are indeed a bit harder to peel / fake)

I guess my question is, is your concern based on reality? Are people faking these stickers? And further, if they are, it sounds like you are checking anyway and have recourse. A person that isn't checking or doesn't know what an intact legitimate seal looks like might get fooled by a rewrap be it plastic, sticker, or otherwise.

based on your own responses, if you are checking seals like it sounds like you are, I really don't think you are getting fooled by a knockoff sticker. Maybe I spend too much time in collectibles groups, but people who care (ie YOU) don't get burned, and people who don't care get burned with very minimal/poor effort anyway.

 

[doelcm82]

The present lightening cables included have a lack of durability compared to braided types or even some third party options. I have had iPhones and iPads with lightening cables including the 30pin and I had to get it exchanged close to the 1 years warranty mark after that I either threw it out, used another unused cable from an iOS product or purchase a third party all of which is not environmentally progressive. So yes it is one step forward and three steps back as I have to still go to the Apple store to get the warranty cable exchanged or have Apple shop me another and send the defective one back.

Had Apple included a more durable cable I am onboard but at present that is not the case and I forgot to mention most of the time it’s not even the connector it’s the cable itself that tears. I have had several family and friends experience the same so it’s not an issue of me mishandling the cable. It’s either a product flaw or a decision to use less durable materials to save money.

Okay, I don’t disagree with you about the cable being bad. I haven’t had good experiences with Apple’s lightning cables. But it isn’t a step back to continue doing what they already were doing. It’s just a step not taken.