Apple Customers in France Still Get EarPods in the Box With Every New iPhone

[MacRumors]

Apple is still including EarPods in the box of every iPhone in France due to legal obligations.

According to Apple's regional French online store, every iPhone including the iPhone 12 comes with both a USB-C to Lightning cable and EarPods with a Lightning connector.

The inclusion of earphones is likely due to legislation in France that requires all smartphones to include a "handsfree kit" to protect children under 14 from the potential risk of electromagnetic radio waves. The obligation is based on the precautionary principle, because the risks of exposing developing brains to electromagnetic waves are not clearly known, according to French law:

At the request of the purchaser of a mobile phone, the operator must provide an accessory such as a hands-free kit or headset suitable for children under 14 years of age.

Promoting the use of a mobile phone without a handsfree accessory in France is punishable by a criminal fine of 75,000 euros.

As was rumored before Apple officially unveiled the iPhone 12, all four models ship without EarPods or a power adapter in the box in other countries around the world. In addition, the iPhone 11, iPhone XR, and iPhone SE no longer include these accessories either.

Apple's website encourages customers to use their existing Apple power adapter and headphones or buy these accessories separately, and to help offset the cost, Apple has now lowered the price of its EarPods with a Lightning connector from $29 to $19. Apple's new 20W power adapter for iPhones also retails for $19, down from $29 for its now-discontinued 18W power adapter that was included with the iPhone 11 lineup until now.

Apple touted the environmental benefits of no longer including EarPods or a power adapter with iPhones, noting that the move reduces carbon emissions and avoids the mining and use of rare-earth elements. iPhone 12 models also ship in a thinner box as a result, with Apple claiming that it can fit 70 percent more iPhone boxes on a single pallet during shipping.

(Thanks, Hussain!)

Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Article Link: Apple Customers in France Still Get EarPods in the Box With Every New iPhone

 

[farewelwilliams]

and 99% of people in France are going to throw them in the trash.

thanks France for not being environmentally friendly.

 

[HeavenDynamic]

Vive la France !

 

[macfacts]

and 99% of people in France are going to throw them in the trash.

thanks France for not being environmentally friendly.

So has apple actually said they are doing this for environmental reasons? Or just some rumor/speculation from apple fans trying to justify the purchase?

 

[mous94410]

Merci la loi française !

 

[madmin]

I noticed this yesterday and saved some screenshots of the webpages. The funny thing is that if you look at the iPhone comparison page, the new phones are listed as NOT having them. So perhaps this is juste une erreur as they say.

 

[matt_and_187_like_this]

Hey Timmy, how much bigger is the packaging in France with Earpods in the Box and how much is that in cars on the roads

 

[HeavenDynamic]

and 99% of people in France are going to throw them in the trash.

thanks France for not being environmentally friendly.

Joz, is that you?

 

[farewelwilliams]

So has apple actually said they are doing this for environmental reasons? Or just some rumor/speculation from apple fans trying to justify the purchase?

Did you not watch the event? They literally said it reduces carbon emissions (among many other reasons).

 

[yurc]

What the heck, Earpods inclusion are placed under political news.

 

[oldmacs]

Hey Timmy, how much bigger is the packaging in France with Earpods in the Box and how much is that in cars on the roads

how many cars on the road is Apple’s constant prematue ending of software support for capable Macs? (2012 and 2013 Macs with Big Sur, 2009, 2010 and 2011 Macs with Mojave).

How many are on the road does Apple gluing consumables (batteries) into MacBook Pros and Airs, meaning the whole top case has to be replaced?

 

[matt_and_187_like_this]

how many cars on the road is Apple’s constant prematue ending of software support for capable Macs?

Geez, add that to the cars on the roads for non-replaceable batteries.

 

[farewelwilliams]

Joz, is that you?

Nope, it's me, Common Sense.
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Hey Timmy, how much bigger is the packaging in France with Earpods in the Box and how much is that in cars on the roads

Because it's Tim's fault for having this stupid law, right?

 

[cupcakes2000]

and 99% of people in France are going to throw them in the trash.

thanks France for not being environmentally friendly.

It’s a law surrounding driving whilst using your phone that’s requiring it. France is extremely environmentally friendly compared to some other major nations.

 

[farewelwilliams]

It’s a law surrounding driving whilst using your phone that’s requiring it.

Article says it's regarding risks of electromagnetic waves in brains of developing children

"because the risks of exposing developing brains to electromagnetic waves are not considered by French law to be clearly known"

 

[gnasher729]

For purchases in a store, this could be solved: Different price for iPhone + earphones and iPhone without earphones. You are only sold iPhone without earphones for the lower price if you bring a set of working earphones to the store, or if you buy the iPhone with some more expensive earphones.

 

[cupcakes2000]

Fair enough, though the laws regarding using hands free kits whilst driving are also very strict.
Contrary to what you imply however, France is environmentally friendly, in the top five of many lists whereby the US, for example, is closer to the top 30.
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Article says it's regarding risks of electromagnetic waves in brains of developing children

"because the risks of exposing developing brains to electromagnetic waves are not considered by French law to be clearly known"

 

[farewelwilliams]

Fair enough, though the laws regarding using hands free kits whilst driving are also very strict.
Contrary to what you imply however, France is environmentally friendly, in the top five of many lists whereby the US, for example, is closer to the top 30.
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yes, i understand that many countries in europe are much more env friendly. it was just a jab at France for having this ridiculous law.

 

[djcerla]

“The inclusion of earphones is likely due to legislation in France that requires all smartphones to include a "handsfree kit" to protect children under 14. The obligation is based on the precautionary principle,”

Precaution for unknown damages, 100% guaranteed deaf children.

 

[NBAasDOGG]

Rest of Europe should follow!

 

[AhRiHmAn]

Hey Timmy, how much bigger is the packaging in France with Earpods in the Box and how much is that in cars on the roads

I’ve read there will be a second box for the earpods....
So yeah not that good for the environment...

 

[Breaking Good]

Perhaps it would just be a good time for the French to review their law. Times change and what once made sense several or more years ago may not make sense how.

 

[himanshumodi]

First masks. Now earPods. Everything is political these days

 

[macduke]

Next you’re going to tell me that France thinks 5G caused the coronavirus, lol. Maybe Q is French?

 

[PsykX]

I’ve read there will be a second box for the earpods....
So yeah not that good for the environment...

Considering how small the earpods box is, at this point it shouldn't do much against the environment.

Unless they ship it separately to the customer, or unless they ship it in a bigger box, like any small thing Amazon ships.