Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

MacRumors

macrumors bot
Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
67,847
38,495


Starting with the iPhone 12 later this year, Apple has been rumored to be omitting the EarPods and power adapter that have traditionally been included in the box, an effort that would save Apple money, reduce e-waste, and cut down on packaging size as Apple would rely on most users already having their own earphones and a plethora of power adapters.

iphone_12_box_insert_render.jpg

Ran Avni of popular iPhone 3D concept channel ConceptsiPhone has shared a new rendering from a "really reliable source" that is claimed to be a box insert for the iPhone 12.

The insert exhibits a very thin profile with a circular area that would be for a USB-C to Lightning cable and a square area that could be for paperwork and the traditional stickers that come with Apple products, as it looks too thin to house EarPods. A thin depression around the entire insert is likely where the iPhone itself would sit.

Apple typically makes nearly its entire product packaging out of recycled paper products, with the iPhone box inserts firmly glued into the outer retail boxes. The rendering of this insert looks more like plastic, which would be unusual in a modern Apple retail box, but it could simply be due to the rendering process not accurately representing the molded paper products.

We're a little skeptical of the veracity of this for now, but if true, it would be a strong piece of evidence that Apple is indeed planning to not include EarPods or a power adapter with the iPhone 12 and demonstrates how much thinner the overall iPhone box could be without those items included.

Article Link: Claimed iPhone 12 Box Insert Design Suggests No Included EarPods or Power Adapter
 
That's great - nickel and dime you for a $1000 phone.

And before fanboys complain about this being an eco-friendly move: Why don't they first design cables and headphones that last longer than a couple of months (and don't say they last for me - search it, it is a well known problem that both the earpods as well as charging cables keep breaking)
 
New customers will have to purchase a power brick that would have normally been included. Apple cares about new customers because they sometimes include slides in keynotes about an "X" percentage of customers that are "new to iPhone". So I guess they don't think those customers will care?

I think they would have loved the fast charger included in the iPhone 11 Pro, but now they will be forced to pay up.
 
That's great - nickel and dime you for a $1000 phone.

And before fanboys complain about this being an eco-friendly move: Why don't they first design cables and headphones that last longer than a couple of months (and don't say they last for me - search it, it is a well known problem that both the earpods as well as charging cables keep breaking)
I’ve literally never had an Apple charger or headphones break. In fact, mine still works from my original iPhone and the iPhone works too.

Apple knows how long they last far better than either of our anecdotal stories and if they indeed don’t include, Apple is confident in their analysis of data we don’t have. Remember, the strategy always confirms the truth...just like getting rid of headphone jack. No one cared, despite the outcry.

This move makes a ton of sense as the iPhone and power bricks become more common. I don’t need one.
 
Looks more like a box for AirTags to me. But even still, the round area could have the wound up Lightning to USB Cable along with EarPods in the middle. You'd lose the extra space we're familiar with by just removing the plug in adapter. Presto. Thinner box.
 
  • Like
Reactions: tkukoc
Eh.
The iPod touch never had a brick, the iPad never had headphones, the Apple TV hasn't had an HDMI for a long time, so this just matches up.
Plus, I've got probably like 10 bricks and lightning cables laying around.
So if it's better for the environment, then I'm fine with it.
Also, of course it saves Apple money. Apple is a business, they are designed to make money. Every company wants to maximize profits.
Steve would have done the same thing. ]\
 
“an effort that would save Apple money, reduce e-waste, and cut down on packaging size as Apple would rely on most users already having their own earphones and a plethora of power adapters.”

Sure, but who has a plethora of USB-C chargers? I struggle to see how this is anything other that cost for Apple...

like don’t get me wrong, I’m going to get the 12 Pro or whatever it’s called, but let’s call a spade a spade?
 
Apple clearly has no issues with too many SKUs these days so I'd recommend they sell me a $999 iPhone 12 Pro with nothing but the iPhone. But they make available a $1049 model that has charger, cable, EarPods for first time buyers.
 
  • Wow
Reactions: AmazeSE
Sure we all have too many of the worthless, slow 5W adapters, but who can say they have "too many" fast charging, 12 or 18 watt adapters?
And then Apple will include a cable that doesn’t work with what you have too many of forcing you to buy a new one which increases accessories revenue. And people claim this is about the environment. 🙄
[automerge]1594138642[/automerge]
Apple clearly has no issues with too many SKUs these days so I'd recommend they sell me a $999 iPhone 12 Pro with nothing but the iPhone. But they make available a $1049 model that has charger, cable, EarPods for first time buyers.
Why do they need to increase the price when they used to sell a $999 phone with charger, cable and headphones?
 
"Would save Apple Money"

Pass those savings onto the customer and I'm sure we're all game!

Better yet, Include a paper QR code for ear pods and power brick if you need them scan them with the iPhone camera and the products will be delivered if you need them. Now thats really putting the customer first.
 
Last edited:
The EU has made a big push to stop manufacturers from including g chargers in the box. They want people to reuse the chargers they have. Apple has been in a fight with the EU over the Lightning port. The EU wants them to drop it in favore of “standard” USB. Of course, with USB changing so much and so fast, the question is which USB? It has been micro USB for years, but now, more likely USB C. But rumors are saying that in 2021 possibly, Apple will have no port, and the hat everything will be wireless. How that would work, I have no idea.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.