iOS 14.2 Suggests Apple Won't Include EarPods in the Box With iPhone 12

[MacRumors]

Rumors have suggested that Apple's iPhone 12 models will not include power adapters or EarPods in the box, and a minor code tweak in iOS 14.2 seemingly confirms Apple's plan to sell the new devices without EarPods.

In iOS 14 and earlier versions of iOS, there's a mention of reducing exposure to RF energy by using the "supplied headphones," which is the same wording that Apple has used for years now.

In iOS 14.2, this wording has been tweaked to say just "headphones," removing the "supplied" part of this statement. The full code reads as follows:

To reduce exposure to RF energy, use a hands-free option, such as the built-in speakerphone, headphones, or other similar accessories.

All prior mentions of headphones have included "supplied," and the deliberate elimination of the word in the new code strongly suggests Apple has no plans to "supply" headphones with the upcoming iPhone 12 models.

The mention of "supplied headphones" in iOS 14 is on the top, and the new wording without the word "supplied" is on the bottom​

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said in May that the iPhone 12 models will not come with EarPods in the box, with Apple instead planning to introduce some kind of AirPods promotion to encourage iPhone buyers to purchase AirPods as well.

There have also been rumors that Apple is eliminating the power adapter from the iPhone 12 box, which means customers will get an iPhone 12 and a USB-C to Lightning cable with nothing else.

The removal of the power adapter was all but confirmed when Apple released the Apple Watch Series 6 models without a power adapter, but until now, we've heard little else about the potential removal of the EarPods.

Apple has long offered EarPods with new iPhone models to give customers a way to listen to music, make calls, and more, but Apple has been aiming to transition to Bluetooth-only headphones since the launch of the AirPods and the removal of the headphone jack from the iPhone lineup.

Current iPhone 11 and 11 Pro models ship with EarPods that have a Lightning connector to plug into the Lightning port, but it appears the iPhone 11 devices will be the last to come with headphones in the box.

Apple is said to be removing the power adapter and the EarPods from the iPhone 12 box in order to cut costs, as the 5G chips in the new devices are expensive. The change will also allow Apple to slim down the size of the iPhone box, reducing packaging and environmental waste.

Steve Moser contributed to this report.

Article Link: iOS 14.2 Suggests Apple Won't Include EarPods in the Box With iPhone 12

 

[MN7119]

Here we go again. Apple will say it is saving the planet.

 

[Ukiyo Evenings]

Am I too new or is the rumour mill really churning out bangers this week? ??

 

[MallardDuck]

What we need now is a phone that uses USB-C to USB-C...time to ditch lightning.

 

[IPPlanMan]

How is this reducing packaging and environmental waste if I have to order a power supply or headphones from someone else and they have to ship it to me in a separate box through a separate carrier as part of a separate transaction?

I'm so tired of this feel-good nonsense that doesn't actually have a net positive at all. In fact, it's a net negative. Well done Tim.

 

[Mr. Awesome]

This makes more sense to me than excluding the power adapter. I wish that Apple would include the power adapter in the box if they have to remove the EarPods from it.

 

[TiggrToo]

Here we go again. Apple will say it is saving the planet.

Honestly speaking, do people still even use these nowadays?

I've not used any supplied buds since my first Android over 10 years ago.

 

[himanshumodi]

The people who spotted this must be the same ones who actually read the terms of agreements before checking the box and clicking next. I am impressed! It would be so easy to miss that "supplied" was missing in the sentence.

 

[decypher44]

Honestly speaking, do people still even use these nowadays?

I've not used any supplied buds since my first Android over 10 years ago.

Yep. My daughter does. She hates BT headphones.

They are also nice to have if your wireless loses power or “on the fritz”.

 

[robjulo]

We love our customers.

 

[farewelwilliams]

no one needs a 5w charging brick or EarPods. I'm glad Apple removed them so that they can spend some of the extra money saved in other areas of the product. people who think Apple is simply pocketing the extra money that was saved by not including these extra accessories are likely wrong.

 

[youdontsay]

Again, there will be earphones, at least in some countries: https://consomac.fr/news-12524-apple-pourrait-elle-vendre-l-iphone-sans-ecouteurs.html

 

[Hammerd]

While I agree that the USB cable, power brick and earphones are useless for most, it is still necessary for some and one should be able to get em for free (or a small fee to prevent abuse) if asked. Those items cost virtually nothing to Apple.
Also, if this an environmental-friendly decision, they should explain how selling disposable airpods with their 2 yr battery lifespan (non replaceable of course) is better .
Would they really care about the planet (and not selling more airpods), they would have made items that can be fixed.. I bought airpods pro but I've been pissed looking at iFixit and comments of fellows customers that face battery issues.

 

[jayducharme]

I've never used any version of Apple's ear buds, so I can't say I'll miss them. And now even dollar stores are selling Bluetooth headphones. So most people can easily acquire a basic set if they need one.

 

[im2fast4u]

Exquisite savings

 

[itsmilo]

How is this reducing packaging and environmental waste if I have to order a power supply or headphones from someone else and they have to ship it to me in a separate box through a separate carrier as part of a separate transaction?

I'm so tired of this feel-good nonsense that doesn't actually have a net positive at all. In fact, it's a net negative. Well done Tim.

yeah. No reason to be ashamed about trying to make money. Apple really annoys me with their „for the planet / customer“ spin

 

[carrrrrlos]

Courageous! Apple is at it again.

 

[supergt]

The exquisite box is getting smaller and smaller.

 

[Hammerd]

Again, there will be earphones, at least in some countries: https://consomac.fr/news-12524-apple-pourrait-elle-vendre-l-iphone-sans-ecouteurs.html

It says that EU law require manufacturers of phones that they add a device that can allow users heads not to be exposed to radio waves, that's interresting

 

[I7guy]

How is this reducing packaging and environmental waste if I have to order a power supply or headphones from someone else and they have to ship it to me in a separate box through a separate carrier as part of a separate transaction?

I'm so tired of this feel-good nonsense that doesn't actually have a net positive at all. In fact, it's a net negative. Well done Tim.

Not to worry, I have a closet full of earpods and power adapters. You can have any model power adapter you want as long as it's 5w.

So yeah. Well done Tim.

 

[youdontsay]

Again, there will be earphones, at least in some countries: https://consomac.fr/news-12524-apple-pourrait-elle-vendre-l-iphone-sans-ecouteurs.html

“Radio terminals intended to be connected to a network opened to the public for the provision of the telephone service cannot be sold without an accessory making it possible to limit the exposure of the head to radioelectric emissions during communications"

 

[himanshumodi]

Honestly speaking, do people still even use these nowadays?

I've not used any supplied buds since my first Android over 10 years ago.

Apple earbuds really work well for me. They are my go-to earphones when I am not using airpods. I will miss this, but I see Apple's POV here. I mean, OnePlus (and I am sure others) gets away without earphones in the box. So Apple's definitely seeing this as a profit maximization opportunity.

I will miss them. I do wish they would make a stronger cable for the earbuds so I wouldn't mind buying it separately at Apple premium. And I also hope they don't make it sound like this is a good thing for the customers because now they can choose what earbuds they want. That courage thing was a timeless gaffe... we don't need one more.

 

[I7guy]

It says that EU law require manufacturers of phones that they add a device that can allow users heads not to be exposed to radio waves, that's interresting

For the most part, I think this is a net positive.

 

[citysnaps]

Here we go again. Apple will say it is saving the planet.

Works for me. I certainly don't need another pair of EarPods going to landfill. Hat-tip to Apple!

 

[MacDevil7334]

How is this reducing packaging and environmental waste if I have to order a power supply or headphones from someone else and they have to ship it to me in a separate box through a separate carrier as part of a separate transaction?

I'm so tired of this feel-good nonsense that doesn't actually have a net positive at all. In fact, it's a net negative. Well done Tim.

For every person who needs an adaptor, I bet there are 5-10 who do not. We have now been through over well 10 years of smart phone ownership where many people trade in their old phone to Apple or their carrier when they upgrade. Most carriers don’t require the power adaptor at trade in. So, people keep accumulating adaptors. I believe the net effect is positive, even if the way Apple is going about it is lousy from a PR perspective. Apple could easily solve that problem by giving people who actually need an adaptor a voucher or discount if they buy at the same time as the phone.