Ultimately whatever greenwashing Tim and the gang claim, this is petty meanness by Apple. They should be putting 18w fast chargers into all of their iOS products given the eye watering prices they charge.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
iOS 14.2 Suggests Apple Won't Include EarPods in the Box With iPhone 12
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I use the 5W charger and I use the earbuds.
However, they are usually secondary for me. I leave the 5W charger at my office for example, and I keep an set of the earbuds in my car for when I go shopping.
I find the earbuds are way better than the $15 earbuds you usually find at the department store and they come with the Lightning plug these days already too. As for the charger, it always works and is safe, as opposed to many of the $15 no-name chargers you find for sale.
But like I said, I’d be fine without either of them with lower pricing. I think what Apple will do instead is raise the base storage.
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: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
When you become an earbud company you have to do whatever it takes to sell earbuds.
[automerge]1601418618[/automerge]
All about margin on the iPhone and selling the AirPods which has become their core business.
The CHEAP KNOCK OFF Dollar Store "Ear Buds" are HORRIBLE at best. I have used the supplied Apple Ear Buds with all of my iPhones and even iPods for many years. The sound reproduction and quality of the Apple Ear Buds are superior to any of the CRAP sold in cheap discount stores. I for one am disappointed that Apple is using this as an Environmental Propaganda opportunity. They are BETTER than that, but I guess every dollar saved helps to pad Tim Cook's nest egg. Apple is WRONG to eliminate the Apple Ear Buds and the Apple Charger from the new iPhone 12 product line. The customers will just have to purchase such items from another source, probably NOT Apple. I hope Tim Cook doesn't gag on his newfound revenue source, but maybe getting a NEW Apple CEO would be a GOOD thing. Very Disappointing Apple.
The rationale is that the large majority of people won’t need to do this. How many people don’t already own at least one set of headphones or earbuds that are compatible with an iPhone?
You know what’s the annoying thing? Everyone says yeah great job Apple for removing items everyone has but Apple will NOT drop the cost of the package with fewer items. You’re getting LESS for more money AND cheering for it. Ridiculous.
Removing the wasteful and unwanted EarPods will help, even if just a bit, subsidize the LiDAR sensor, a relatively costly unit.
Apple would have to be incredibly stupid including EarPods at this point in time.
In the end, removing EarPods will help keep Apple's very reasonable 38% GPM / 21% NPM in check. A good move.
Their made up arguments are ********.
most people don’t have a 10W USB-C charger yet,so it would make sense to include one.
most people don’t have a 10W USB-C charger yet,so it would make sense to include one.
Every time I run into one of those 5W adapters around my house, I toss it. They keep multiplying - the kids plug them in and I throw them away. They have real chargers but get lazy and don’t want to grab them.
EarPods are still in the original boxes, back to my iPhone 4.
let ‘em go. No loss in my book. Less waste in landfills. More iPhones per cargo plane. Win for everyone.
EarPods are still in the original boxes, back to my iPhone 4.
let ‘em go. No loss in my book. Less waste in landfills. More iPhones per cargo plane. Win for everyone.
BS. Apple has just started including a 10W USB-C charger with the iPhone 11 Pro. So many people don’t already have one.
Charging with the old 5W takes forever.
I own a XS Max so if they courageously don’t include a 10W charger I will have to go out and buy one.
Already saw it and do not agree. Apple sources in large volumes. They can take the hit. What have they removed from the iPad with equivalent sensor?
iPhone 12, comes with a box, and that’s it! No charger, no headphones, and no phone!
The ultimate in environmental responsibility, everybody already has a smartphone, just open up the box, take the Apple stickers and put them on your car, and know that you’re saving the planet!
The ultimate in environmental responsibility, everybody already has a smartphone, just open up the box, take the Apple stickers and put them on your car, and know that you’re saving the planet!
They can take the hit? So funny! Would you be willing to take a small hit on your paycheck?
If you *really* need some EarPods, simply purchase them. Easy.
Whether or not the change is because of environmental or economic reasons the fact is that this will save a lot of emissions and e-waste which is something to be applauded. Allowing the option of getting a free charger or headphones if requested won't work because a lot of people will ask for them 'because they're free' and then chuck them in a drawer, unused as before. I like the idea of providing a discount so you still have to pay say $5-10 for each as this will weed out those who just want a freebie.
Headphones are something so common now. It's widely accepted that the earpods aren't very good (although I'm sure people like them) so to me it's a no brainer to source your own - that way you can decide whether you want cheapo buds that just make noise or high end noise cancelling over-ear units and use them with this and subsequent phones (and other devices). The same with the charger - you will may have to stump up a bit of cash, but you have the freedom to get a multiport charger, or one that will charge your phone and laptop at the same time and again, use it with future devices.
Headphones are something so common now. It's widely accepted that the earpods aren't very good (although I'm sure people like them) so to me it's a no brainer to source your own - that way you can decide whether you want cheapo buds that just make noise or high end noise cancelling over-ear units and use them with this and subsequent phones (and other devices). The same with the charger - you will may have to stump up a bit of cash, but you have the freedom to get a multiport charger, or one that will charge your phone and laptop at the same time and again, use it with future devices.
I'm glad the 11 Pro Max came with the 18w USB C charger. I've got this on my desk right now.
As far as the wired headphones - I much prefer my AirPods ... whenever I can. But sometimes, during very long work conference calls, I'll pull out the wired headset and use those.
It is amazing how much discord is being generated over a tiny charging cube and a pair of headphones. I'm sure the people in charge of marketing at Apple have spent countless hours pouring over the numbers and possibilities - how this would affect sales figures.
That said, this is a rumor.
Also, once you go wireless (AirPods) it is very difficult to go back to wired.
As far as the wired headphones - I much prefer my AirPods ... whenever I can. But sometimes, during very long work conference calls, I'll pull out the wired headset and use those.
It is amazing how much discord is being generated over a tiny charging cube and a pair of headphones. I'm sure the people in charge of marketing at Apple have spent countless hours pouring over the numbers and possibilities - how this would affect sales figures.
That said, this is a rumor.
Also, once you go wireless (AirPods) it is very difficult to go back to wired.
Then surely you already have a set of Earpods you are happy with? Why do you need another set with your next phone? I can't see many people wanting a used set of EarPods if you were to sell your current phone on and I don't think you need to include the headphones if you trade it in.
Apple takes the hit to foster good customer service in other areas. They do not data mine like google for example even when they have the perfect opportunity to do so. Let us not pretend. No price drop after removing components? Just say you own stocks but from a consumer standpoint it’s ********.
Again I will ask you. What has Apple removed from the iPads that ship with Lidar?
The fact is, is that the motive for no earpods and no power adapter decisions have nothing to do with the environment. The individuals who signed off on this know that, some of us know, and the rest don't want to know. The environmental reason is for public relations, aimed at us to feel good about this decision and the company.
Fine with me. I have a lot of USB-A and USB-C chargers and cables. Also, the included Apple corded earbuds are not comfortable for me. I use 3rd party ones that are more comfortable or wireless earbuds.
The Apple pack-in EarPods have easily been my favorite wired headphones ever since they changed the contours of the ear piece some years back. The sound is great and they have an iconic look to boot.
I will miss getting a new pair with each purchase, but I already have a pair and they aren’t terribly expensive, so I hope Apple will continue to sell them stand-alone.
I will miss getting a new pair with each purchase, but I already have a pair and they aren’t terribly expensive, so I hope Apple will continue to sell them stand-alone.
I think it would be more accurate to say: The motivation for no EarPods and no power adapter was not primarily motivated by the environment. Businesses operate to make $ primarily.
No problem if they remove them AND drop the price. Those who want to buy after can.