iPhone 13 Models Still Include EarPods in the Box in France

[MacRumors]

All four iPhone 13 models still ship with EarPods in the box in France due to a law in the country that requires all smartphones to include a "hands-free kit" in order to protect children under 14 years of age from potential electromagnetic radiation.

Photo shared by MacRumors forum member Recklessss​

Apple's website in France confirms the inclusion of EarPods with a Lightning connector with all iPhone 13 models sold in the country, as was the case with iPhone 12 models. To accommodate this, Apple ships the iPhones in two boxes in France, with the standard iPhone box placed inside a larger white box that contains the EarPods.

Starting in October 2020, Apple stopped including EarPods and a charger in the box with all new iPhones that it sells. The company said omitting these accessories helps to reduce carbon emissions and avoids the mining and use of rare-earth elements. Apple added that many customers have switched to wireless headphones like AirPods. Outside of France, all new iPhones only include a Lightning to USB-C cable in the box.

Apple continues to sell EarPods separately, with pricing set at $19 in the United States.

Article Link: iPhone 13 Models Still Include EarPods in the Box in France

 

[HeavenDynamic]

Incredible, the law hasn't change in 11 months

 

[Joe_]

It must be a slow news day at MacRumors. It’s required by law, and this was in affect for a while now.

 

[macduke]

LOL @ France for thinking that kids make phone calls.

 

[Edsel]

France will next declare that the EarPods cable is a choking hazard and require EarPods Pro instead.

 

[4743913]

It must be a slow news day at MacRumors. It’s required by law, and this was in affect for a while now.

as someone who doesn't really follow what goes on in France, Im glad they pointed this out. but it's weird that france would want earpods instead of a charger.. if ya gonna pass a law, make it a useful one..

 

[jayducharme]

So the iPhone itself doesn't emit any electromagnetic radiation? I wonder how many of those EarPods wind up in landfills.

 

[DMG35]

I honestly forgot they ever included them.

 

[Analog Kid]

It seems ewaste is an argument that comes and goes depending on the underlying agenda...

 

[fenderbass146]

so stupid lol.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Love it!
Still use wired EarPods every day

Great super low/no latency and high quality microphone

Love my AirPods, but wired wins for critical communication

 

[Analog Kid]

France will next declare that the EarPods cable is a choking hazard and require EarPods Pro instead.

I wouldn't be surprised if the original name for the Starlight color was Champagne until someone in the room realized, "Oh wait: France..."

 

[alexandr]

France will next declare that the EarPods cable is a choking hazard and require EarPods Pro instead.

that would be a great plan, but kids could swallow them!

 

[satchmo]

Love it!
Still use wired EarPods every day

Great super low/no latency and high quality microphone

Love my AirPods, but wired wins for critical communication

It also wins with physical buttons on the cord to change the volume.
None of this Siri ****.

 

[ececlv]

Europe: Switch to USB-C to reduce electronic waste. Also include wired headphones even if they are unwanted.

 

[Mr. Dee]

It must be a manufacturing bug. 😄

 

[alpi123]

It must be a slow news day at MacRumors. It’s required by law, and this was in affect for a while now.

Maybe read again?
"iPhone 13 Models STILL Include..."
They already posted about the law last year.

 

[6787872]

It must be a slow news day at MacRumors. It’s required by law, and this was in affect for a while now.

from the first sentence in the article:

due to a law in the country

but then i suppose actually reading the article is beyond you.

 

[phrogpilot]

Isn’t the speakerphone technically a ”hands-free kit”?

 

[BaracksPhallusPalace]

I'm curious what "rare-earth" elements are used in the EarPods... internally they aren't any different than some cheap Chinese junk that you'd find on Amazon for $7. The fact that they still sell these in their stores and online tells me it wasn't about that at all, and more to save cost.

 

[B4U]

In other news, Brazil is handing Apple another fine for not including the charger block with the iPhone 13 series. 🤔

 

[alexandr]

Isn’t the speakerphone technically a ”hands-free kit”?

well if you want your kid to be one of those people who use their speakerphone in public...

 

[rictus007]

So the iPhone itself doesn't emit any electromagnetic radiation? I wonder how many of those EarPods wind up in landfills.

I was thinking exactly that ….they are concerned about the electromagnetic radiation …. That is not going to change that much between having your phone next to your ear or at your hand ? I guess apple should pack a faraday helmet with every phone

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Well, people in France are lucky to have them.

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

We're expecting the iPhone to go portless in a year or two, right?

How are portless phones able to comply with this law? Are they just not legal in France, or are Airpods acceptable? It seems a little odd that the antennas in an airpod are acceptable while those in an iPhone are not...