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I really fail to see how that reduces waste. New devices get purchased regardless; this just improves them slightly. Apple mostly doesn't expect people to actually buy a new one every year, with the exception of those who get the iPhone Upgrade Program (and even then, the old one doesn't get thrown away; Apple presumably sells it as refurbished).
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But rare earth resources are still being used to build new models...I am aware of the recycling program but still, there is a level of waste that is being produced.
 
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They may as well just ship the A14 chip. Everything else is the same anyway. That's a burnt Apple. 😂
 
Does anyone really think the product will be priced a cent less if Apple removes the Earpods? An item probably worth less than 1$ in material probably won't change the price of the whole set at all.
They’re not that cheap. Even the absolute cheapest earbuds on eBay cost more than a dollar and those are probably excess stock where someone is just trying to empty a warehouse as quickly as possible.

I think this is about waste. Too many of these end up in landfill without even being taken out of the packaging and the environmental cost to mine, manufacture and ship 200 million pairs of earbuds every year has to be significant.
 
Aren't mobile phones manufactures obliged to provide head phones with every device sold, according to the safe driving laws and regulations? I think in Europe that's the case.

As a European I never heard of such a law. Plus it doesn't make any sense since you can use any headphones and not just the ones included with with the phone.
 
I'm on my 8th iPhone (3G, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, XR and 11) and have never once used the included earbuds as they don't fit my ears. I switch between skullcandy buds (with the lightning to jack adapter) or BeatsX.

Apple presumably have the stats to show a majority of people now use wireless buds or headphones or 3rd party wired headphones with lightning support or via the adapter now rather than the included buds so it seems a reasonably sensible idea from an e-waste point of view as I imagine a lot of them are just getting thrown away.
 
From an environmental and e-waste reduction standpoint, I applaud this move. How many people actually use the bundled earphones anymore? A small fraction, I would wager. The EarPods that came with my 8+ are still in the box.
 
I'm fine with not having bundled earbuds due to their low quality, but the overall accessory package does matter. I was annoyed having to pay for the headphone adapter when I bought my iPhone XS, I felt it was a cheap thing for such a pricy phone. Adding the adapter and maybe for example a screen protector would be good added value items. Otherwise the price should be cheaper as you are getting a lower value overall package even if the phone is the main product.

If you ask me, the iPhone Pros at their current pricing could come with a set of AirPods in the box. I know Apple won't do it knowing their previous track record.
 
No surprise, cut backs are coming and price increasing most likely to counterbalance losses from virus.
 
I think Apple will do this next year. The two "Pro" models (13 Pro and 13 Pro Max) will not have any port from next year, thus no ear pods shipped in the box. After a few years from now, this portless medium will trickle down to all models, where one day even the next generations of iPhone SE won't have a lightning port and then totally phasing out wired earpods.
 
Next step, no charger or cable included in the box.

I don’t know how to feel about this, if it leads to lower prices then sure. We can buy accessories separately for the reduction in cost of the phone if we need them. But we all know that won’t be the case.

Nintendo did it with the New 3DS, they said people probably already have one.
 
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Timmy putting in practice 'less is more'.

#1.) It’s really juvenile to refer to him as “Timmy” and uncalled for.

#2.) I suspect A large majority of consumers do not use the wired EarPods in the box, and it probably wouldn’t be that much of an issue if they stop including them. And I suspect I’m not the only one who feels that way if this rumor proves to be accurate.
 
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This is one of the dumbest rumor I’ve ever heard. People aren’t going to spend (at least) $159 on wireless headphones because free headphones aren’t included in the box. They’ll either using existing headphones they have or buy a cheap pair. People who want/can afford nicer headphones like AirPods will buy them regardless of what is/isn’t in the iPhone box.
 
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A better way to reduce that waste is to stop releasing new iPhone or iWatch models every year that don’t offer anything substantial to the line and force the consumers to learn to live with old and reliable devices for longer than one year. I mean seriously, how much did the average consumer’s life changed for the better with the release of iWatch 5, iPhone XS and 11? Or even iPhone 12 for that matter.

Most people don’t buy new iPhones every year and no one is being forced to either.
 
If they are adding 5G, 120hz, LIDAR, etc etc and not raising the price of the phone then ok. That stuff isnt cheap to add and maintain a profit margin. Apple still has to deal with Qualcomm for 5g modems, which means $$$$$.


I have 2-3 pairs sitting around anyway, so this is not overly concerning really. I would guess the vast majority of iOS users have a set lying around as when you trade in you dont have to return the accessories, and most used iPhones no one wants your used earwaxed up earbuds. Or their own wireless earphones of choice.

You can get a cheap set of lightning wired earbuds for a few bucks if you really want them too. Apple's were bargain basement sound quality anyway like any other $10 pair.
 
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