Mike Peterson
Effective immediately, Apple isn't shipping EarPods or a 5W power adapter with any of the iPhone models that it sells itself, including the iPhone SE that was released in April 2020.
The company at its Oct. 13 keynote event announced a series of new environmental initiatives to reach a 100% carbon neutral footprint by 2030. Part of that, Apple VP Lisa Jackson explained, was removing the EarPods and power adapters from iPhone models.
But that doesn't just apply to the new iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro lineups. On Apple's website, the company indicates that it won't bundle headphones or charging bricks with the iPhone SE, iPhone 11, or iPhone XR.
"As part of our efforts to reach our environmental goals, iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini do not include a power adapter or EarPods. Please use your current Apple power adapter and headphones, or purchase these accessories separately," Apple writes on its website.
In addition to the absent accessories, Apple is also including its new USB-C to Lightning cable in the box to allow for better compatibility with USB-C charging hardware.
By Apple's phrasing, it appears that any new iPhone order made on Apple's site as of Oct. 13 won't include the ubiquitous accessories. Of course, the power adapter and headphones will still likely be available with iPhones sold by third parties, and it could take some time for the change to trickle down to retail stores and carriers.
Apple customers will be able to use their existing charging hardware to power up their devices, as well as third-party accessories. It's also worth noting that every Apple iPhone available on the company's storefront sports wireless charging.
Alongside the changes to the accessories, Apple now also offers a standalone 20W USB-C charging adapter for $19. First introduced with the iPad Air, the new adapter offers better charging speeds than the older 18W USB-C brick — but is cheaper.
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19 Comments
It seems that in some countries (at least for France), lightning Earphones are still in the box, probably for regulatory reasons.
As expected. Happy to see cable included as it breaks but power brick is not necessary.
I am in total agreement with this policy. It is environmentally sound and will reduce the growing piles of unused accessories. I myself have both chargers and ear pods from my iPhone 6 and iPhone 8 laying in a drawer along with the charger for my series 0 Apple Watch. I can only imagine what others have collecting dust or being thrown away. And for those who will rage about this... go suck on a rusted razor blade.
In the keynote Apple said they have shipped 2 Billion chargers so far, so by not shipping a charger will reduce the carbon footprint - fair enough, most people have standard USB chargers at home anyway, but by shipping new phones only with a USB-C cable, those ubiquitous chargers aren’t USB-C so $$$$ for Apple selling a USB-C charger with a percentage of purchases (and there goes the so called carbon footprint 🤔).