In an effort to prove its commitment to the environment, Apple on Tuesday announced that all four of its new iPhone 12 models will ship without wired earbuds or a power adapter.
By using smaller, lighter boxes, the company can fit 70 percent more items on a shipping pallet, according to Lisa Jackson, VP of Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives. Since most customers are upgrading within the same ecosystem, they probably don't need another set of earbuds or a second adapter; there are more than 700 million EarPods with lightning connectors and 2 billion Apple power adapters in the wild, the firm said.
Despite increased manufacturing costs (thanks, 5G), the company is determined to keep pricing stable by eliminating add-ons. The move, bold as it may be, is not entirely new: Nintendo did the same thing for the 3DS XL when it launched in 2015.
Those who do need replacement accessories will have to buy them separately from the smartphone. To encourage or support such purchased, Apple is offering a $10 discount, as spotted by MacRumors: EarPods with Lightning connector and the new 20W power adapter for iPhone are available now in the Apple Store for $19 each. If you're looking for a premium alternative, the wireless AirPods and AirPods Pro cost between $159 and $249, while the new Beats Flex headphones come in four color options for $49.99.
Older models—including iPhone 11, XR, and SE—will also ship without EarPods and chargers. You won't have to scrounge for every accessory, though: The entire iPhone 12 lineup, from Mini to Max, does come with a Lightning-to-USB-C charging cable. Last month, Apple Watch Series 6 and Apple Watch SE launched sans power adapters in the box, too.