Highlights
- Apple has decided to stop including Apple stickers in the iPhone 16 retail boxes.
- Customers can still request them at Apple Stores.
- This move is aimed at Apple’s environmental goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2030.
We have come a long way from the first-generation iPhones. While the design has to be one of the noticeable changes, Apple has slowly moved away from a lot of things that were earlier Apple identifiers. Apple stickers tucked inside the retail boxes are one such thing and it looks like the Cupertino giant has finally decided to move away from them as well.
Yes, as sad as it may sound, Apple is removing one of the novelty items from the iPhone 16 box – Apple Stickers.
In a report, 9to5Mac confirms seeing messaging distributed to Apple Store teams this week where the brand confirmed that the iPhone 16 will not come with Apple stickers in the box.
However, the report also mentions that iPhone 16 buyers can request stickers at the Apple Store at the time of purchase if needed.
This basically means when you visit the Apple stores for the iPhone 16 series, you can request an Apple sticker from the counter. Otherwise, your new iPhone 16 box would not carry stickers like previous iPhones.
Buyers won’t get Apple stickers inside an iPhone 16 series box. (Image credit – AnotherApple)
To recall, there was a time when iPhone retail boxes were a complete brand introduction package. We have previously seen Apple bundling the iPhone stereo headset, the iconic 30-pin to USB-A cable, a charging brick, a charging dock, Apple stickers and also a cleaning cloth inside the box with the iPhone.
However, this may not be such a disappointment for users as one would assume and Apple has definitely done its research before taking the decision.
Earlier this year, Jon Gruber conducted a poll on X (previously Twitter) to check the mood of the internet on the question – Should Apple include stickers with new devices to reduce waste?
Caption – John Gruber’s X Poll results.
Thoughts on Apple no longer including stickers with new devices to reduce waste:https://t.co/N4u2sGAr5Q
— John Gruber (@gruber) May 11, 2024
The poll results were a clear indication that most consumers are actually okay with the idea of Apple not bundling the stickers in the retail boxes.
The trend of removing items from the iPhone box is old. It first caught attention when TF International’s well-known Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo made a surprising prediction in 2020 before the iPhone 12 was launched. Kuo predicted Apple would soon remove the charging brick and the EarPods from the box.
While the decision was met with criticism from experts and consumers alike, the one change made Apple save about $6.5 billion by the end of March 2022.
The decision to remove Apple strikers, although a setback for nostalgia merchants, should be welcomed. It is another step by the tech giant towards its environmental goals. Apple plans to become carbon neutral by 2030.
In similar efforts, Apple has also made iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro packaging entirely fibre-based this year. This brings the brand a step closer to removing all plastic from its packaging in the future.
Customers have already pointed out that stickers were missing this year from Apple Vision Pro, iPad Pro and iPad Air boxes as well.
iPhone 16 Key Spec
| Overview | iPhone 16 |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.1 inches, 60Hz refresh rate |
| Processor | A18 Chip |
| RAM | 8 GB |
| Storage | 128 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB |
| Rear Camera | 48MP Main + 12MP Telephoto + 48MP Ultrawide |
| Front Camera | 12 MP |
| Battery | 3561mAh |
FAQs
Why is Apple removing stickers from the iPhone 16 box?
Apple is removing Apple stickers to align with its environmental goals, including reducing waste and becoming carbon neutral by 2030.
Can customers still get Apple stickers with the iPhone 16?
Yes, customers can request Apple stickers at Apple Stores even though they are no longer included in the iPhone 16 retail boxes.
What items are no longer included in the iPhone 16 retail box?
Answer. The iPhone 16 retail box no longer includes Apple stickers. Customers can request them at Apple Stores if needed.
Why has Apple made changes to the iPhone 16 packaging?
Answer. Apple has made these changes to support its environmental goals, such as reducing waste and becoming carbon neutral by 2030. The packaging is now entirely fibre-based.
What did John Gruber Poll result show on the iPhone 16 stickers ?
John Gruber posted a poll on “X” in this May to judge what the users think about the impending end to finding stickers in the iPhone box. 62.5% voted with Apple that it was time to stop wasting the materials needed to make the stickers while 37.5% disagreed. When you just spent $800-$1,200 on a new phone, who cares about a sticker that probably cost Apple less than 5 cents to include in the box? I’d rather see Apple put the charging brick back in the box instead of leaving me with a sticker or two.
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