Apple has made plenty of changes to its iPhones over the years, but not all of them have gone over well with customers.
As people look back at older iPhone purchases, many remember when the devices came with extra accessories, including wired headphones and power adapters. Those once-standard additions have gradually disappeared from the box, leaving customers to purchase certain essentials separately. Now, as old orders resurface online, some users are expressing outrage over what they see as another example of ‘shrinkflation,’ especially as iPhone prices continue to rise. Read more about the Apple packaging discussion below.
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Apple Has Changed Its Included Accessories For iPhones Over The Years
Buying an iPhone has long been an exciting experience for many people, but now, many Apple users are upset by what the new phones come with in their packaging.
When Apple first introduced the iPhone, its packaging included several accessories designed to help customers get the most out of their new devices. Over the years, buyers grew accustomed to receiving items like wired EarPods, charging cables, and power adapters alongside their phones, making it easier to start using their purchases right away without spending extra money.
However, Apple reportedly began scaling back those included accessories in recent years. Starting with the iPhone 12 lineup in 2020, the company stopped including both EarPods and a power adapter in the box, citing environmental concerns and a desire to reduce packaging. While newer iPhones still include a USB-C or Lightning charging cable, depending on the model, customers generally have to buy a compatible power adapter and headphones separately if they need them.
Apple Users Slam Their Lack Of Added Accessories & Accuse Them Of 'Shrinkflation' On Social Media
As old iPhone orders from 2019 circulate online, some customers are comparing what they received with their purchases back then to what Apple includes today. The difference has sparked frustration among users who remember getting more for their money, particularly those who feel that removing accessories has not translated into lower prices for consumers.
The backlash has also reignited broader complaints about 'shrinkflation' in the tech industry, with some arguing that customers are paying more while receiving less.
"This one always hurts," commented a Reddit user.
"The best part is they took out the charger and earbuds to 'save the planet,' and then the price went up anyway," speculated another. "Now you buy the brick separately, and somehow that's the green choice."
"Removing the included earpods hurt, I will be honest," added another user.
"I have no problems with removing the charger or earbuds, but it should reflect in the price," wrote a user. "Even the cable could be optional; I have more than enough of those too."
"I buy that stuff from a separate company, so Apple can keep saying they are saving the planet," noted another.
