This archive report was first published on 30 June 2020.
On May 30, 2020, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo sparked a wave of speculation when he revealed that Apple was considering a major change to the iPhone 12's retail package.
According to Kuo's latest research note, Apple may be planning to remove the included earbuds and even the power brick from the iPhone 12's packaging. This move would not only reduce electronic waste but also help the company improve its margins.
As Kuo points out, the addition of 5G to the new iPhones has increased their manufacturing cost, but Apple plans to sell them at the same price as the 2019 models. By removing the earbuds and charger, the company can help offset this increased cost.
But what about the EU's push for a common charger compatible with all phones? Kuo notes that Apple's decision to include only a USB-C to Lightning adapter with the iPhone 12 models may actually solve this problem.
Meanwhile, the iPhone SE (2020) will continue to ship with a 5W charger, but this will be removed from the package later this year. However, a 12W charger will still be included with iPads.
Looking ahead, Apple is also planning to introduce a new 10.8-inch iPad model later this year, which will be a successor to the current 10.2-inch iPad or 10.5-inch iPad Air. A new iPad mini with an 8.5-inch screen is also in the works, but it won't be unveiled until next year.
