Latest alleged 'iPhone 7 Plus' packaging pic suggests option of bundled wireless 'AirPods'...

AppleInsider

Whether legitimate leaks or simple fakes, photos claiming to show the packaging for Apple's anticipated "iPhone 7" series continue to surface, with the latest shot suggesting some "iPhone 7 Plus" models could come bundled with new wireless earbuds dubbed "AirPods" [updated with a clearer picture].

The purported "iPhone 7 Plus" back of box was uploaded anonymously and sent to AppleInsider on Thursday. It shows the details for a 32-gigabyte handset model, but features one key difference from earlier leaks. Under a description of what's inside the box, the packaging claims the purchase is bundled with new "AirPods Wireless Earphones." Earlier leaks instead showed their units including new EarPods with Lightning Connector. Notably, the earlier photos also made mention of a Lightning to Headphone Jack Adapter being included in the box. But the latest image for a 32-gigabyte "iPhone 7 Plus" with "AirPods" makes no mention of a 3.5-millimeter headphone adapter being bundled.

Apple "AirPods" mockup via Twitter user Effah Hanie.

Such images, which include just plain text on white paper, are easily faked. But if legitimate, the images could indicate that Apple plans to expand its iPhone lineup this year to include different configurations with and without new wireless headphones. The company is rumored to debut a new set of completely wireless earbuds, featuring separate left and right earpieces with no wire between them. The product is believed to be named "AirPods," information known thanks to a regulatory filing that was uncovered earlier this week. It's been reported that the new "AirPods" will feature a proprietary Bluetooth chip developed from Apple's acquisition of Passif Semiconductor in 2013. That company was a specialist in power efficient chipsets.

The packaging leaks, if legitimate, suggest Apple might utilize a two-pronged attack to counter backlash against the elimination of the legacy 3.5-millimeter headphone jack. Options for bundled adapters (with Lightning EarPods) or completely wireless earbuds in the "iPhone 7" box could negate many user complaints. And the option of an "iPhone 7" with "AirPods" -- and without a Lightning to headphone adapter -- would appeal to users who are looking to ditch the wires entirely. Apple is set to host a media event next Wednesday, Sept. 7 where it is expected to take the wraps off of its next iPhone and any accompanying accessories. AppleInsider will be there live with full coverage of the event from San Francisco.

MacPro

I don't see Apple having some with and some without if this is true.

rogifan_new

Wouldn't surprise me if the Plus had the better camera plus better headphones. Sucks though that those who prefer the smaller size are stuck with an inferior phone. If the 4.7" phone gets OIS this year then I think it's safe to say space constraints aren't the reason the Plus gets better hardware first.

thewhitefalcon

rogifan_new said:

Wouldn't surprise me if the Plus had the better camera plus better headphones. Sucks though that those who prefer the smaller size are stuck with an inferior phone. If the 4.7" phone gets OIS this year then I think it's safe to say space constraints aren't the reason the Plus gets better hardware first.

Apart from Apple having had two years to shrink the camera module. 

tzterri

Hopefully it will also make phone calls :-/

dacloo

Yes! A phone I can't charge while listening to music, OR a phone with headphones I easily lose and need to recharge! 
And most likely an awesome dongle that I need to pack to connect my preferred headphones. 

levi

digitalclips said:

I don't see Apple having some with and some without if this is true.

This is a contradiction 

williamh

When the rumors started flying, my first reaction was sinmilar to Dacloo's.  At this point, I am totally cool with it.  1) I don't have any good wired earphones, just the Apple buds and similar, so ... who cares, and 2) I hardly ever use earphones with my phone at all.  I know a lot of you are avid music/podcast listeners but I suspect the majority don't often listen to anything on their phones and won't be impacted at all. Maybe with cool wireless buds they'll start using the phone for music?

lkrupp

dacloo said:

Yes! A phone I can't charge while listening to music, OR a phone with headphones I easily lose and need to recharge! 
And most likely an awesome dongle that I need to pack to connect my preferred headphones. 

You’ll get over it. You will accept it. In a few months you’ll forget all about it. Bitch to your heart’s content. It’s happening. What? Will your hissy-fit will cause you to switch to the POS that is Android? Really? Cut off your nose to spite your face?

TurboPGT

This has been hilariously fun.

Can't wait to find out what is actually in the box.

TurboPGT

thewhitefalcon said:

rogifan_new said:

Wouldn't surprise me if the Plus had the better camera plus better headphones. Sucks though that those who prefer the smaller size are stuck with an inferior phone. If the 4.7" phone gets OIS this year then I think it's safe to say space constraints aren't the reason the Plus gets better hardware first.

Apart from Apple having had two years to shrink the camera module. 

You're talking way over his head now.

wigby

dacloo said:

Yes! A phone I can't charge while listening to music, OR a phone with headphones I easily lose and need to recharge! 
And most likely an awesome dongle that I need to pack to connect my preferred headphones. 

Oh no. How am I going to get my floppy disks to work on this new iMac contraption? And what happened to the serial ports. Why did they replace it with USB?

It took me all of 3 minutes to adjust after uttering those words 18 years ago.

chazbcn

rogifan_new said:

Wouldn't surprise me if the Plus had the better camera plus better headphones. Sucks though that those who prefer the smaller size are stuck with an inferior phone. 

Yesterday's "leak" showed a purported iPhone 7 Plus insert card with included Lightning EarPods and adapter. So (if true), it seems that AirPods will be optional and not bundled with the 7 Plus by default.

TurboPGT

dacloo said:

Yes! A phone I can't charge while listening to music

To this point, that keeps being brought up by the trollest of trolls, I have to ask: What the hell is wrong with your phones that it needs to be charged while listening to music?

I don't want to charge my phone while listening to music. Apple managed to solve this like 10 years ago when Music Playback battery life soared past 24 hours.

jmgregory1

I wasn't going to get the new 7+, given I've been completely satisfied with the 6S+, but I'll jump on the 7+ if that is the only way to get the new AirPod headphones.  I've been waiting for Apple to get back into making BT headsets and this may just what I've been hoping for.

chazbcn

If true, this is good news. It makes more sense that Apple includes (for an extra price, sure) wireless AirPods, if they want to push wireless headphones adoption.
Charging the phone and listening to music will not be possible anymore and it's an inconvenience most of us would deal with on a daily basis. At least it seems Apple will offer a wireless option out of the box. 
I guess how much extra will they charge for those. My bet is 100$ just as with storage tiers.

rogifan_new

TurboPGT said:

dacloo said:

Yes! A phone I can't charge while listening to music

To this point, that keeps being brought up by the trollest of trolls, I have to ask: What the hell is wrong with your phones that it needs to be charged while listening to music?

I don't want to charge my phone while listening to music. Apple managed to solve this like 10 years ago when Music Playback battery life soared past 24 hours.

Just because you don't want to do it doesn't mean it isn't valid. A lot of people listen to music or watch video while charging their device. Apple Music is a drain on my battery. I don't think it's unreasonable to expect to not lose functionality when upgrading a device. 

mac_128

digitalclips said:

I don't see Apple having some with and some without if this is true.

Why not? Look at all the SKUs Apple currently manages, between the iPads in 4 colors, with and without LTE, and the watches in particular with 8 different colors, numerous bands, and 2 sizes ... And then perhaps the most direct comparison, iMacs with wireless keyboard and mouse or wired.

Apple can certainly manage adding AirPods vs. EarPods. Not everyone is going to want AirPods, which are surely going to increase the price of the phone substantially. So if Apple really puts any AirPods in the box, they will absolutely offer a cheaper alternative.

So yes, this is totally plausible.

ireland

Apple don't leave a penny on the table. This has to be fake.

nolamacguy

rogifan_new said:

If the 4.7" phone gets OIS this year then I think it's safe to say space constraints aren't the reason the Plus gets better hardware first.

it's not safe to say that at all, unless you're an electrical engineer working within the Apple stack, which i doubt you are. Apple and its suppliers are great at miniaturization and it wouldn't surprise me at all if they've learned to make them small enough to fit into the smaller case. 

but I know, you love to pitch the sinister moustache-twirling narrative. 

jensonb

Who gets access to a package containing an eagerly anticipated new product, and decides to photograph...Only the sticker detailing the contents, or the logo on the side of the box?

I'm not saying these leaks are definitely fake...But it's a bit weird.