Apple's iOS 14.2 beta did not mention "supplied headphones" in the iPhone box, fueling speculations the popular EarPods are no longer part of the package.
Apple's recent update, the iOS 14.2 beta, seems to intentionally omit the term "supplied headphones" in the iOS update code, mentioning only "headphones" instead, giving rise to speculations that the notable earpieces are not part of the iPhone 12 package anymore. Rumors about the non-inclusion of the EarPods in the iPhone 12 box started circulating when Apple released iOS 14.2 beta 2 for developers.
The move has a precedent. This year, the company also removed the power adapter from its Apple Watch box, indicating that the rumors about the non-inclusion of EarPods may also prove true. The source of the rumors apparently came from an iOS radio frequency exposure disclaimer found within the Settings that mentions safety warnings for the user on how to properly use the device and the included accessories. The full code of iOS 14.2 beta 2 that Apple released for developers now reads "To reduce exposure to RF energy, use a hands-free option, such as the built-in speakerphone, headphones, or other similar accessories." Since there was no mention of "supplied headphones," Apple fans say the iPhone 12 box may no longer include the EarPods.
In the past, mentions of headphones in all iOS update codes include the word "supplied," hence "supplied headphones." The deliberate removal of the term "supplied headphones" in the new iOS 14.2 beta 2 code, leaving only the word "headphones" suggests the company has no intention to "supply" headphones or EarPods with the iPhone 12 box.
“All prior mentions of headphones have included "supplied," & the deliberate elimination of the word in the new code strongly suggests has no plans to "supply" headphones w/ the upcoming iPhone 12 models.”
Not a smoking gun, but wouldn’t be surprised. https://t.co/mCHYBpgCqW — Nati Shochat (@natisho) September 29, 2020
Before the recent iOS 14.2 beta 2 that Apple released for developers, the RF Exposure menu states "To reduce exposure to RF energy, use a hands-free option, such as the built-in speakerphone, the supplied headphones, or other similar accessories." According to noted Apple observer, Ming-Chi Kuo, the company may not include the EarPods in the iPhone 12 box to improve sales of its AirPod. This observation was corroborated later by noted leaker @L0vetodream who also mentioned that the iPhone 12 box may no longer include both the "supplied headphones" and the wall charger. The leaker also said that this will apply not only to the iPhone 12 models but also to other models like the iPhone SE.
Rumors say that the scheduled launch of the iPhone 12 is in mid-October, though the more costly models may arrive in Apple stores in November. With the recent iOS 14.2 beta 2 update for developers that omitted "supplied headphones," indicating that the iPhone 12 box may not include the iconic EarPods, waiting customers may need to prepare themselves for the inevitable.
