The packaging for the new iPhone 16 will omit branded stickers bearing the Apple logo. An internal memo circulated to retail staff and reported by 9to5Mac confirms this packaging change.
Even without stickers in the box, customers who purchase an iPhone 16 in person at an Apple Store can still request stickers at the point of sale. Third-party retailers will not offer stickers separately, and sticker requests are not available for home delivery orders. This policy emphasizes a simpler, reduced-waste packaging approach while keeping a small, flexible option for in-store enthusiasts, notes 9to5Mac.
These adjustments align with Apple’s environmental strategy aimed at achieving carbon neutrality by 2030. Apple recently highlighted that the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro packaging will be crafted entirely from fiber, a move toward eliminating plastic from boxes as soon as next year. The shift to fiber packaging underscores a broader drive to minimize plastic use across the product ecosystem while preserving the unboxing excitement for customers, particularly in North American markets, according to Apple press materials.
Earlier this year, Apple announced that the Vision Pro mixed reality headset was the first device to skip the stickers. In May, updates for the iPad Pro and iPad Air arrived without included stickers as well. It remains unclear whether Apple will extend this sticker absence to other devices, including older iPhone models still available for purchase, per company disclosures.
Meanwhile, international tech news has touched on related brand movements with reports suggesting Meizu smartphones were positioned to enter the Russian market. This illustrates how packaging and branding choices can vary by region and product family as tech companies pursue sustainability goals alongside regional market strategies, notes regional trade briefings.