The evolution we are experiencing in different categories of mobile phones not only divides them according to price and quality of hardware and software, but there is also another aspect that distinguishes the two extremes in the brands’ catalogs: packaging of phones and what they contain.

Do you also have the feeling that we lose the accessories that come in the packaging of every new mobile phone you buy? Like this: Manufacturers gradually reduce the contents of the boxes in order to reduce these boxes. According to her kitty expression. With the collateral damage of losing the headphones first, then the charger. Interestingly, this relationship between mobile phones and accessories has left its mark on the sales category.

The other way.

The latest victim of accessory reduction: the screen protector

POCO X5 Pro and everything included in the box (with screen protector)

Eliminating headphones was the beginning, at least in the highest smartphone range. As always, Apple was the first brand worldwide to adopt the strategy of eliminating headphones found in every mobile phone; strategy followed by the remaining manufacturers: first on their top-end smartphones, then on most mid- and low-end smartphones. It’s currently very rare for a mobile phone to come with a headset. You can give these in the first days of launch. It helps to distribute accessories to encourage impulsive buying.

OK, I can understand why headphones stopped shipping with the phone, especially after removing the 3.5mm port in general (thanks again Apple). What about the charger? I confess that I don’t quite understand why the charger is not included with the mobile phone I paid a good thousand euros for it. Even more. On the other hand, at the mid-range you spend three hundred and it comes along. Not only that.

They even give you a case for mid-range and entry-level phones.

I am curious: Shouldn’t they protect those who invest the most in a brand? Since the most expensive mobile phones are the ones with the highest profit margins, it is also the sector where it is most difficult to gain user loyalty, especially when it comes to Android. And that’s exactly where they cut the most: I hope I don’t want to have to reserve the phone as soon as it arrives to get a free charger. I would like the manufacturer to include it as standard in the box, especially if it sells me that its product has fast charging.

OK, to make shipping more profitable, the packages are smaller and do not include headphones or chargers, because this way resources are not wasted on accessories that we (supposedly) all have at home. For this reason they don’t deliver them with the cheapest mobile phones either. Worse still: why don’t we buy a mobile phone case worth a thousand euros, but why do we buy a case worth three hundred euros? It turns out that it is okay to waste resources at the mid-level and entry level.

The more you spend on a mobile phone, the less you get in return: packaging has become so small It seems weird to even have a phone inside. And they no longer even come with the typical standard screen protector with which they protect the panel in transit; and was used to get by until you had a hardened guard (or more than enough for most people). Mobile phones like the Samsung Galaxy S24 have no protector or even a printed page. USB cable and go. Minimum to comply with legislation.

No charger, but USB cables are whatever you want.

If reducing packaging is “environmentally friendly” then let it be for everyone

What’s in the box of Samsung Galaxy S24 (without screen protector)

There are various strategies for selling different mobile categories. AND Ecology is an excellent argument for those with more purchasing powerThis is the main reason why the most expensive mobile phones are discounted to a minimum. The problem comes with the comparative complaint, because it does not make sense that an expensive mobile phone comes naked and a cheap mobile phone comes with a protector, case and charger. Something is wrong. And I, as a consumer, almost feel ripped off.

Think your customer already has a charger and therefore you save on manufacturing costs to deliver it in the box? It looks good to me, but gives you the option to order a separate charger if you really need it; With a price discount for those who buy a mobile phone without anything. What about the cover? All or nothing: As a customer I appreciate the manufacturer giving me a starter cover, then if I need it I’ll look for a better one.

Preservative seems excessive to me, The screen must be protected as standard against possible scratches during transportation..

We’ve finally gotten to the point where the category distinction can be seen in how bare-bones the product is being sold to you. What’s on your mobile phone, is that all? You have purchased a premium product range. What brings you to a cover? It shows that your budget is lower. It’s nonsense.

Cover image | Ivan Linares

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