Other iPhone Box Collection Obsession

[rafaelclaycon]

So I have this iPhone box collection going from the 3GS all the way to the 12. I did not have every single of these models (not accessible here in Brazil), but I'm kind of obsessed with the little variations Apple made with the 4s and 6, for example.

Did you know the iPhone 6 was sold in a different box after the 7 was released? Did you know the 4s had at least 3 box variations depending on the current iOS version (5, 6 and 7/8/9 AFAIK)? Examples attached.

Yeah, OCD is probably at play here. Anyways, does anyone have a link to all possible variations? I don't plan on collecting every single one, just the ones I find pretty.

Thanks!

 

[eyoungren]

Did you know the 4s had at least 3 box variations depending on the current iOS version (5, 6 and 7/8/9 AFAIK)?

Back in 2016 I was looking to give my son a used iPhone for his birthday. A member here sold me a 4s (8GB) for $20. The thing about the 8GB is that it was released well after the initial launch of the 4s. I wanted my son to have as close as I could get to NIB. So, I hunted down original earpods, cable, charger and the insert instructions/warranty and the Apple stickers.

The problem was the box. All I could find that was period correct (iOS version) for the 4s was a 32GB box. He was happy to get the phone anyway. He did so well with it that I got him a new SE in 2017. He has that box.

 

[Andeddu]

I make sure I keep all the boxes for my iPhones so that when they get retired after 2-3 years, they can go back in there and into my storage cupboard.

Yes, the boxes are very pretty and I have noticed variations between the same models too such as my black SE box being physically smaller than my gold SE box.

 

[rafaelclaycon]

I make sure I keep all the boxes for my iPhones so that when they get retired after 2-3 years, they can go back in there and into my storage cupboard.

Yes, the boxes are very pretty and I have noticed variations between the same models too such as my black SE box being physically smaller than my gold SE box.

Is there any logical explanation for the difference in box size? Sorry, old thread, but damn that’s interesting hahaha

 

[Andeddu]

Is there any logical explanation for the difference in box size? Sorry, old thread, but damn that’s interesting hahaha

I think they were simply trying to go down the sustainability route and were using as little cardboard as possible. The box had the exact same items in it but packed in a smaller container. The larger box is from an SE made in 2016 and the smaller box was from an SE made in 2017.

These days boxes are now less than half the size they used to be as iPhones are no longer packaged with chargers.

 

[rafaelclaycon]

Oh yes! I feel conflicted about it because the leaner box is very nice but no charger is just consumer hostile.

 

[Andeddu]

Oh yes! I feel conflicted about it because the leaner box is very nice but no charger is just consumer hostile.

Completely agree. It was just an excuse to cut costs as Apple removed the charger, reduced the box size, but did not pass the saving onto the consumer.

 

[rafaelclaycon]

Apple should go the Samsung route here in Brasil and just give customers a free 20 W charger if they ask for one. We all know not including the charger is not about the environment, it's about profit. Let people choose.

 

[Torty]

Oh yes! I feel conflicted about it because the leaner box is very nice but no charger is just consumer hostile.

Agree. Especially with this new USB-C thing. They should have included a charger to use their included cable.

 

[Jackbequickly]

I got like 10-12 boxes, you can have them if you just pay shipping.

 

[IAlberta]

I noticed the differences several years ago however never gave it much thought..

For your viewing pleasure the ...... 2008 & 2009 iPhone 3G (8GB) boxes

 

[MultiFinder17]

Speaking of boxes, I still have what is likely the rarest iPhone box. My first iPhone was the original 4GB iPhone that they only sold for about two months when it first launched in 2007. Little bugger was a great phone for several years and now serves as the linchpin of my collection

 

[MisterSavage]

I thought this was going to be a snotty post about people who keep them. I can't throw mine away!

 

[ian87w]

Wow, I didn't remember the 6 has the iPhone picture on it. I could've remembered that it was only a white emboss of the iPhone outline.

Edit: yeah, like this

I thought it was quite neat and ultra minimalist. I guess there are variations of it.

 

[honglong1976]

Speaking of boxes, I still have what is likely the rarest iPhone box. My first iPhone was the original 4GB iPhone that they only sold for about two months when it first launched in 2007. Little bugger was a great phone for several years and now serves as the linchpin of my collection

View attachment 2111554 View attachment 2111553 View attachment 2111555 View attachment 2111556

I had the same one and dock.

Brings back some memories. It was the first time I used a phone and thought, this is going to change everything! And it did.

 

[rafaelclaycon]

Wow, I didn't remember the 6 has the iPhone picture on it. I could've remembered that it was only a white emboss of the iPhone outline.

Edit: yeah, like this

I thought it was quite neat and ultra minimalist. I guess there are variations of it.

There certainly are! After the 6 stopped being the hot new thing, they went with a much plainner box.

 

[IAlberta]

Over the years I've only had these 6 iPhones.... 3G 4S 5 6+ 8+ 11.. Rather than buy a new phone every year I'd buy a different case (or 3), swap it on the phone and it was my "new" phone for the following year..

 

[rafaelclaycon]

Over the years I've only had these 6 iPhones.... 3G 4S 5 6+ 8+ 11.. Rather than buy a new phone every year I'd buy a different case (or 3), swap it on the phone and it was my "new" phone for the following year..
View attachment 2111640

Nice “ease in and out” of generations. Never waited too long, only made the jump quickly when phone innovation was red-hot.

 

[rafaelclaycon]

The 8 box is just *chef's kiss* Specially the Gold one.