Unboxing iPhone 16 Pro Max and Apple Watch Series 10

Let’s see if Apple’s Journal app picks up on today’s unboxing and recommends a post about it. While we always consider ourselves to have paid for the device itself, some of our money goes towards the packaging—and it’s amazing how well Apple does it.

It might seem like bragging about one or two boxes is a bit of an exaggeration, but that’s okay. Apple’s ever-shrinking packaging isn’t a random addition, it’s always been meticulously designed to use as little material as possible while remaining strong enough to survive shipping around the world.

Apple, of course, talks about the environmental impact of how it reduces packaging. To that end, 2024 is also significant, as Apple aims to eliminate plastic packaging entirely by 2025.

Then there’s the direct logistical benefit of creating smaller packages. That means more iPhones and Apple Watches can fit into an airplane’s cargo hold or a shipping container.

But while there’s a lot to be said for Apple’s packaging, it’s just nice to see what you’re getting. So take a look at unboxing the iPhone 16 Pro Max and Apple Watch Series 10 on a cloudy day in an English garden.

From top to bottom: unboxing your Apple device, taking your iPhone out of the box, and turning it on for the first time

Top to bottom: Unboxing the Apple Watch Series 10 and watch band

Note the black packaging around the Apple Watch Series 10 itself, on the left side of the box. That’s the only criticism Apple Insider Apple packaging because it’s the only part that’s easy to tear.

It looks like the packaging is a sleeve and that the Apple Watch should slide out of it. Instead, the sleeve is so tight that when you try to free the Apple Watch, it tears.

Now you know how Apple packages its latest devices. You probably guessed it, since it’s not noticeably different from last year, but at least now you know.

And if anyone notices you looking at unboxing photos, tell them. Apple has a section where employees spend most of their time opening boxes.

That’s also true. It’s called the “packing room” and for years it was a secret. It was a secret because Apple didn’t want anyone to know how much effort went into designing the boxes.