Google originally planned on including premium ear buds with the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL

A gentleman by the name of Lucas Everett recently shelled out the necessary cash to purchase a Google Pixel 2 from Verizon. And guess what he found in the box. Yes, that's right. Inside the box was a Pixel 2, but that isn't the point. The box also contained a cut out for a pair of ear buds that never came with the phone. In addition, the "Inside the box" booklet that was included, uh, inside the box, made reference to the invisible earbuds, which did not actually come in the box.

The earbuds were supposed to connect to the phone via a Type-C USB port and had the same adjustable loop as found with the Google Pixel Buds. They also featured inline controls. As we pointed out, despite the accommodations for the accessory, and the written instructions that came in the box, there were no ear buds included. Also missing from the box was the USB Type-C to 3.5 mm headphone jack adapter that others did receive in the box along with their Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL.

A Verizon rep who works at the store where Lucas purchased his phone, said no other box that he has seen had that cut out inside. And late this afternoon, Google confessed that the box was an early design for the U.S. market. So Google was originally planning on joining Samsung and HTC by including premium ear buds in the box with its flagship phones. Something changed the company's mind, possibly the cost. Alas, we will never know. What we have confirmed though, is that great thought goes into the retail boxes that flagship models are sold in.


source: @lucaseverett via Droid-Life, AndroidPolice