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How Did This Get Here: Your iPhone : 1A Your new iPhone goes through a lot before you peel the plastic off and finally boot it up. Further Apple purchases might have to go through more thanks to the Trump administration's tariffs.

From its assembly, to its packaging, to its shipping, to stocking, to purchase, it's a long process. So, what does it actually look like? Why is this the way we do it? And what could be done to make things better?

This is our new series,"How Did This Get Here." We explore how goods make their way to us from overseas to our hands. This week we discuss iPhones.

Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Connect with us. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.

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How Did This Get Here: Your iPhone

How Did This Get Here: Your iPhone

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An attendee holds a new Apple iPhone 14 Pro during an Apple special event in Cupertino, California. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images hide caption

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Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

An attendee holds a new Apple iPhone 14 Pro during an Apple special event in Cupertino, California.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Your new iPhone goes through a lot before you peel the plastic off and finally boot it up. Further Apple purchases might have to go through more thanks to the Trump administration's tariffs.

From its assembly, to its packaging, to its shipping, to stocking, to purchase, it's a long process. So, what does it actually look like? Why is this the way we do it? And what could be done to make things better?

This is our new series,"How Did This Get Here." We explore how goods make their way to us from overseas to our hands, and how tariffs may affect those products.

What should you know about President Trump's tariffs? What impact could they have on some of your most relied-on items?

Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.