Screen Protector on New iPhone 16

I recently purchased a new iPhone 16 Pro from my local Verizon store. When I got home, I opened the box--it was completely sealed and I had to pull the tear strips from the top and bottom of the box that are built into the box to open it up.

To my surprise, the phone already had a screen protector on it. It's my understanding that no iPhones come with screen protectors. Why would mine have one? It doesn't make sense.

And, yes, it's an actual screen protector. I know because I peeled it off because I had bought a new one to put on it. It was not simply a protective cover for the packaging. It was a high quality screen protector.

I'd love information about why this might be the case.

Thank you!