Supply Chain Rumors Reaffirm iPhone 7 Will Not Have Headphone Jack

[MacRumors]

Six weeks ago, Japanese website Mac Otakara reported that Apple is planning to remove the 3.5mm headphone jack on the iPhone 7 in favor of an all-in-one Lightning connector for both connectivity and audio output.

Adding fuel to the rumor, Chinese websites Anzhuo.cn [Google Translate] and Wei Feng [Google Translate] cite supply chain news from unnamed sources that reportedly confirm the controversial rumor is true.

Both websites claim the iPhone 7 will not have a headphone jack, and that Apple will release its own wireless Bluetooth headphones, but the unverified reports should be treated with caution until or unless additional sources verify these claims -- nevertheless, they do make for interesting discussion.

Mac Otakara's original report said Apple may release Lightning-equipped EarPods, and the company already offers Powerbeats 2, Solo2 and Studio wireless headphones through its Beats brand. Apple also introduced new MFi Program specifications in June 2014 that allow third-party manufacturers to create Lightning-equipped headphones, including the Philips Fidelio M2L and Fidelio NC1L.

Philips M2L are Apple-approved Lightning-equipped headphones​

The original report, which cited a "reliable source," also claimed the new same-sized Lightning connector will have a DAC, or digital-to-analog converter, for backwards compatibility with wired headphones using standard 3.5mm stereo jacks. A 3.5mm to Lightning adapter would be required.

The rumor has led to speculation that Apple could introduce wireless charging on the iPhone 7, as users would be unable to charge the smartphone and use Lightning-equipped headphones at once. On the contrary, there is always the real possibility this rumor is false and that Apple has no plans to ditch the headphone jack.

Would you prefer the iPhone 7 have a 3.5mm headphone jack or all-in-one Lightning connector? https://t.co/ZsmMqskbOB - MacRumors.com (@MacRumors) November 30, 2015

Should this rumor prove to be true, however, the decision will likely be as controversial as Apple's move to the Lightning connector over its legacy 30-pin dock connector. MacRumors ran a Twitter poll that showed 59% of 7,542 respondents preferred the 3.5mm headphone jack over an all-in-one Lightning connector.

Read more: Apple May Replace 3.5mm Headphone Jack on iPhone 7 With All-in-One Lightning Connector

Article Link: Supply Chain Rumors Reaffirm iPhone 7 Will Not Have Headphone Jack

 

[Spink10]

Fine with me!

 

[garirry]

I don't know if I'm the only one, but at this point I feel like I like when apple does bad decisions just to see what will be people's reactions.

 

[mj1108]

If anyone wants a 3.5mm jack, I am sure Apple will be happy to sell us an adapter (an iJack) for $49.99.

 

[xkmxkmxlmx]

If they ship it with an adapter, I have no problem with this.

 

[ElRojito]

I could see apple doing this but including an adapter with the phone because they know that everyone uses headphones with their phone. I'd be ok with it if it comes with the adapter and they're cheap to replace if lost

 

[eastamherstbias]

they better supply us with free headphones.....

 

[ghsDUDE]

Remember when everyone complained about the Lightning Connector? Now everyone loves it.

I'm sure no one will miss the 3.5mm headphone jack in 2-3 years.

 

[Itsedstech]

hopefully this brings the end of the "loose headphone jack" threads

 

[Daisy81]

Yuck this is the HTC G1 all over again.

 

[cmichaelb]

Until Sony makes lightning in ear buds, I'll be pissed.

 

[sam2428]

People also complained when Apple removed the optical disk drive. I sure don't miss mine...

Look to the future people.

 

[KylePowers]

Quite progressive. I've used stereo bluetooth earphones for years, so I don't really care; but I'm also not an audiophile or someone who listens to music via earphones for 8+ hours (the battery life of my earphones).

It'll be interesting to see what they bundle with the phone and how much they'll push their bluetooth Beats line (or if they release a corded lightning line)

 

[TC03]

If the iPhone will be thinner than the 6, it will not have a 3,5 mm port, plain and simple.

I don't think this is that bad though. It's not like you're switching headphones every day.

 

[nope7308]

I rather replace the iPhone. Wireless headphones sound terrible, and I can barely grasp the paper-thin iPhone 6 as-is.

Your move, Tim.

 

[gyang333]

Remember when everyone complained about the Lightning Connector? Now everyone loves it.

I'm sure no one will miss the 3.5mm headphone jack in 2-3 years.

Unless it comes with two lightning ports (and you can't short it out by plugging both ends of one lighting cable into both ports) this is not like the time they went from the 30 pin to lightning because now you can't listen to music and charge your phone at the same time which I think many do in the car via the aux cable.

 

[Michael Goff]

Will we finally get Bluetooth earbuds that last 12+ hours?

I rather replace the iPhone.

Your move, Tim.

I'm assuming you either have expensive headphones or nothing that ties you to iOS. Otherwise, I'm wondering why.

 

[Daisy81]

This is what is in store for the iPhone 7. Why is this all of a sudden good because Apple did it even though it is still a horrible idea.

 

[logicstudiouser]

If macrumors still had the negative button, I'd want to click it 1000 times on this rumor!

 

[cclloyd]

If iPhone had USB-C then I would consider it. But I don't want lightning specific headphones/adapters.

 

[Robstevo]

Ridiculously stupid move that has zero benefit for the consumer but makes another cash cow for Tim and his cronies.

I'm sure apple would love to sell 50 dollar adapters and all that juicy lightning licensing money.

 

[4jasontv]

People also complained when Apple removed the optical disk drive. I sure don't miss mine...

Look to the future people.

I remember when Apple removed the optical drive and replaced it with a proprietary system that no one else used. Oh wait, no, that's nothing like what happened. The optical drive was lost to the Internet & USB. Audio jacks survived because they have remained useful. Please tell me how Bluetooth solves the problem, but don't do it over BT 4, because I might not hear you.

 

[SockRolid]

Six weeks ago, Japanese website Mac Otakara reported that Apple is planning to remove the 3.5mm headphone jack on the iPhone 7 in favor of an all-in-one Lightning connector for both connectivity and audio output.

​

​

Good. Riddance.

 

[lordofthereef]

If anyone wants a 3.5mm jack, I am sure Apple will be happy to sell us an adapter (an iJack) for $49.99.

Would likely be closer to $10-20. Otherwise I agree lol

 

[Flow39]

Looks like I won't be buying the next iPhone.