if it happens. There has to be more to this than we've talked about.
"You can use lightning audio with higher quality"
You can do this now if you want. Almost nobody wants to.
"Waterproofing"
Lots of waterproof devices with 3.5in
"Thinner"
iPod touch is thinner, has 3.5 in.
"Two speakers, don't need those small bluetooth speakers anymore"
Ok, maybe this is legit.
"More space for battery"
Okay, maybe this is legit, it we're talking about a significant increase
"We put microphones all the way around the device like the Amazon Echo for better Hey Siri activation"
Interesting
this is kind of how i look at it.
I'm not 100% against dropping 3.5mm port. if there's a legit, universally accepted standard to provide analogue audio in a new form factor that allows for the current wired ambquity of 3.5mm, than yes. Lets all agree to move forward with that new standard.
But thats not at all what Apple is doing. they're dropping a universal standard in favour of a proprietary, license based connector that isn't analogue and will require the components to convert audio to analogue to be included in the headset.
And yet, I have yet to hear a single, GOOD argument why they're doing this.
the only ones that make sense
1. So they can sell more adapters
2. so they can sell more MFI headphones and help push beats by dre
all the other arguments you've raised above are thoroughly easy to debunk. its not going to be to make it thinner because they could do that already (iPod). it wont be for waterproofing cause the 3.5mm jack is able to be waterproofed as is (many have done it). two bottom facing speakers make no sense. in such a small seperation, you're not going to really hear the stereo sound.
so what does it come down to? Apple wants to drop the .5c cost of adding the 3.5mm jack while able to collect more on selling MFI headphones.
thats as user hostile as it comes.