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I don't mind this too much. I pretty much already exclusively use bluetooth headphones, and with the new powered USB 3 connector, I can hook up the iPhone 7 to a proper DAC for high end listening with my full size headphones. I'd consider the lack of a headphone jack to be nothing more than a mild inconvenience.
 
Lol, and ALL of these people oddly refuse to use the included adapter to happily continue using their fancy headphones??
The idea of that insanely easy fix is SO abhorrent to these "several people" that they'd rather repurchase all their apps & adapt entirely to a different OS??
Wow, what a bunch of drama queens!!

I've had an iPhone since the first model and having to use an adapter for it (at the time no other audio plugs were thin enough to fit) was a huge pain. I have many pairs of earphones but I had only one adapter as they were expensive. So I often forgot to bring it places.

I wouldn't really mind so much if there was a good reason to move away from the 3.5mm jack. But there isn't.
 
I was referring to the customer backlash aspect of it. Too many people rely on the 3.5mm jack in their phones.

Oh I know what you meant. But that particular adapter did one thing only, it took the same signal, and allowed headphones with plugs too big for the iPhone hole to be used. And I think Apple charged something like $10+ for theirs. It was a completely pointless thing to do, and although there was seemingly a rational explanation for it (Apple was concerned that larger headphones would put too much strain on the connector), the better solution was to re-engineer it so that any headphones could be used.

This is something completely different. Apple is likely introducing new HQ audio capability along with iTunes support, which is one way to spin it. They're probably going to release an industry defining set of bluetooth headphones and earbuds. They're likely going to give away Lightning earbuds that are higher quality than those most people currently use. Adapters will likely enhance the quality of the audio most current users are getting (another marketing point), and Apple will make them reasonably affordable and elegantly styled to be virtually invisible. Lightning headphones will include things like noise cancellation without bulky batteries, and other digital controls not possible with the analogue jack. In other words, so many more options to using the 3.5mm headphone jack than the original iPhone situation. And Apple will have to spin this. And my guess is they will introduce some new exciting feature that they can use to justify reclaiming the space of the old jack.

So yes, there will be some backlash, but isn't there always? You say "Too many people rely on the 3.5mm jack in their phones", but I'll bet Apple has a pretty good idea just how many people that is, and in particular, how many that are using their flagship phones -- because that's all this change initially affects in the first year. And, it might only affect the base 7 customers, and not the Plus customers, thus driving upgrades (though I bet Apple will eliminate it across the lineup to drive wireless adoption). The SE and iPhone 6 will still have 3.5mm jacks for the low end customers who probably use the headphone jacks the most because they can't afford BlueTooth headphones, much less new high end headphones. But the high end Flagship customers may not be as attached to them.

And the backlash may be short lived as other phone makers start dropping the headphone jack to make room for other features too in order to stay competitive with Apple, at least at the flagship level. So Apple sort of has this covered for the people who absolutely can't afford to make the transition -- and there's yet another explanation for the cheapest iPhone Apple ever offered also being almost as functionally featured as the most expensive phone. And for everyone else, it may not be that big of a deal. Certainly not as big a deal as having to buy an adapter simply because their plug wouldn't fit.
 
Still don't understand the need to remove the headphone jack. Touch still has one at 6.1mm, that's plenty thin.

It's one thing to remove things that are past their time or whatever, like the floppy drive... But there are literally *billions* of devices with 3.5 jacks. It just strikes me as more means to bilk customers.
 
Except this isn't a legacy connector, it is still very current and there is no real replacement for it that is better. I use mine all the time, and I do not want to have to carry around another ***** adapter for something that used to just work. I just bought a 6S 128GB, and I may be keeping it for a lot longer for this reason.

Out of curiosity...
Since most people that have a nice expensive set of headphones use a SINGLE pair- what is your issue with leaving the adapter on the headphones & forgetting it's there?
Also- you say you're not willing to carry "another" adapter... do you mind listing the myriad adapters that you are apparently currently forced to carry around that have put you in your foul mood??
 
Lol, and ALL of these people oddly refuse to use the included adapter to happily continue using their fancy headphones??
The idea of that insanely easy fix is SO abhorrent to these "several people" that they'd rather repurchase all their apps & adapt entirely to a different OS??
Wow, what a bunch of drama queens!!
Included adapter? Apple hasn't included anything but their 3.5mm headphones since about the iPhone 3G...
 
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Woof. I'm going to need all 5 months to get used to that thing...

I surely hope the iPhone 7 doesn't look anything like in the image. Looks absolutely terrible to me ... here's to hoping the image is fake!

I also agree that the smart connectors likely won't be for a keyboard.

It looks terrible!!!

This design is incredibly ugly, lets hope its not real.

The design looks tired and outdated.

I hope it doesn't end up looking like that. That camera housing looks dreadful :(

Imagine if it does look like this? The reaction here would be priceless!!!
 
I guess you wish the iMac still had a CD tray?

People said this same crap when Apple switched to lightning. People will deal with it. Besides all it will take is a $5 adapter to use your legacy headphones or connect to your car.

.

I doubt it will be $5, more like $30-50 knowing Apple but still, why should customers have to pay for something that was always integrated with the device?

The difference between removing the headphone jack and the change from 30 pin to Lightning is that Apple always used their own exclusive connectors, it was a pain in the ass for people in within the Apple ecosystem but the 3.5mm headphone jack is an INDUSTRY standard. Simply put, any current Android owner who owns a bunch of earbuds and/or headphones might be less likely to purchase an iPhone 7 if it does in fact eschew the headphone jack. And don't give me the whole "Android phones will follow suit" narrative because believe me, they will relish in the backlash that Apple will deservedly get for eliminating the headphone jack.
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Guess the only exciting thing about this year for me will be iOS 10 and Apple Watch 2.

iOS 10 needs a complete redesign and substantial new features to get me excited about the platform again. As of now, I'll just assume it'll be another snoozer of an update like iOS 9.
 
if this is what it is going to look like i am gonna get a Galaxy Edge while waiting for the actual NEW iPhone which is clearly coming out at its 10th year anniversary. this just seems like a "lazy" filler device before their new technology is cheap enough for mass production
 
Maybe one of the purposes for incorporating a smart connector is to reintroduce the ability to input and output analogue audio (amongst other things) that was lost when moving from the 30pin connector to the all digital Lightning one? Unlikely I know, as that's rather a specialised feature. Its just the incorporation of a smart connector an an iPhone still seems rather odd.

Lightning can already be configured to output analogue audio on the fly, but not likely in Apple's best interest with this move. The smart connector seems like it could be used for this purpose, but not likely.

This... Headphones with Lightning connectors are only beneficial for Apple, not for consumers. So they can sell more headphones and charge other manufacturers a licensing fee for their proprietary connector.

Made for iPhone? I'd rather have Made for Everything.

Not unless Apple offers something beneficial for the customer in the way of a new feature that may be used by more customers than are currently using their headphone jack. And you're kidding yourself if you think this is about licensing the Lightning connector to more vendors. Apple is pushing non-proprietary wifi and bluetooth wireless as a standard to eliminate ports and jacks altogether eventually. Lightning is just a way to accommodate those who can't cut the cord.

Still don't understand the need to remove the headphone jack. Touch still has one at 6.1mm, that's plenty thin.

It's one thing to remove things that are past their time or whatever, like the floppy drive... But there are literally *billions* of devices with 3.5 jacks. It just strikes me as more means to bilk customers.

It's not about the height. By my calculations Apple would have to drop below 4mm thickness to necessitate eliminating the jack due to its diameter. The problem is the internal volume the hardware takes up inside the phone. Adding new hardware features means spreading out what's already in there, and the jack takes up something like 400 cubic mm.
 
That Smart Connector will probably enable Apple's version of wireless charging. People here will go nuts with excitement. I will pass and remain bored as the Palm Pre had that feature years ago and it looked better than anything the competition is doing today.
 
Calm down mate, it's a likely fake, and if it is authentic, I highly doubt the finished product would look as unfinished as in the image. Hold on the Apple's Changed! posts until we at least see an official image.

And yet leaked photos of the current iPhone 6 with the plastic antenna bands proved real.
Just saying.
 
So If this happens, then yes, Android will follow shortly thereafter with Apple leading the way as usual. Or, I will be back here telling you were right, just as disappointed in Apple's move as you are now without giving them the benefit of the doubt.

I wouldn't be so sure about that. Samsung and other manufacturers followed Apple's design philosophy when they decided to remove SD slots. Fast forward to 2016: card slots are back.

And even if they decided to remove it, they would likely fall back on the by they universally used USB-C.

But I admire your confidence and optimism regarding Apple's leadership in the industry. I feel the days with Apple leading the way, are long over. They are offering solid upper middle class products, well tailored to their proprietary software, which works usually quite well as a whole.
 
Being as my iPhone 6 can't make it through a 40 minute run without the battery running down - no thanks to BT headphones. Of course the GPS doesn't work on my phone either....so I had to buy a Garmin.

I'd be happy if Apple just made stuff that worked longer than 15 months.
 
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But both camps make it sound as if their position is the obvious one and that everybody with a little bit of a brain must surely support their position.
Uh, no. I simply stated my opinion. You are making into something else entirely.
 
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And yet leaked photos of the current iPhone 6 with the plastic antenna bands proved real.
Just saying.

We all have seen time and time again that the info leaked own various sites s almost always accurate. Apple Product launches are boring these days because we already know months in advance!
 
The chamfered edges that people complained about being too fragile and easily chipping? I guess Apple could resurrect the iPhone 5C design and then plastic antenna bands wouldn't be needed. But honestly if they're working on a much bigger redesign that isn't ready (OLED screen, no physical home button etc) then it doesn't make much sense to radically redesign the 6S for one year.

How each handles their iPhone varies. I experienced no issues with chipping of the chamfered edges.

I am heartened to hear rumours of a return to a glass or sapphire. Sure, I get the redesign cycle, but 7 was 'supposed' to be a major redesign.
 
Being as my iPhone 6 can't make it through a 40 minute run without the battery running down - no thanks to BT headphones. Of course the GPS doesn't work on my phone either....so I had to buy a Garmin.

I'd be happy if Apple just made stuff that worked longer than 15 months.

Sounds like you need to run Apple diagnostics on your phone from the support website or take it in for repair. Your issues aren't normal and everyone doesn't experience that.
 
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Imagine if it does look like this? The reaction here would be priceless!!!

Nothing surprises me here anymore. Just look what Rogifan wrote when the first pics of the iPhone 6 were leaked, which turned out to be really accurate:

I've said before if the final product looks exactly like the leaks we've seen I will sell my Apple stock. But I'm confident I won't be doing that as the final, refined product with the proper fit and finish will look much better than any leak we've seen. That's how it was with iPhone 5. None of the leaked photos looked as good as the final product Apple released.

But of course, the final product looked soooo much better. Especially when presented in a video with English accent and a white background and flowery piano music. :p
 
If "elimination of the headphone jack" is the only new "feature" on the 7 non-plus, Apple is in trouble.
 
If these rumours are true, its incredibly dissapionting.
  • Usually a new number means a new design. If this is true, will we also see a 7S using this design? If thats the case, the "6" design will essentially have been used for 4 generations. Thats over the top, for what has been the worst iPhone design so far.
  • No headphone jack may have some space saving merits, but for stereo speakers? Does anyone really think they will get hi-fi sound out of this, or true stereo from speakers placed 3 cm from each other?
  • Is faster and thinner alone enough of a reason to upgrade?
  • The dual lens system, if resembling these images, is an aesthetical disaster. Some times form over function is okay. Does Jony Ive even care any more?
 
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