iPhone 7 Headphone jack - 6 months later poll

[Applejuiced]

The switch from the 30 pin to the lightening connector was an improvement in user function: it lead to a smaller cable that no-longer required orientation for insertion. Let me "whine" (aka state the facts ) for supposedly the 13th time in the spirit of your Boston Commons and say that the same cannot be said about the removal of the headphone jack. Improvements in bluetooth technology, which have been included in every single iPhone for the past decade, do not overcome the detriment from the removal of the headphone jack. That is where you and I fundamentally disagree.

I bought two iPhone 7's actually, so have "moved on". But nearly every single day I am reminded of how ludicrous Apple's decision to jettison the headphone jack was. Its interesting that every successful iPhone competitor goes out of their way to make sure they include a headphone jack and mention it to consumers. There is a reason for that, and this is what you are failing to understand.

Hey I get it. You're unhappy about Apples decision to remove the standard aux audio port and many others feel the same as you too.
My question is what will you do to overcome this annoyance and business decision by Apple that you dont agree with?
You have various options.

Stick it to the company and vote with your wallet? Hope that you and many millions of others will stop buying iphones from now on and cause Apple to change their stance and bring back the standard audio jack?
Switch to a competitor smartphone company that has that option still?
Use an older iphone such as the iPhone 6S and below?
Use the iPhone 7 and newer iphones and adapt via other ways or options around the missing standard audio jack?
Or any other approach you have in mind?

 

[Jimmy James]

I voted with my wallet and just got a 6s. This is probably the happiest I've ever been with a new phone. And It's nearly 2 generations old.

 

[bufffilm]

I voted with my wallet and just got a 6s. This is probably the happiest I've ever been with a new phone. And It's nearly 2 generations old.

It's got all the basics - 2gb RAM, force-touch, 3.5mm jack, upgraded cameras front and back

It's a phone that will do a creditable job for many years.

Newer phones will have 'better'...better speakers, better battery, better water-resistance, etc...if you like chasing better, be my guest.

 

[CTHarrryH]

You are actually doing predictions about technological and ergonomical advances based on what you are seeing at the gym?

This was a joke, right?

NO the gym is a place where almost everyone is using a phone and headsets and thus an example of what people use. You can look around and see what 20+ people are using. Like the bunch that have 7's and use the conversion cable to hook up their headsets they have and use.
[doublepost=1498077525][/doublepost]manhattanboy - and I was born and raised in Manhattan.
The issue is how many different types of headphones do you want to have and carry around? I think most of us have multiple headsets and would love to use only 1 type. no jack doesn't stop me from buying but I think it wasn't the best decision and since all the other manufactures are not bragging about still having it - people must agree.
Time will tell - it won't be the end of Apple or double Apple's share but I think it is an example of not the greatest decision for Apple

 

[jasonklee]

Right or wrong, I think philosophically, Apple thinks it must, must, must see iOS devices as more cutting edge than macOS devices, and that means not being held back by legacyware of any kind if there are worthy trade-offs.

 

[bufffilm]

Right or wrong, I think philosophically, Apple thinks it must, must, must see iOS devices as more cutting edge than macOS devices, and that means not being held back by legacyware of any kind if there are worthy trade-offs.

It goes beyond philosophically...iPhones are their biggest $$$-makers, by far.

 

[manhattanboy]

It goes beyond philosophically...iPhones are their biggest $$$-makers, by far.

^^ THI$ was their reason for getting rid of the headphone jack. I would like to see wireless Beats sales numbers before and after the iPhone 7 release. It was greed plain and $imple.

What's funny is that Apple caught flack for switching to usb-c and abandoning the magsafe and usb-a connectors in the MacBook pro. At least you could make a case that it may be an improvement as the USB-c port can do more than either the old power port or usb-a port. It was also the standard multiple industries were converging on. To beat a dead horse, the same cannot be said about the removal of the headphone jack.

 

[Nhwhazup]

I have multiple wireless earbuds but my wired ones have the absolute best quality sound. I've held off buying the 7 to be able to use my favorite earbuds longer. I will likely upgrade in the fall and sadly put my wired earbuds away.

 

[Estiner]

Iphone 6, 6s, now iPhone 7 (where is jack?), but now iPhone 8, great that's in Poland https://forcode.pl/iphone6-iphone7-iphone8.html

 

[noekozz]

I have multiple wireless earbuds but my wired ones have the absolute best quality sound. I've held off buying the 7 to be able to use my favorite earbuds longer. I will likely upgrade in the fall and sadly put my wired earbuds away.

This. Despite the improvements to wireless earbuds, it'll never be up to par with standards wired headphones/earbuds.

 

[phpmaven]

Not a big deal, but I have had a couple of times when I wanted to listen to music in the car but my battery was getting low and it was either go without music or charge the phone.

 

[bufffilm]

Reminder: most likely the 6s will be discontinued by Apple after Sept.

If you are heavily 3.5mm dependent, you might want to stock up on an extra 6s/+.

I've said it before and will say it again...the 6s/+ is a classic. For good reason!

 

[anonymous guy]

NO the gym is a place where almost everyone is using a phone and headsets and thus an example of what people use. You can look around and see what 20+ people are using. Like the bunch that have 7's and use the conversion cable to hook up their headsets they have and use.

I have recovered a few 3.5 jack dongles left behind on exercise machines.

Reminder: most likely the 6s will be discontinued by Apple after Sept.

If you are heavily 3.5mm dependent, you might want to stock up on an extra 6s/+.

I've said it before and will say it again...the 6s/+ is a classic. For good reason!

Wouldn't the 6S series be retained as the lowest end option? Usually two year old models are kept as the "budget" phone with the lowest available storage capacity.

 

[bufffilm]

I have recovered a few 3.5 jack dongles left behind on exercise machines.



Wouldn't the 6S series be retained as the lowest end option? Usually two year old models are kept as the "budget" phone with the lowest available storage capacity.

I can't speak outside the US, but when the 7 was introduced, the ip6/+ stopped being sold by Apple.

No reason to think this year will be any different. So I expect the 6s/+ will be on the chopping block.

The SE is a different animal.

 

[KUguardgrl13]

I've had my iPhone 7 since March, and so far I haven't run into major issues not having a standard headphone jack. I don't use headphones much these days and just make use of the internal speakers. They're even good enough that if I want to listen to something on my phone in the car, the sound is decent enough. My 07 Corolla doesn't even have aux or USB input, so I have an FM transmitter for road trips that works just fine with my iPod Classic. That leaves my phone open for GPS.

 

[Glideslope]

I have multiple wireless earbuds but my wired ones have the absolute best quality sound. I've held off buying the 7 to be able to use my favorite earbuds longer. I will likely upgrade in the fall and sadly put my wired earbuds away.

1) Wired will always sound better. Period.

2) The 7 comes with the dongle. In the almost 1 year of using my 7+ I've required 2 adapters. The one that came with the 7 stays on my Wired Headphones, or I move it to my Buds. Takes like 8 sec. I purchased 1 to use with my Home Set Up Audio In.

So, it really had no effect on using my Wired Headphones, or Buds.

 

[bmac4]

I would have to say I hate it not having a headphone jack. I have lost two of the dongles, had to get a Bluetooth adapter for my car, and genuinely hate not being able to charge and listen. I do have AirPods so that does help, but over all I think this was a poor decision by Apple.

 

[pika2000]

I have multiple wireless earbuds but my wired ones have the absolute best quality sound. I've held off buying the 7 to be able to use my favorite earbuds longer. I will likely upgrade in the fall and sadly put my wired earbuds away.

Why? Apple included lightning to 3.5mm adapter in the box (iPhone 7).

I don't get this. People are making it like Apple attacked them and destroyed their favorite headphones, while in reality people can still use them with the phone. Were people as upset when we had to use adapters to convert our 1/4" headphones to 3.5mm?

 

[Applejuiced]

Why? Apple included lightning to 3.5mm adapter in the box (iPhone 7).

I don't get this. People are making it like Apple attacked them and destroyed their favorite headphones, while in reality people can still use them with the phone. Were people as upset when we had to use adapters to convert our 1/4" headphones to 3.5mm?

They act like Apple burned down their house

 

[bmac4]

Why? Apple included lightning to 3.5mm adapter in the box (iPhone 7).

I don't get this. People are making it like Apple attacked them and destroyed their favorite headphones, while in reality people can still use them with the phone. Were people as upset when we had to use adapters to convert our 1/4" headphones to 3.5mm?

The problem is you have carry the dongle around with you. I have lost two since owning the phone. I really does become a pain. I am not super pissed about not having the headphone jack, but I do think it was a poor decision. We don't have the tech in place yet to be ready to replace the headphone jack. I think it was too early.

 

[Jimmy James]

I've got a line out in both cars and multiple better headphones at home. We've also been running different phones at home. So this means I need an adapter in each car and at least one at home to rotate between units. So I need them everywhere and they're being unplugged a lot, partially out of my direct control. This means they're getting lost and I'm replacing them periodically. Nothing insurmountable but it's a hassle and a cost.

I also do charge and listen simultaneously during road trips. Another thing to manage.

For people that aren't completely wireless it's a substantial workaround.

 

[democracyrules]

Hey guys,

I was curious how things turned out for those with the iPhone 7 regarding the loss of the headphone jack as per the poll questions.

Cheers

No issues at all especially after the most effective wireless earphone and wonderful AirPod was released and got it right after it was released.

 

[CTHarrryH]

For me it is charging while using headphone that gets me. I use the phone for long conference calls and so need to charge sometimes while listening on headphones.
Agree with the others - I'm not going to buy 5 of the new corded headphones but I have headphones all over the place. Sure this is for convenience and make sure I don't forget to take but....

 

[PatrycjaKozdra]

Time to retire the old jack... seriously it's such old technology why bother....

 

[janeauburn]

These are the "upgrades" over the past 2 releases that I consider downgrades:

1. Force/3D touch: Rarely use it, and when I do, I think "dumb." Has added weight and thickness to the phone. A solution in search of a problem. Sucks.
2. Loss of headphone jack: dumb/annoying/something else to think about.
3. "Improved" screen (on 7): yellow tint, no thanks. My 6 Plus was/is better.
4. Leather cases: slippery. They suck. The old ones were better.
5. Phone call quality: now sounds muffled. Used to be great on 6.
6. Apple Music on iOS 10. WTF? How can you ruin an app in so many ways at one time? Must be some kind of record. Features remain *broken.*

Jeez.