Apple Will Still Include a Lightning to Headphone Jack Adapter With This Year's iPhones, Says Barclays

[MacRumors]

Apple will continue to include a Lightning to 3.5mm Headphone Jack Adapter with the trio of new iPhone models rumored to launch later this year, according to Barclays.

"We believe it stays this year but goes away at some point, potentially in the 2018 model," said Barclays analyst Blayne Curtis, and his associates, in a research note distributed today.

Cirrus Logic would remain the primary beneficiary within Apple's supply chain, as it's believed to provide some of the tiny audio-related components inside of the adapter.

Barclays contradicts Japanese blog Mac Otakara, which said Apple will no longer include the adapter in the box with the so-called iPhone 7s, iPhone 7s Plus, and iPhone Edition.

Apple eliminating the 3.5mm headphone jack on the iPhone 7 was a controversial decision, so it's easy to see why it might want to include the adapter in the box for at least another year. But, unlike when that iPhone launched last year, Apple's wireless AirPods and BeatsX earphones are now available.

Apple sells the Lightning to 3.5mm Headphone Jack Adapter for $9 as a standalone accessory, which is cheap by its standards, so customers that still prefer to use wired headphones won't be forced to pay too much extra whether the adapter is removed from the iPhone box this year or later.

Article Link: Apple Will Still Include a Lightning to Headphone Jack Adapter With This Year's iPhones, Says Barclays

 

[Sunny1990]

Better if they include AirPods

 

[lars666]

the >$1000 10th anniversary OLED iPhone bundled with AirPods would be a nice touch.

 

[JeffyTheQuik]

Impressive. Went Bluetooth about 4 years ago and haven't looked back.

Good on Apple for having the converter for another year.

 

[Iphtashu Fitz]

I wonder what Steve Jobs would have to say about adding a dongle into the mix if he were still alive today...

 

[jsmith189]

I wonder what Steve Jobs would have to say about adding a dongle into the mix if he were still alive today...

But he's not, so let's stop bringing this hypothetical into every thread.

 

[jblagden]

"But, unlike when the iPhone launched last year, Apple's wireless AirPods and BeatsXearphones are now available.”

That’s nice, but we don’t all want wireless headphones. I prefer wired headphones because they have better price/performance and reliability. You don’t have to worry if your wired headphones need to be charged or how long their batteries will last. Apple’s AirPods are nice, but are overpriced for how they sound; they sound the same as $30 EarPods, while costing $160 - a 530% markup just for wireless!

 

[JMacHack]

I wish they'd extend that generosity toward new MacBook Pro buyers, we need adapters too.

 

[jblagden]

But he's not, so let's stop bringing this hypothetical into every thread.

Considering Tim Cook’s decisions of the last few years, I think Steve was wrong when he told Apple employees (Cook included) to not ask “What would Steve do?”.

 

[Corrode]

Reduce AirPods to $100 or license the W1 chip to other companies. Problem solved.

 

[jblagden]

I wish they'd extend that generosity toward new MacBook Pro buyers, we need adapters too.

Or even better: Build in more ports so those adapters aren’t necessary.

USB-A, Ethernet, Magsafe, SD card adapter.

 

[OldSchoolMacGuy]

Not a surprise. Not every user upgraded when the iPhone 7 came out. Many will be making the switch for the first time to a phone without a headphone jack when this next phone is released in Sept and having this adaptor will help some.

Having said that, it seems this hasn't been anywhere near the life ending issue that MacRumors and readers made it out to be, before the release of the iPhone 7. It's still the best selling iPhone ever and people seem to be coping with loss of the headphone jack without issue.

 

[profets]

Or even better: Build in more ports so those adapters aren’t necessary.

USB-A, Ethernet, Magsafe, SD card adapter.

VGA, eSATA, Firewire, Parallel, ADB, RS232...

 

[soupcan]

Or, you know, don't drop industry standards for your own proprietary connector that adds zero value to your product AND then continue to sell your iPads/iPods/Macs with a headphone plug.

 

[doelcm82]

"But, unlike when the iPhone launched last year, Apple's wireless AirPods and BeatsXearphones are now available.”

That’s nice, but we don’t all want wireless headphones. I prefer wired headphones because they have better price/performance and reliability. You don’t have to worry if your wired headphones need to be charged or how long their batteries will last. Apple’s AirPods are nice, but are overpriced for how they sound; they sound the same as $30 EarPods, while costing $160 - a 530% markup just for wireless!

Your wired headphones are nice, too. So Apple nicely provides the nice adapter.

 

[joeblow7777]

They had better still include it. Putting back the headphone jack would be even better!

 

[JMacHack]

Or even better: Build in more ports so those adapters aren’t necessary.

USB-A, Ethernet, Magsafe, SD card adapter.

In order:
Maybe, don't use it, kinda miss it, don't use it.

Frankly USB-C needs to be foisted on most of the industry, so I don't mind an adapter as a stopgap.

Edit: Thinking about it I'd like to see a thicker MacBook Pro that has 8 USB-C ports standing vertically, 4 on each side.

 

[Xavier]

I would get the AirPods if my ears weren't so weird. Apple's headphones have never stayed in my ears.

 

[Derekuda]

Super Pathetic on so many levels. Apple sucks balls! Removing a standard is not innovation. Also keeping your crap proprietary lightning port instead of switching to USB C like all other apple products is retarded. So glad I've switched to Android.

 

[dragicon]

I still wish the 7 had a standard headphone jack. It's happened many times where I have to choose between listening to something on my phone and charging it. I end up just draining that battery down to the bottom before plugging it in. What makes it worse are those fake speaker holes that replaced it, staring me in the eyes when I plug it in to charge it.

 

[thejdhull]

I wonder if they will do a headphone exchange program. Cheap White apple headphones for cheap lightning white apple headphones.

The press of recycling, the customer good will sentiment, even maybe charge a buck or something to make it apple.

 

[dannyyankou]

I haven't used wired headphones since the iPhone came out, but this is a smart move regardless.

 

[Nr123*123]

Orrr just drill a hole for a headphone jack?

I for one was going to upgrade but didn't because I don't want Bluetooth headphones.

 

[Beenblacklisted]

No wireless charging then....

 

[uwdude]

But he's not, so let's stop bringing this hypothetical into every thread.

Don't forget to add the obligatory "he's spinning in his grave"