Lightning Headphone headaches

[marty1980]

Apple's solution for removing the headphone jack was to create the lightning headphones. Apple headphones now connect by way of a lightning port. Then to ease the transition they also include the jack adapter so that older headphones still work with new I devices. Ok. From this perspective where you only connect to devices with lightning ports, it works. But there's some real issues that pop up as a result that has really frustrated me on my first trip away from home with my new, headphone jack-less iPhone X.

My recharge box I use to recharge my phone on the go has been dying. It was not reasonable to go buy another before this trip. So to save battery on my phone, I loaded my tablet up with movies and games to play during travel. It wasn't until I was in the airport about to get on the plane that I realized my tablet does not have a lightning port and so I would have no way to listen privately. I quickly downloaded a couple movies onto my phone. Immediately I was upset that my entire plan to save battery was going down the drain because there is no way to connect my lightning headphones to my tablets Jack or it's micro USB port.

I get onto the plane and realize they offer free movies, TV and games on the back of every seat of the plane. This was great! ... Until I found out that there was no way for me to use my lightning headphones with the airplanes entertainment center.

First thought was "I should have brought my MacBook Pro"... But quickly remembered that my MacBook does not have a lightning port and so I still would have been stuck in the same situation.

So I gave up on everything and just watched the movies I had downloaded to my phone. Thankfully I still had about 20%+ battery at the end of my 7 hour flight. Sadly, this meant I had to get somewhere to charge before sight seeing or adventuring out and about.

I now have some 3.5mm headphones for the trip back, but it really stressed the mistake Apple has made with the creation of lightning headphones. They're nearly worthless to me. I have good Bluetooth headphones. They were just bulkier than what I wanted to carry on my trip, so I didn't take them. The lightning headphones prevented me from enjoying any entertainment that wasn't on my iPhone.

So why do Lightning headphones exist?

It's easy to just jump to the conclusion that it's all about making $$ and that theory is supported by several factors including the ownership of Beats and that they license lightning accessories and so money is made on any compatible device or adapter sold from Apple or 3rd parties.

How could Apple have done better and still got rid of the headphone jack on iPhones?

Maybe include regular, 3.5mm headphones and keep the adapter that's already in there. But then that would have caused people to be upset they had to have an adapter every time they want to listen.

Maybe include Bluetooth headphones instead of wired. But then the cost of the phone would have to increase to make up the difference and with the X already starting at $999, it would not be possible from Apple's perspective.

Personally, I would have rather been forced to use the adapter. This trip is the first time I opened the lightning headphones since getting my X on Nov 3. And they failed me in so many ways. Lightning headphones are a huge disappointment. It just highlights to me the downsides of removing the headphone jack and how even Apple wasn't prepared for the transition. They caused me a lot of frustration after I spent over $1200 on my new iPhone. And to top it off, my other $2000+ Apple device wouldn't have solved the problem.

I can live without the headphone jack, but Lightning headphones need to go away. They are a terrible idea and should never have been created.

 

[Strelok]

They almost always offer free headphones on planes if you ask. They suck, but they get the job done.

 

[adamhenry]

I agree. They can go away as far as I am concerned. I have never used the headphones included in the box anyway.

 

[NoBoMac]

I have never used the headphones included in the box anyway.

This. The Apple provided earbuds have never had great sound quality, usually fit poorly in the ears, who does not have earbuds and or headphones they use INSTEAD OF the "freebies"? I only keep those around for emergency backup (ie. broke my favorite earbuds).

And lets be honest, op REALLY didn't know that their tablet is 3.5mm, and the Macbook? And if just constructing a straw man, pretty weak one.

 

[marty1980]

This. The Apple provided earbuds have never had great sound quality, usually fit poorly in the ears, who does not have earbuds and or headphones they use INSTEAD OF the "freebies"? I only keep those around for emergency backup (ie. broke my favorite earbuds).

And lets be honest, op REALLY didn't know that their tablet is 3.5mm, and the Macbook? And if just constructing a straw man, pretty weak one.

The old Apple earbuds were great for me. I still have pairs I use. One I keep at work and use daily. I understand some people don't like them, but plenty of people do.

Don't make rude presumptions about people. Sure, I have other headphones, but didn't think I'd have this much trouble with the new headphones. I was busy thinking of more important things in regards to my trip. My mistake?

 

[cyb3rdud3]

We all have different experiences...I've just had a 24 hour flight to Australia...
1. My battery life lasted just fine - charging and listening was not an issue, I did not need to use the splitter dongle I bought
2. On a flight you really want to try noise cancelling headphones No engine noise, no screaming babies, it is bliss...Both my Sennheiser and the AKG (for my daughter) came with an airplane adapter included - even if you used 3.5mm jack headphones, don't forget the airplane adapter....

A little bit of preparation and personal responsibility and this is really a non-issue.

 

[44267547]

but Lightning headphones need to go away. They are a terrible idea and should never have been created.

I disagree entirely that their "Terrible.". I still find them as a nice alternative. I own the Airpods, but I don't mind having the wired experience with the EarPods as a secondary. I actually find the listening experiencing more than adequate and they are durable as well. Regardless if Apple includes them or not, they still serve a purpose. I would rather have the option than not of having them included. And for those who don't want them, they actually sell new for almost $20.00.

 

[xraydoc]

Personally, I’d be happy if my MacBook Pro had a Lightning port on it in case I want to use my phone’s ear buds.

But mostly I use my AirPods.

 

[boltjames]

Apple's solution for removing the headphone jack was to create the lightning headphones. Apple headphones now connect by way of a lightning port. Then to ease the transition they also include the jack adapter so that older headphones still work with new I devices. Ok. From this perspective where you only connect to devices with lightning ports, it works. But there's some real issues that pop up as a result that has really frustrated me on my first trip away from home with my new, headphone jack-less iPhone X.

My recharge box I use to recharge my phone on the go has been dying. It was not reasonable to go buy another before this trip. So to save battery on my phone, I loaded my tablet up with movies and games to play during travel. It wasn't until I was in the airport about to get on the plane that I realized my tablet does not have a lightning port and so I would have no way to listen privately. I quickly downloaded a couple movies onto my phone. Immediately I was upset that my entire plan to save battery was going down the drain because there is no way to connect my lightning headphones to my tablets Jack or it's micro USB port.

I get onto the plane and realize they offer free movies, TV and games on the back of every seat of the plane. This was great! ... Until I found out that there was no way for me to use my lightning headphones with the airplanes entertainment center.

First thought was "I should have brought my MacBook Pro"... But quickly remembered that my MacBook does not have a lightning port and so I still would have been stuck in the same situation.

So I gave up on everything and just watched the movies I had downloaded to my phone. Thankfully I still had about 20%+ battery at the end of my 7 hour flight. Sadly, this meant I had to get somewhere to charge before sight seeing or adventuring out and about.

I now have some 3.5mm headphones for the trip back, but it really stressed the mistake Apple has made with the creation of lightning headphones. They're nearly worthless to me. I have good Bluetooth headphones. They were just bulkier than what I wanted to carry on my trip, so I didn't take them. The lightning headphones prevented me from enjoying any entertainment that wasn't on my iPhone.

So why do Lightning headphones exist?

It's easy to just jump to the conclusion that it's all about making $$ and that theory is supported by several factors including the ownership of Beats and that they license lightning accessories and so money is made on any compatible device or adapter sold from Apple or 3rd parties.

How could Apple have done better and still got rid of the headphone jack on iPhones?

Maybe include regular, 3.5mm headphones and keep the adapter that's already in there. But then that would have caused people to be upset they had to have an adapter every time they want to listen.

Maybe include Bluetooth headphones instead of wired. But then the cost of the phone would have to increase to make up the difference and with the X already starting at $999, it would not be possible from Apple's perspective.

Personally, I would have rather been forced to use the adapter. This trip is the first time I opened the lightning headphones since getting my X on Nov 3. And they failed me in so many ways. Lightning headphones are a huge disappointment. It just highlights to me the downsides of removing the headphone jack and how even Apple wasn't prepared for the transition. They caused me a lot of frustration after I spent over $1200 on my new iPhone. And to top it off, my other $2000+ Apple device wouldn't have solved the problem.

I can live without the headphone jack, but Lightning headphones need to go away. They are a terrible idea and should never have been created.

Good post, but I think you're looking at this incorrectly. You didn't lose a headphone jack; you gained wireless headphones. The ease of connectivity, the equivalent sound quality, the freedom of movement, the affordable noise cancellation, and the universal inter-connectivity; thus avoiding confusion on pack-in's like adapters. You've got to look at it this way:

Face ID = more convenient than fingerprint scanning.

Wireless Charging = more convenient than wired charging.

Bluetooth Headphones = more convenient than wired headphones.

I used to feel just like you do but when I got my iPhone X I decided to embrace the concept of Bluetooth headphones and I've been far happier. iPhone, iPad, Laptop. The key to avoiding port confusion is to avoid ports entirely.

 

[SkyBell]

I used to feel just like you do but when I got my iPhone X I decided to embrace the concept of Bluetooth headphones and I've been far happier. iPhone, iPad, Laptop. The key to avoiding port confusion is to avoid ports entirely.

I guess I'm in the minority here who would much rather have a wired connection for almost every peripheral that exists - if it means I don't have to deal with worrying about battery life and subsequently carrying around a portable battery pack for my everything, I'll gladly take a corded connection anyday - whether it be headphones, keyboards, game controllers you name it.

 

[Shirasaki]

This. The Apple provided earbuds have never had great sound quality, usually fit poorly in the ears, who does not have earbuds and or headphones they use INSTEAD OF the "freebies"? I only keep those around for emergency backup (ie. broke my favorite earbuds).

And lets be honest, op REALLY didn't know that their tablet is 3.5mm, and the Macbook? And if just constructing a straw man, pretty weak one.

I second the bad sound quality. It could barely playback all the music I have without distorting the original sound. No base, no tremble. In short, such EarPods are useful only for answering phone call, which it did the job surprisingly well.
The lightning EarPods in iPhone 7 and above is just a pure waste of everyone's money. They could’ve just include original jack EarPods and that adapter.
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I guess I'm in the minority here who would much rather have a wired connection for almost every peripheral that exists - if it means I don't have to deal with worrying about battery life and subsequently carrying around a portable battery pack for my everything, I'll gladly take a corded connection anyday - whether it be headphones, keyboards, game controllers you name it.

Add me as one of such minority.
Wired peripherals = one less device to recharge and carry another battery, which transitions to higher safety. Battery burning or explosion is still a potential safety hazard no matter how to spin it. It is just a matter of what damage can be done.
I am trying to adapt to wireless technology but only find the price quite overwhelming, while they typically won’t last as long as I hope. (Apple Watch series 3 is an exception tho, it is super good on battery life). Maybe I will eventually adapt but I will keep embracing wire technology.

 

[marty1980]

Good post, but I think you're looking at this incorrectly. You didn't lose a headphone jack; you gained wireless headphones. The ease of connectivity, the equivalent sound quality, the freedom of movement, the affordable noise cancellation, and the universal inter-connectivity; thus avoiding confusion on pack-in's like adapters. You've got to look at it this way:

Face ID = more convenient than fingerprint scanning.

Wireless Charging = more convenient than wired charging.

Bluetooth Headphones = more convenient than wired headphones.

I used to feel just like you do but when I got my iPhone X I decided to embrace the concept of Bluetooth headphones and I've been far happier. iPhone, iPad, Laptop. The key to avoiding port confusion is to avoid ports entirely.

I don’t have a problem with Bluetooth. The reason I had just used the lightning headphones for the first time is because I have been using my Bluetooth headphones as my primary. But I wanted to save space and to not have to worry about charging while away from home. The wired headphones seemed like the better option for this trip.

My post isn’t to complain more about the lack of jack. That’s been beat to death. My problem is having to deal lightning headphones that can only work on Apple devices and only on those devices that have a lightning port. It caused frustrations for me that should never have been a problem and wouldn’t have been a problem if Apple just included standard 3.5mm EarPods with my new phone.

 

[boltjames]

I don’t have a problem with Bluetooth. The reason I had just used the lightning headphones for the first time is because I have been using my Bluetooth headphones as my primary. But I wanted to save space and to not have to worry about charging while away from home. The wired headphones seemed like the better option for this trip.

My post isn’t to complain more about the lack of jack. That’s been beat to death. My problem is having to deal lightning headphones that can only work on Apple devices and only on those devices that have a lightning port. It caused frustrations for me that should never have been a problem and wouldn’t have been a problem if Apple just included standard 3.5mm EarPods with my new phone.

I agree with all your points regarding the benefits of wired headphones and the frustrations across Apple, and other, devices.

Merely pointing out that my way around the frustration was to just go completely wireless. While it does bring one complication (charging) it does alleviate other complications (incompatibility, adapters, tangles) and brings a great benefit for flying (noise reduction).

Regarding your specific situation, lesson learned. Time to bring two sets of earbuds with you when you travel, 3.5mm and Lightning.

 

[44267547]

My problem is having to deal lightning headphones that can only work on Apple devices and only on those devices that have a lightning port..

How is that a problem if Apple provides an adapter from the lightning to convert to a 3.5 mm Jack? Or the adapter can be purchased separately. You're basically complaining about something that they give you free inside the box. Either way you have the lightning EarPods that can be converted Over from lighting to 3.5 or vice Versa. Your argument is moot here.

 

[marty1980]

How is that a problem if Apple provides an adapter from the lightning to convert to a 3.5 mm Jack? Or the adapter can be purchased separately. You're basically complaining about something that they give you free inside the box. Either way you have the lightning EarPods that can be converted Over from lighting to 3.5 or vice Versa. Your argument is moot here.

Please point me to an adapter that lets me plug my lightning headphones into a 3.5mm port.

You know what I got for free in the box with my last iPhone? 3.5mm headphones. The change to lightning is a huge disappointment to me that caused frustrations. If it works for you, fine. But they failed me in a big way.

 

[44267547]

Please point me to an adapter that lets me plug my lightning headphones into a 3.5mm port.

This wasn't the point behind my Post, this is your own concern, not mine.

You know what I got for free in the box with my last iPhone? 3.5mm headphones. The change to lightning is a huge disappointment to me that caused frustrations. If it works for you, fine. But they failed me in a big way.

So they failed you, but it doesn't apply to everyone. But my point was they still provided the adapter as an alternative for those who the 3.5 Jack outlet to access devices that use this port. Apple didn't have to even provide the adapter If they didn't want to.

 

[Eric5273]

Lighting headphones are actually capable of much better sound than 3.5mm headphones due to the fact that the lightning jack is digital. The 3.5mm headphone jack is the same analog jack they've been using for 50 years. While the lightning EarPods are pretty lousy, there are some really good lightning headphones available on the market and the sound quality is far better than you can get from non-powered headphones that use the 3.5mm jack. Remember that the lightning port can also transmit power, meaning that lightning headphones can have their own amplifier or DAC which will be much better quality than the one included in any phone or tablet.

I purchased the 1More Triple Driver lightning headphones a few weeks ago, and the sound quality is pretty unbelievable for a small pair of earbuds. It's comparable to most high quality over the ear headphones that cost 2-3 times as much.

 

[marty1980]

This wasn't the point behind my Post, this is your own concern, not mine.

So they failed you, but it doesn't apply to everyone. But my point was they still provided the adapter as an alternative for those who the 3.5 Jack outlet to access devices that use this port. Apple didn't have to even provide the adapter If they didn't want to.

May not have been the point of your post, but it IS the entire point of this thread.

Nothing applies to everyone. Apple didn’t need to include headphones or an adapter or anything other than the phone. I’m not going to argue that part because that’s not the point of this thread.

I caused my own problems by not thinking about how lightning headphones would negatively affect me on this trip. I accept my mistakes. However, I question why this situation arose in the first place. This is how this thread came to be. Through a bad experience I became frustrated with a very questionable decision by Apple to invent the lightning headphones. I am unable to agree with the reasoning Apple used for this decision. Mostly, because I cannot see any clear reasoning behind it other than a money grab.

You don’t have any problems with the lightning headphones. Fine. I’m ok with that. I understand plenty of people will agree with you. I’m just expressing my disappointment and laying out how Apple could have done better. Or at least trying to elicit other ideas about how they could have done better so that situations like mine don’t happen.
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Lighting headphones are actually capable of much better sound than 3.5mm headphones due to the fact that the lightning jack is digital. The 3.5mm headphone jack is the same analog jack they've been using for 50 years. While the lightning EarPods are pretty lousy, there are some really good lightning headphones available on the market and the sound quality is far better than you can get from non-powered headphones that use the 3.5mm jack. Remember that the lightning port can also transmit power, meaning that lightning headphones can have their own amplifier or DAC which will be much better quality than the one included in any phone or tablet.

I purchased the 1More Triple Driver lightning headphones a few weeks ago, and the sound quality is pretty unbelievable for a small pair of earbuds. It's comparable to most high quality over the ear headphones that cost 2-3 times as much.

Sound quality was the least of my concern. A $10 pair of 3.5mm headphones will do the job just fine for me on the flight back.

Sound quality is also not the reason Apple created the lightning headphones. Anybody who cares about sound quality will pay for 3rd party headphones and Lightning is probably the least likely to be purchased by audiophiles.

So while better sound quality is nice, it doesn’t matter if I can’t use the headphones on the devices I’ve got with me. They became a useless paperweight (albeit a very light and small one).

 

[C DM]

The old Apple earbuds were great for me. I still have pairs I use. One I keep at work and use daily. I understand some people don't like them, but plenty of people do.

Don't make rude presumptions about people. Sure, I have other headphones, but didn't think I'd have this much trouble with the new headphones. I was busy thinking of more important things in regards to my trip. My mistake?

I mainly use the older earbuds with the Lighting adapter, that way I basically have the option for either Lightning use or 3.5 mm use if/when needed.