Low-Cost iPad and iPod Touch Are Last iOS Devices With Headphone Jack as iPad Mini 6 Drops Support

[SanderEvers]

I wonder how much longer the iPod Touch will stay. I think 2022 will be the year of the great culling of Apple's mobile line for new features.

Apple released the current iPod Touch when people where saying they would completely stop creating iPods. I think they will keep updating the iPod touch every few years (so I see a "new" iPod touch next year (same design, new SoC) or maybe even an upgraded one with OLED display)

On topic; I don't really care for the 3.5mm jack. Most devices don't have a good internal DAC, so even if I use my headphones wired I use an external DAC that connects over USB-C or lighting.

 

[AlekseyS]

So, now we have to buy one more adapter, right?

 

[bookcase]

I have seen perhaps one or two people using wired headphones after several years of commuting in an urban city. I don't see this as a big loss to the majority of people.

 

[ignatius345]

But at what point do people stop talking about it? We don't think it's coming back... do we?

If the rumors are correct, coming MacBook Pros will be bringing back the SD card slot -- and that's even more of a niche thing at this point.

 

[turbineseaplane]

AirPods and bluetooth earphones existing isn't a good defense for losing the headphone jack.

The versatility of not having both as options, built right in, is the frustration.

A headphone jack being on the device doesn't preclude anyone from using wireless headphones if they'd prefer.

 

[fanofthejack]

I have seen perhaps one or two people using wired headphones after several years of commuting in an urban city. I don't see this as a big loss to the majority of people.

I don't commute. I use my headphones constantly.

Just because you don't see us doesn't mean we aren't there.

Mostly importantly though, does it really hurt anyone's use case if the headphone jack were to return? If you don't need it, then don't use it. Apple is not some infallible sacred cow. They do make mistakes, miscalculations, and mis-judgements from time to time. Not sure why people defend these actions.

 

[bookcase]

I don't commute. I use my headphones constantly.

Just because you don't see us doesn't mean we aren't there.

Mostly importantly though, does it really hurt anyone's use case if the headphone jack were to return? If you don't need it, then don't use it. Apple is not some infallible sacred cow. They do make mistakes, miscalculations, and mis-judgements from time to time. Not sure why people defend these actions.

Not defending them. Just making an observation. But it's pretty clear this was a calculated decision, and with wireless headphones becoming so popular (and cheaper), it's probably unlikely they'll bring them back.

 

[fanofthejack]

Not defending them. Just making an observation. But it's pretty clear this was a calculated decision, and with wireless headphones becoming so popular (and cheaper), it's probably unlikely they'll bring them back.

I'm just baffled by the calculus here. I have skipped 6 generations of iPhones mostly because of this one feature and I'm not the only one. Others have switched to Android over it. A feature that is absolutely dirt cheap to keep and doesn't harm anyone with it's presence.

It seems to me that it was a decision designed to push people to wireless/airpods. Collectively, have they sold enough Airpods to offset people skipping all their phones from 7 to 13? idk... maybe they have?

If the Airpods are good, people will absolutely purchase them with or without the presence of a headphone jack so why alienate any segment of their user base? It's not like Apple headphones aren't insanely overpriced in the first place. Since I have been using iPods/iPhones, I have purchased at least 25 pairs of them over the years. Glad to keep purchasing them as mine wear out as long as they continue to make them with the 3.5mm plug.

 

[Sophisticatednut]

OK, don't have to worry about charging them - that means you are hooked up to an amp. no iPad or smartphone contains an Amp. If they are digital, they take a digital signal, convert it into analog which requires power, most likely batteries which require charging

Do you know a magical thing you can do with two physical ports? One to charge…. And you won’t believe this the 3.5mm jack for wired audio headphones. Nothing extra needed.

do you know what I need with one port solutions? A dongle to connect power and Audi. The cable can break forcing me to get another dongle… instead of the convenient built in solution

 

[turbineseaplane]

Do you know a magical thing you can do with two physical ports? One to charge…. And you won’t believe this the 3.5mm jack for wired audio headphones. Nothing extra needed.

do you know what I need with one port solutions? A dongle to connect power and Audi. The cable can break forcing me to get another dongle… instead of the convenient built in solution

Isn't it wild?
Apple has managed to create a brain warped cult that would seemingly defend anything they do.

Some folks seem like they'd be ok if a new iPad had "no screen" and you just "connect a screen with a dongle"

 

[Sophisticatednut]

All the good wired earphones with 3.5mm jacks have disappeared. Remember when RHA had multiple wired earphones at the Apple store now look what they sell

Lol… you do know that physically as Bluetooth is constructed today. The audio is always inferior to wired. Especially if you have a high quality microphone and headset combined it will suck compared to analog. The bandwidth simply isn’t there

 

[Sophisticatednut]

We don’t need the headphone jack except on the Mac.

What possible benefit is there for end users to remove it?

there are more positive benefits of a headphone jack compared to only usb c.
hell iPhones still use usb 2 snail mail edition

 

[Sophisticatednut]

I have seen perhaps one or two people using wired headphones after several years of commuting in an urban city. I don't see this as a big loss to the majority of people.

Hmm what a coincidence you haven’t seen people use wired headphones because… there is no modern phones to use them on?

funny I haven’t seen anyone using usb c on iPhone, could it be because it doesn’t exist (shocking)

 

[pcote]

Well, this is stupid. I bought AirPods Pro end of December 2019. Got a headache 8 days after using those everyday, even sleeping with them. Today, one year and 10 months later, the headache is still there daily. Sold my AirPods Pro in sadness.

It seems I developed an electro sensitiveness and I can’t go back. It only stops when in the middle of a forest.

Still love Apple products but I totally hate that they force this on their users. (Hello dongles)

If you are curious, Google this: “AirPods headache”.