Motorola's New 'Moto Z' and 'Z Force' Smartphones Have No Headphone Jack

[soupcan]

How about USB-C AND a 3.5mm jack?

I mean, what's the advantage of USB-C headphones (or wireless ones for that matter) over the industry standard 3.5mm? Better sound quality? Nope, depends on the audio source and in everyday life you wouldn't hear the difference anyway. Wireless headphones suffer from interference no matter how good they are from other wireless sources and battery life on the things in general is poop.

 

[applesith]

It's happening. Get used to it people.

 

[Flow39]

Well, if everyone else is getting rid of the headphone jack, I guess I can't be upset that Apple is getting rid of it. I'm surprised that a rumor has forced so many companies' hands into removing it before even knowing Apple's official move.

 

[Dilster3k]

I bet they did this purely because of the rumours that Apple would.

 

[sw1tcher]

Again, companies copying Apple rumors. Lol

I know what you mean.

Apple was first with a 5.5" screen smartphone and ugly camera bump.

 

[agsystems]

That's not a camera bump. That's a camera growth.

Really interesting design choice - is a thinner phone such a desirable feature that you will go to this extent designing a phone?

 

[v0lume4]

Well, if everyone else is getting rid of the headphone jack, I guess I can't be upset that Apple is getting rid of it. I'm surprised that a rumor has forced so many companies' hands into removing it before even knowing Apple's official move.

My thoughts exactly. I gave Apple so much beef for the rumors of them removing the headphone jack, but now I realize that I soon won't have any grounds for argument because everyone else is doing it too!

 

[jamezr]

That's not a camera bump. That's a camera growth.

I know huh! That is one big camera bump! Must be twins then look at those bezels! Whoa!

 

[dannys1]

I agree with you that the Motorola camera protrudes in a hideous way.

May I kindly ask you to refrain from blasphemy?

Many thanks.

Christ almighty.

 

[Flow39]

Both of these new Moto phones are 5.5"

Have companies simply given up trying to make small powerful phones?

Everyone except Apple. The SE is a beast!

 

[Michael Scrip]

Well, if everyone else is getting rid of the headphone jack...

I wouldn't count Motorola's announcement today as "everyone"

But yeah... we might be going down this road soon.

Maybe someday offering a 3.5mm headphone jack will be a special feature. Throwback. Retro.

 

[jamezr]

My thoughts exactly. I gave Apple so much beef for the rumors of them removing the headphone jack, but now I realize that I soon won't have any grounds for argument because everyone else is doing it too!

I am in the same boat as you......I gave Apple all kinds of grief over removing the headphone jack. Now some companies are doing it just based on the rumor Apple is doing it.......

 

[Flow39]

My thoughts exactly. I gave Apple so much beef for the rumors of them removing the headphone jack, but now I realize that I soon won't have any grounds for argument because everyone else is doing it too!

Yeah totally! I don't necessarily like that it's going away, but I can't be mad at any particular manufacturer anymore since this seems to be the trend

 

[duffman9000]

Really interesting design choice - is a thinner phone such a desirable feature that you will go to this extent designing a phone?

Maybe Apple has research indicating that most people use cases which would hide the disgusting tumor , i mean camera bump.

 

[Michael Scrip]

Everyone except Apple. The SE is a beast!

Yep!

But it begs the question: if Apple can somehow squeeze the powerful flagship-level A9 into a tiny phone frame... why can't other companies do the same with the powerful flagship-level Snapdragon 820 ?

Is it because they can't? Or because they won't?

Surely there's a market for small yet powerful phones.

 

[reallynotnick]

Yeah they have to go with USB-C if they are going to make this move, why would I buy headphones that only work with my phone and not my Mac?

Though I'd still miss the headphone connector for sure, it is way more durable than either lightning or USB-C cables and jacks.

 

[Flow39]

Maybe Apple has research indicating that most people use cases which would hide the disgusting tumor , i mean camera bump.

I personally am in that group. I use a case all the time so the camera hump doesn't matter to me one bit.

 

[ksnell]

1. Fill the extra space with wireless charging technology.

2. Supply bluetooth earbuds with each new iPhone.

3. Release wireless charging device with partnership/acquisition of Energous (charges all earbuds, iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches and Macs within range and while in use)

4. Audiophiles using iPhone with high end headphones (oxymoron?) can use a Lightning adapter and a cord.

 

[crsh1976]

Another victory for dongle culture, I guess.

This, but Apple is no stranger to that culture either.

 

[mantan]

I still don't like it. I travel a ton for work and use my earbuds for Skype calls all the time. I think it'll be awhile before earphones are replaced in the laptops across the board....so it'll be trying to keep up with two earbud sets or adapters.

Not a fan of bluetooth. I've been on a plane when you're headphone batteries die. Wired is always reliable.

 

[Flow39]

Yep!

And it begs the question: if Apple can somehow squeeze the powerful flagship-level A9 into a tiny phone frame... why can't other companies do the same with the powerful flagship-level Snapdragon 820 ?

Is it because they can't? Or because they won't?

I feel like they just don't want to honestly. If they did, I could see a good chunk of 4" iPhone users hopping to Android. I know quite a few people who did jump from a bigger iPhone or Android phone to the SE simply because it packs flagship level performance in a super small and excellently designed chassis.

 

[Pablo.A.Pucci]

OHHH!!!! another new elegant phone inspired in the iPhone!!!! jjijijijij

 

[Dave245]

Wow and people complained about the protruding camera on the 6 and 6S.

 

[Flow39]

It's happening. Get used to it people.

It's unfortunate, but yes, it's happening. I'm just hoping that Apple's 3.5 to Lightning adapter isn't more than $20.

 

[ksnell]

The headphone jack is reliable, provides good quality sound and allows the iPhone to be charged whilst listening to music.

Bluetooth is unreliable. Using the Lightning connector doesn't allow for charging. In addition, lightning cables are proprietary and of poor quality compared to 3.5" cables.

There is no good case to be made for removing the headphone jack, and if Apple do, they will see severe falls in iPhone sales and their share price.

Reduced share price because they transition to wireless technology? Seriously?