draugminaion
macrumors 6502
Of course they will charge you, Apple doesn't do free stuff. They might trick some people into thinking it's free by not making it optional.
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POLL: 3.5 mm headphone jack
- Thread starter KJL3000
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draugminaion
macrumors 6502
So, a lightning to USB-C transition too.
Look forward to even more wailing and gnashing of teeth.
The removal of the headphone jack wouldn't just be about making the iPhone thinner. It would increase the water-resistance of the phone. It would provide more space for internal components such as battery and speaker. The iPad Pro's speakers have recently received high praise from a number of early buyers.
But yes, it should allow the iPhone to become thinner too. And, while there is certainly a tradeoff in the elimination of the headphone jack, do you really not see the benefit of making iPhones thinner 'at this point'? For one thing, it helps to bear in mind that the same narrative crops up every time a rumour is released about Apple making a device thinner: 'it's thin enough already', etc. But we're very quick to adapt to the new thinness of a device, and soon see the old devices as archaically thick. I think Apple's really wants to make all non-iPhone smartphones feel like ancient bricks in the hand, in comparison to iPhone.
Apart from reduced bulk, reduced weight is useful too. It's important to separate the weight, bulk, and material composition of the phone. In my opinion, the choice of materials for the current iPhone design was poor - the phone is too slippery and can be difficult to get a grip on. But this has little if anything to do with the device's dimensions. If the back was rubberised, for example (which I don't think it will be!), wouldn't we just want it to be as light and thin as a credit card?
draugminaion
macrumors 6502
Because, Old iPhones stop working the minute a new model is released. It is known!
No, just rebought.
I know for a fact that it will not be everybody.
Not immediately. Digital has had more than a few years already. People need a kick in the but.
Abazigal
Contributor
And then people see the thinner and sexier iPhone 7 in person and all complaints and reservations go out the window.
We all know how this will end.
We all know how this will end.
Fried_Gold
macrumors 601
draugminaion
macrumors 6502
When people need to pay extra to get something extra they complain. When they don't get a choice they think it's free. People are idiots.
Fried_Gold
macrumors 601
nia820
macrumors 68020
Hell no they shouldn't remove it. 3.5mm is industry standard. It is already a hassle to carry around different changing cables ( lightning and micro USB). It would an even bigger hassle to have different headphone cords lying around.
Newtons Apple
Suspended
I honestly believe that they're going to do this. It's another step out of a few that are taking some of the luster off of Apple in my eyes. I still love the products for the most part, but I'm starting to see a trend of milking customers that I just don't like. For instance:
- Continued use of 16GB as the base iOS device storage model, which pushes people to buy the next highest storage tier.
- Making iMac fusion drives, which are years-old tech at this point, an upcharge item rather than a standard configuration.
- Including LTE only in the highest-available configuration on the iPad Pro.
Removing the 3.5mm jack in the phone, to me, just looks like a means to sell 40-50% of iPhone 7 buyers an additional $29 adapter. In addition, it will force headphone manufacturers into paying for MFI certification for their products, further increasing Apple's bottom line. It's a savvy business move, as I genuinely think they can get away with it. But I believe that the move is a disservice to users. That flies in the face of what I like most above Apple - their focus on customer experience above all else.
I have no issue paying the Apple tax when I genuinely believe that the user experience will be better than competitors, but some of these moves look like they're putting a little extra padding into that tax at the expense of customer experience. In my opinion, removing the 3.5mm jack will be another such move.
- Continued use of 16GB as the base iOS device storage model, which pushes people to buy the next highest storage tier.
- Making iMac fusion drives, which are years-old tech at this point, an upcharge item rather than a standard configuration.
- Including LTE only in the highest-available configuration on the iPad Pro.
Removing the 3.5mm jack in the phone, to me, just looks like a means to sell 40-50% of iPhone 7 buyers an additional $29 adapter. In addition, it will force headphone manufacturers into paying for MFI certification for their products, further increasing Apple's bottom line. It's a savvy business move, as I genuinely think they can get away with it. But I believe that the move is a disservice to users. That flies in the face of what I like most above Apple - their focus on customer experience above all else.
I have no issue paying the Apple tax when I genuinely believe that the user experience will be better than competitors, but some of these moves look like they're putting a little extra padding into that tax at the expense of customer experience. In my opinion, removing the 3.5mm jack will be another such move.
draugminaion
macrumors 6502
So 60-50% have been paying for a 3.5mm jack, that they don't want or need, for years. Just to keep the Luddites happy.
High time they start paying and have Apple use the space in the phone for something useful. Maybe something the Luddites don't want and I get for free.
Payback!
How much cheaper do you think the iPhone will cost if Apple remove the headphone socket?
Dude, we get it. You've long since eschewed the current industry standard for audio output on mobile devices and believe everyone who hasn't is a "Luddite." You believe that you've been wrongfully made to pay for an audio output port that you're not using on your device - never mind the fact that your tablet, laptop/desktop, and most likely even television have the same audio output port. Also never mind that there are likely dozens of other features in your device that you've paid for and aren't using. The bitching is getting really old.
Pnr2020
macrumors regular
It will be the worst mistake Apple have ever made if they remove the headphone jack. It's a stupid idea
happycadaver
macrumors regular
draugminaion
macrumors 6502
Great!
But preemtive injured entitlement for support for your legacy stuff and bitching about not getting an adapter free is new and fresh.
Got it!
rambo47
macrumors 65816
Apple is known for pushing the envelope - creating trends - and even shaping the future in computing. They killed off the floppy drive and people howled about it. "Nooooo! We still use fdds all the time!! Flash drives are not mainstream enough! It's too soon!!"
Removing built-in optical drives from both laptops and desktops (iMac) was something that had even me questioning the lads in Cupertino. But I can't remember the last time I needed a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM. And when I do need one I can plug in the SuperDrive via USB that Apple provides.
But the headphone jack? Apple still ships wired headphones with every iPhone. Unless there is an unannounced plan afoot to begin foistiing Bluetooth headphones on us instead of wired earbuds I think Apple would be crazy to remove the jack. Personally I don't believe it's happening any time soon. Maybe 2-3 models down the road, and not until Apple is successfully selling their own Bluetooth earbuds.
Removing built-in optical drives from both laptops and desktops (iMac) was something that had even me questioning the lads in Cupertino. But I can't remember the last time I needed a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM. And when I do need one I can plug in the SuperDrive via USB that Apple provides.
But the headphone jack? Apple still ships wired headphones with every iPhone. Unless there is an unannounced plan afoot to begin foistiing Bluetooth headphones on us instead of wired earbuds I think Apple would be crazy to remove the jack. Personally I don't believe it's happening any time soon. Maybe 2-3 models down the road, and not until Apple is successfully selling their own Bluetooth earbuds.
Not saying they are right or not with this move but we often see stuff on here on iPhone launch day about how Apple arent innovating anymore then when stories start to surface that they are going to do something different like this they get slated for it. Does seem that they cant win whichever way they go.
I suspect if it does get removed then we are looking at headphones that connect into the lightening port will ship with the phone rather than bluetooth ones.
I suspect if it does get removed then we are looking at headphones that connect into the lightening port will ship with the phone rather than bluetooth ones.
Genkakuzai
macrumors regular
Hell no. There is ZERO reason to remove it. It's thin enough already and removing 3.5 mm would be a downright retarded. That is one piece of legacy support they shouldn't remove in the foreseeable future.
Keep the 3.5mm audio port.
An earlier post mentioned that the iPod nano was 5.9mm thick and yet it uses the 3.5mm port. However, Apple says the nano is only 5.4mm thick while the current iPhone 6s is 7.1mm and the 6s Plus is a ponderous 7.3mm. So, where is the need to make anything thinner than the 5.4mm that is already done with the nano? Apple isn't going to suddenly drop the thickness of their phones to something near 5mm.
Also, Apple is never going to put a Lightning connector on a Mac. So, you'll need one set of headphones for you Mac and a different set (or adapter) for your iPhone? Makes no sense whatsoever.
If I had to guess I'd say that the next iPhone will keep the current port configuration -- Lightning + 3.5mm audio out. Following that (or maybe sooner) it will be USB-C instead of Lightning but still with the 3.5mm audio. Beyond that who knows?
An earlier post mentioned that the iPod nano was 5.9mm thick and yet it uses the 3.5mm port. However, Apple says the nano is only 5.4mm thick while the current iPhone 6s is 7.1mm and the 6s Plus is a ponderous 7.3mm. So, where is the need to make anything thinner than the 5.4mm that is already done with the nano? Apple isn't going to suddenly drop the thickness of their phones to something near 5mm.
Also, Apple is never going to put a Lightning connector on a Mac. So, you'll need one set of headphones for you Mac and a different set (or adapter) for your iPhone? Makes no sense whatsoever.
If I had to guess I'd say that the next iPhone will keep the current port configuration -- Lightning + 3.5mm audio out. Following that (or maybe sooner) it will be USB-C instead of Lightning but still with the 3.5mm audio. Beyond that who knows?
lordofthereef
macrumors G5
I see this as an incredibly ridiculously slim possibility. But if it did have USB C I MIGHT (again, MIGHT) even be ok with removal of the 3.5mm jack. The lightning cable does nothing (havent compared spec for spec but this will remain true for most customers regardless) that the USB C doesn't do. Meanwhile it's just a prorietary port that requires special hardware or cables to use. Haveing USB C on iOS, Android, Windows Phone, etc. would be spectacular.