I don't think wireless is ready to replace wired headphones yet. Bluetooth 5 may solve outage and bandwidth problems, but battery life is awful.
Apple were planning to remove it from the anniversary iPhone but i'm guessing they chose to do it now in order to push companies to make better wireless solutions and also to get consumers adapted to wireless.
They aren't going to switch to USB-C, with all the audio lightning products (including adapters) that will be released, switching would be a stupid move for a company that's just annoyed customers by removing the headphone jack.
I've not got the ear of an audio file but to the average listener who I see using Apple's standard hands free or Beats I don't believe they would notice the difference, for now Bluetooth headsets are good enough and the technology will only improve.
The battery life on wireless headsets are improving with some (the latest bose) claiming to have more than 15 hours+ of battery life, which is better than some smartphones.
Apple are always annoying their customers, I remember the cries when the 30 pin was dropped, arguments over optical drive, lack of Blu-ray etc, fact is they change people moan then they just get on with it and argue over the next alleged change.
If they did it would not be a big deal, they will do what they always do, provide an adapter (maybe including the headphone jack).
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This^ I appreciate the 3.5 Jack, but it will be deleted by the iPhone 7 or the 2017 iPhone. It's days are numbered and it makes sense. With the Jack being deleted, it allows for a possible larger battery or wireless charging.
Bluetooth is finally becoming the universal and with Bluetooth 5 on the cusp, it's logical at this point. If Apple does delete the Jack, will they provide an adapter? Will Apple provide the option for the user for a quality set of Bluetooth EarPods in the box? I think everyone knows it will be deleted, but how will Apple address and remedy the alteration? What the costs are is another question.
I'm with you on this, granted I'm biased because I want to see the death of wires and a real industry push for wireless charging and technology.
I believe that until the headphone jack goes, wireless headsets will not improve as fast as they can.
Apple is notoriously stingy, I think they will sell the Lightening to headphone jack adapter separately.
I think the headsets they will include will be cheap wireless ones but it ould be good if they did chuck in some decent beats wireless headphones but this is the company still running with 16gb base models.
When I was working for a phone retailer who made their on headphones, apparently they are cheap to produce, I don't think it will cost Apple much.
I personally would of preferred a big hit with the anniversary iphone.