Supply Chain Rumors Reaffirm iPhone 7 Will Not Have Headphone Jack

[jmgregory1]

I'm not interested in switching from 8 track to cassette. I'm not interested in switching from cassette to cd. I'm not interested in switching from cd to digital download.

Comments like these, along with the "I'm not going to buy new headphones to replace the 5 pair I already own." remind me of what I heard in the early 70's, the 80's, and the 90's with the transitions that occurred in moving from vinyl to tape, tape to cd, cd to digital, or even on the computer side with the move from large format floppy, to 3.5" floppy to cd-r to solid state. I get it, people have boxes of stuff based around an existing technology, which was an investment that they want to be able to continue to use, but these changes will keep happening whether they like it or not.

There has been a very large shift in buying behaviors because of the increased speed at which technology is advancing. Think of how we used to keep home phones, or the early cell phones, which cost so much, you kept it as long as it kept working, same with computers and their associated accessories and consumables. Today, we move into and out of technology so quickly, where even the iPhones we're using are effectively meant to be replaced on a yearly cycle. It's crazy just how fast these shifts are happening.

Electronic progress will keep marching on, and if Apple and every other manufacturer listened to consumers on what they want, vs forward progress, we wouldn't be talking about iPhones, et al, in the first place.

 

[LordQ]

I guess the iPhone 7 will have another new feature, aptX support for high-quality Bluetooth stream if they want people to adopt wireless. My headphones and wallet are ready for this phone.

 

[coffeemadmanUK]

I know people are going to be angry about this... But like it or not, this has to happen sooner or later, and there is never really going to be a better time than now - waiting won't make it any easier. The 3.5mm jack takes up a significant amount of space, and on a small device, that space matters. Keeping the headphone jack is just delaying the inevitable.

This reminds me of when people were slamming Apple for not adding Blu-Ray to Mac. Steve asserted that streaming was the future, and look now... who really wants a blu-ray drive? Yes, it sucked for a couple of years while we transition to newer technology, but there's not way around that. The headphone issue is really the same philosophy - simpler products, wireless when possible. I have no doubt that after couple of years (which may include some transition pains), people will fully support moving on from the legacy 3.5mm jack.

If they were moving to another universal system I'd agree. But this is "Apple-only" which is not good for the consumer. Design a headphone connector that is open to all, sure. I'll go along with it. This way? Not good.

 

[jmgregory1]

Great, but they could and should still have standardised. They should give us a USBC port with USBC to Lightning and/or USBC to headphone adaptor.

I'm sure this is exactly where Apple is headed. I doubt they'll "give" adapters away, but rather offer them for those that want backwards compatibility.

 

[iReality85]

I'm totally fine with this.

How often do people actually have both the Lightning and headphone ports occupied? I'd say 95% of the time, it's either one or the other. About the only exception for me is sometimes at work. And with wireless charging, this would be moot anyway.

 

[Crzyrio]

Being a standard option does not mean it works well. My car has sensors to tell me if people are driving to fast as I back up. It works great as long as I am backing up out of car wash. Bluetooth is "fine" for music, but still sounds like garbage for phone calls.

Bluetooth actually works very nicely for calls, for me.

Apple removing the headphone jack will push people to make better headphones.

Right now there are barely any affordable options.

 

[jlc1978]

Since I am entirely too lazy to read 400+ comments. Did anyone say how the heck you can charge your phone and listen to music via wired headphones at the same time? Did anyone address how to charge your phone and connect to a car's aux connection at the same time?

Supply an adaptor with a 3.5mm jack and pass through lightening port; similar to what is available for AV adapters.

 

[JacobVR]

hm this would dramatically increase the likelihood of me switching to Android

 

[shaown]

I think you mean 5% of the time

 

[762999]

This would also increase the headphone price since they have to embed a DAC in each pair of headphones (wired or not). So far I'm happy with my Note4!

 

[roadbloc]

It better come with a Bluetooth adapter for headphones then.

 

[762999]

It better come with a Bluetooth adapter for headphones then.

well they should also give a lightning hub so you could plug 2 things at once (charger and headphone).. but the phone will be so thin!

 

[Jsameds]

This would also increase the headphone price since they have to embed a DAC in each pair of headphones (wired or not). So far I'm happy with my Note4!

If Apple ditch the jack then Sammy won't be far behind!

 

[iSee]

I thought this rumor sounded crazy until I realized I hadn't used my 3.5mm jack in months... and just a few times in total since I got my phone over a year ago.

Now that I'm thinking about it, I'm surprised Apple hasn't already done this. Dropping an obsolete port whose only advantage is compatibility is good for everyone after the adjustment period.

I'm not worried about the quality of DACs either. You can get an audiophile experience if you want one -- it's better anyway if the DAC is designed and tightly integrated with the rest of the components. You have to get a bunch of other ducks in a row in any case if you want high quality audio (high quality source files, isolated environment). Unless you're going to do the work to get everything set up, going beyond a basic decent DAC is pointless.

 

[Rogifan]

If they were moving to another universal system I'd agree. But this is "Apple-only" which is not good for the consumer. Design a headphone connector that is open to all, sure. I'll go along with it. This way? Not good.

Well they're probably going to push wireless and Apple isn't using anything proprietary there.

 

[doelcm82]

Since I am entirely too lazy to read 400+ comments. Did anyone say how the heck you can charge your phone and listen to music via wired headphones at the same time? Did anyone address how to charge your phone and connect to a car's aux connection at the same time?

Yes, and yes.

All of it is speculation at this point, since this is only a rumor. There will likely be an adapter that allows both. It will not be free, or included with the iPhone, since the only people who need it are the ones who actually do those things. I won't need them, because I have bluetooth speakers at home and my cars have usb ports (and one also has bluetooth audio).

 

[coffeemadmanUK]

Well they're probably going to push wireless and Apple isn't using anything proprietary there.

In that case don't have any headphone socket and ship with a bluetooth headphone.

Like I said, I'll go along with something that is universal.

 

[Ludatyk]

I guess for me... I've already been adjusted to this already.

I use Bluetooth headphones, been awhile since I used the headphone jack for the iPhone... I use Bluetooth in the car as well.

 

[Neil87567]

I'm not interested in switching from 8 track to cassette. I'm not interested in switching from cassette to cd. I'm not interested in switching from cd to digital download.

Comments like these, along with the "I'm not going to buy new headphones to replace the 5 pair I already own." remind me of what I heard in the early 70's, the 80's, and the 90's with the transitions that occurred in moving from vinyl to tape, tape to cd, cd to digital, or even on the computer side with the move from large format floppy, to 3.5" floppy to cd-r to solid state. I get it, people have boxes of stuff based around an existing technology, which was an investment that they want to be able to continue to use, but these changes will keep happening whether they like it or not.

Cassette, CD, DVD, Floppy, Vinyl, 3.5mm Jacks, VHS, USB, Blueray... all of those are universally available. 3.5mm analog audio connectors are cheap and low-tech, but certainly not the optimum when it comes to audio quality. So changing to USB-C of some sort would make sense. But the "Lightning" connector system is a custom island-solution for Apple Land, and we customers can happily buy Apple-specific headphones and / or adapters to connect to the world outside of the apple universe.

Which means dorky adapters on our super-thin hightech phones for us, and more money for Apple.

 

[centauratlas]

EM radiation near your head? Best to avoid that if possible.

Wired is important. Charging and using headphones is useful too.

 

[DudeDad]

Remember when everyone complained about the Lightning Connector? Now everyone loves it.

I'm sure no one will miss the 3.5mm headphone jack in 2-3 years.

The difference here is that the cost of replacing your nice wired headphones is much greater than replacing a cable. I find that bluetooth headphones cannot compare to a nice pair of headphones. Not even close. Just try some Grados or B&O H6 headphones.

 

[cmichaelb]

Does the idea of taking a free/included adapter & attaching it to your precious Sony earbuds, then forgetting it's even there REALLY get you that "pissed"????

#firstworldproblems
#calmdownffs
#imworriedaboutyourbloodpressure

Yes. Adapters get lost too easily. The adapter will have to be nearly 1" inch in length. It's a unnecessary nuisance when you have company that can make devices that are 6.1.mm (iPod touch), 5.3mm (iPod nano) thick and still have a 3.5mm jack. The iPhone 6s family are 7.1 and 7.3mm thick.

This isn't like the 30 pin connector, 3.5mm is a universal standard. The 30 pin needed to go and I for one loved the change to lightning. (USB -C should have used the same design style.)

Why needlessly annoy your clients? I can't use Apple ear buds, they don't fit and sound terrible. I use ear buds a LOT so yes, this will be a nuisance.

The only reason I can think of why they would feel this is necessary-

They need the internal space. Either for adding a new component or re-configuring the internal layout to cram a bigger battery in the phones.

I am calm. This is a RUMOR. We all know they Apple tests many different prototypes. One benefit would be hopefully no more adapters with Mophies. Hopefully, if this comes true, the next gen Mophies it will have a lightning pass through port.

I do find your whole response a bit condescending.

EM radiation near your head? Best to avoid that if possible.

Wired is important. Charging and using headphones is useful too.

The difference here is that the cost of replacing your nice wired headphones is much greater than replacing a cable. I find that bluetooth headphones cannot compare to a nice pair of headphones. Not even close. Just try some Grados or B&O H6 headphones.

Thank you - excellent points all around.

 

[Iconoclysm]

Ridiculously stupid move that has zero benefit for the consumer but makes another cash cow for Tim and his cronies.

I'm sure apple would love to sell 50 dollar adapters and all that juicy lightning licensing money.

I do love seeing people say things have "zero benefit". It's categorically incorrect EVERY time it is said. There has to be some benefit, even if that benefit means never needing to manage 3.5mm connectors again.

 

[Jsameds]

There's something odd about hearing Apple users complain about a proprietary port.

 

[GLS]

EM radiation near your head? Best to avoid that if possible.

Then you best never use or possess a cell phone, much less a smart phone.