Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Supply Chain Rumors Reaffirm iPhone 7 Will Not Have Headphone Jack

doelcm82 said:
Since this is so far just a rumor, it may not yet be time, and the iPhone 7 might have the same headphone jack as before.

However:
Every time Apple makes a change (such as making the optical drive an optional accessory), there is a group of people who think it is no big deal because they don't use the old technology that much anyway, and there is another group of people whose workflows depend desperately on keeping the old technology in place indefinitely.

Perhaps you were in the first group for the optical drive. But it doesn't follow that being in the second group for the 3.5mm jack means Apple is making a mistake.

Those who needed the optical drive to be permanently inside their mac (and included in the price whether other people needed it or not) rather than hanging off the side were just as sure that Apple was dead wrong as those who feel that an optional adapter to make their old headset work with an iPhone is a totally unworkable solution.
Click to expand...

This is true. But at the time of the optical drive I could already see my family and friends dependence on it very low. But now the dependence on the 3.5 mm jack is high amongst my friends and family. I'd consider most of them average consumers too. To be fair I could probably adjust to Bluetooth headphones with minimal fuss, I just don't really see what benefit we're gaining from losing it. When we lost the optical drive at least there was significant space savings.

If they want to lose the 3.5mm jack they need to proactively push Bluetooth headphones and push adoption. Maybe with the iPhone 7 they could include a 3.5mm jack, but put Bluetooth EarPods in the box. If they did this then people would probably start picking up the Bluetooth headphones and when the next iteration comes around there will be that many less people dependent on the 3.5mm jack.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MaloCS
Popeye206 said:
I don't have any problem with this as long as there's an adaptor for the transition time... which I'm sure there will be.
Click to expand...

What transition time? The only transition is you ditching your old headphones and buying some Lightning ones (with a $50 premium).
 
iSee said:
People who buy a lot of headphones will continue to buy a lot of headphones. They can at least spring for an adapter. Anyway, this is an audiophile-friendly move. They will love the chance to choose their own DACs rather than being stuck with the one that comes with the phone.
Click to expand...

I can use my own DAC with my iPhone right now . You just have to use the USB camera lightning adapter.

How is this a friendly audiophile move? Since iPhone 4 I have been using an iPhone as a source and bypassing the DAC.
 
I would totally prefer the all-in-one, especially if it benefited better water resistance. Aside from everything else, I'm just tired of using any kind of cables.
 
Roadstar said:
Getting something physical from Apple for just $10? In which reality? :)
Click to expand...
Basing this on current adapters that average $15. I don't see a headphone adapter being $50, which is all I was really saying.
[doublepost=1452012865,1452012782][/doublepost]
beanbaguk said:
With a crappy DAC and therefore inferior quality audio.
Click to expand...
Perhaps. Most people looking for an adapter probably aren't into hi fidelity music. I would need one for running. THat's about it.
[doublepost=1452013105][/doublepost]
chasonstone said:
This is true. But at the time of the optical drive I could already see my family and friends dependence on it very low. But now the dependence on the 3.5 mm jack is high amongst my friends and family. I'd consider most of them average consumers too. To be fair I could probably adjust to Bluetooth headphones with minimal fuss, I just don't really see what benefit we're gaining from losing it. When we lost the optical drive at least there was significant space savings.

If they want to lose the 3.5mm jack they need to proactively push Bluetooth headphones and push adoption. Maybe with the iPhone 7 they could include a 3.5mm jack, but put Bluetooth EarPods in the box. If they did this then people would probably start picking up the Bluetooth headphones and when the next iteration comes around there will be that many less people dependent on the 3.5mm jack.
Click to expand...
I dopn't feel like I am gaining anything from bluetooth headphones. Another battery to produce, another battery to charge, another charge to keep track of. I am interested to hear how Apple justifies this.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MaloCS
Mildredop said:
What transition time? The only transition is you ditching your old headphones and buying some Lightning ones (with a $50 premium).
Click to expand...
Assuming we don't get an adapter, and assuming the new earponds will be lightning, it may be a simple cable splice job to make an adapter lol.
 
joeblow7777 said:
I appreciate that but with all due respect I don't think that you explained very well. If they want to encourage more support for wireless audio technology, find a way to make it more appealing to people than traditional headphones so that we CHOOSE it. Don't remove the alternative before the new option is superior just to force people to accept it.
Click to expand...

Aye, it's jump or be pushed these days but that's just the way it is.

What I meant in terms of tech progression is if Apple is behind something it tends to get the rest of the industry in motion a lot quicker than if they hadn't, so what we'll likely see something like this:

2016 - Apple drop headphone jack
2017 - More BT & lightning headsets come on the market
2017 onwards - BT audio quality increases at a faster rate than previously
2018 - Android phones start to drop the jack in favour of BT audio and USB-C audio
2020 - BT becomes the new base standard, Apple uses Lightning for wired and Android uses USB-C
2022 - Jack becomes history

If Apple doesn't drop the jack then the industry will continue to use it and technology never moves on. I say Apple here because I believe they're the only ones brave enough to do it first.
 
friedmud said:
In flight entertainment systems are going out of style just like the 3.5mm port. They are being replaced with: wireless (wifi streaming to your phone and tablet).

Since everyone carries a touch screen entertainment device with them there is no reason to put one in the back of seats. Look for all in-flight entertainment to switch over to streaming only.

As a bonus: they won't have to support Lightning at all: because your "screen" will.
Click to expand...

Fantastic, I get to enjoy the movie on an even smaller screen! Progress!

FYI, the airlines don't refresh their cabins as often as you and I buy a new iPhone. Most planes that rolled off the assembly line in 2015 still do this the old way, and they're not all getting updated within a decade.
 
Luis Mazza said:
Bluetooth earphones are terribly unreliable compared to wired earphones. Even Apple's included earphones are crap to workout... I have lost 3 already and gave up using them to a waterproof Senheiser that has being lasting for two years. Apple better waterproof the hell out of the 7's earphones and make them a lot more reliable or else, Android here I go.
Click to expand...

Headphones really mean more to you than everything else that's kept you with iPhone so far?
 
lordofthereef said:
I dopn't feel like I am gaining anything from bluetooth headphones. Another battery to produce, another battery to charge, another charge to keep track of. I am interested to hear how Apple justifies this.
Click to expand...
That's how I felt the first time I saw someone using a bluetooth headset to make phone calls. I mean, really! You need a wireless device to connect to your wireless device? This was even before Apple's iPhone.

I never got the hang of keeping a bluetooth headset charged, so it never worked out for me (though I did appreciate not having the wire getting caught on things or tugging at my ear every time I moved). Lots of people use them, so I don't expect my preferences to be the ones that take root.
 
I can't remember, didn't one of the iPod Shuffles only work with Apple's earbuds?

Either way, this doesn't bother me as I don't use headphones. Bring on a new 4" iPhone though, for the love of God, Apple.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Benjamin Frost
doelcm82 said:
That's how I felt the first time I saw someone using a bluetooth headset to make phone calls. I mean, really! You need a wireless device to connect to your wireless device? This was even before Apple's iPhone.

I never got the hang of keeping a bluetooth headset charged, so it never worked out for me (though I did appreciate not having the wire getting caught on things or tugging at my ear every time I moved). Lots of people use them, so I don't expect my preferences to be the ones that take root.
Click to expand...

I used bluetooth headsets before. Two in fact, for the gym, both of which came heavily recommended by users here. I thought they were terrible. And having to worry about yet another thing to charge every 2-3 days, at the most, was not my cup of tea.

The gym being the only time I use headphones (outside of flying on a plane that happens maybe twice a year), corded will always be my thing. Considering my lightning cables get torn up within a year while I have had the same gym buds going on four years, I also don't have much faith in Apple's adapter, should they release one.

I will likely spring for a third party set of buds. Hoping yurbuds makes a good pair quickly, assuming these changes come into effect. It will be super neat having lightning headphones that can't be used with anything but Apple products. Definitely what I have been waiting for. LOL.
[doublepost=1452014217,1452014160][/doublepost]
neoelectronaut said:
I can't remember, didn't one of the iPod Shuffles only work with Apple's earbuds?

Either way, this doesn't bother me as I don't use headphones. Bring on a new 4" iPhone though, for the love of God, Apple.
Click to expand...
No. But it did charge through a strange cable that was basically a 3.5mm port made for charging. Not sure if there are other examples of this from other manufacturers, but it's certainly not the typical way to charge.
 
thekeyring said:
Headphones really mean more to you than everything else that's kept you with iPhone so far?
Click to expand...

Your question wasn't addressed to me, but I can say that one of the main things that has kept me with iPhones is that they provided a natural replacement for my iPod, which was my main device for listening to music. If Apple is going to (in my opinion) detract from the iPhone's convenience as a music player, I would definitely consider other brands whereas before the iPhone would have been my default decision. There are other good phones to chose from. Either way, don't worry, I won't be one of those people who complains, and complains, still buys it, and still complains.
 
ghsNick said:
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.
Click to expand...

I'm sure there will be plenty of people who will agree with this. For me, I'm already less enthused to purchase Apple stuff when it looks like Type-C is coming alive. I don't currently use a cell phone, (ubiquitous WiFi with Google, Skype, and iMessage have made it just not a priority for me), and perusing phones now, I'd be more persuaded by a Type-C connector than not.

I have a bt headset I use with my iPad for communication. It's okay. But the fidelity is off, and it's a little uncomfortable. Plugging them in to recharge isn't my favorite thing, either. I always reach for my wired JVC flats for actually hearing things clearly.

For people like me, this isn't even a consideration. I'm not buying lightning headphones only usable with iOS devices. Wouldn't consider it. Wouldn't think twice about it. And I'm not "angry" about it. I just shrug and move on. I wouldn't be surprised if this move actually meets with some resentment.
 
I really do not want another adapter that one can lose easily. I have rather nice bose earphones and rather not have a 3.5 mm adapter just so I can use them and really do not want to fork over more money for headphones that are only useful on an iPhone! This thinness fetish of Apple really has to stop. The removal of floppy drives on the iMac made sense but removal 3.5 mm jack makes no sense.
 
Wow, Just when I thought Apple could not go further down the toilet. Im sure it will be even thiner then my bent iPhone 6 plus with a battery that dies even faster.

I sure a herd of sheeple will buy it. Personally, I am done with apple.
 
lordofthereef said:
No. But it did charge through a strange cable that was basically a 3.5mm port made for charging. Not sure if there are other examples of this from other manufacturers, but it's certainly not the typical way to charge.
Click to expand...

I think they are referring to the iPod shuffle 3rd generation that required the controls be on the headset. You could use regular headphones, but then there was no way to control the volume. Boom: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201895
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back