Why did Apple remove the 3.5mm headphone jack?

zhenya said:
The headphone port is limited only by the quality of the DAC and amplifier contained within the phone. The 3.5mm jack is effectively just a wire. Every ultra high end headphone and headphone amplifier uses this 'antiquated' jack because there is nothing wrong with it. Removing the jack just means that the DAC and amp just move to the headphone where they get smaller still and likely lower quality still except in some very expensive implementations like the Audeze lightning headphones. The conversion still happens though, still travels over a piece of wire where that analogue signal moves the driver that your ear hears. You'll notice that Apple didn't mention audio quality as one of their reasons for making this change.
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I've always read that if you have the choice between the using the headphone port for audio vs using the USB, USB is always the way to go.

Also, I'm willing to bet one of the reasons they removed the headphone port was to close up another potential spot where water can get into the phone.
 
Jayson A said:
I've always read that if you have the choice between the using the headphone port for audio vs using the USB, USB is always the way to go.

Also, I'm willing to bet one of the reasons they removed the headphone port was to close up another potential spot where water can get into the phone.
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That entirely depends on the situation. In the car where you want a single connection for charging and sound it makes sense, and you also avoid the double amplification problem. But for headphones the situation is different. Apple's DAC and amp internal to the iPhone have historically been far better than average - extremely flat response, no noise, and very low output impedance. You could definitely hook up a USB device that sounds worse, and I expect many new headphones that need to integrate all these new parts on a limited budget, will.

Waterproof headphone jacks have been available for years.
 
I'm assuming they got rid of the headphone jack for multiple reasons.

1.) Push forward innovation. Just as they did with ridding of the CD Drive, they are trying to build a standard around higher function methods. The thing I disagree with, however, is pushing forward via lightning cable; lightning cables aren't a standard since they are proprietary to Apple.

2.) Make room inside of the phone for better things. Extra space for speaker, battery, whatever else they want to use the space for. In a way, it does feel like the 3.5 jack was outdated since it was something that took a good amount of space, but not something that was used extremely often or by everyone.

3.) I'm sure removing this giant hole in the phone helped greatly with water-proofing the phone.
 
Courage is spurring innovation by creating new, universal standards that move the industry and consumer experience forward. I don't see how implementing a proprietary connector/port accomplishes this.

Not only does it necessitate adapters, it actually limits the functionality of peripheral devices (i.e., lightening-only headphones). Lightening is still proprietary, so there's little incentive for industry to adopt it as the next universal standard; USB-C is already better positioned on that front.

You can still push adoption of BT-enabled devices without eliminating the 3.5mm headphone jack. Why not focus on improving BT-technology/devices, and then let consumers decide which standard is best? Perhaps the 3.5mm headphone jack has remained so ubiquitous precisely because (i) it works, and (ii) it works better than BT. I mean, if BT is truly a compelling alternative, then consumers will prefer it when given the choice. In this respect, eliminating the 3.5mm headphone jack is not forward thinking, it's plainly user hostile.

I much prefer that Apple be guided by reason, not "courage".
 
Doing a chat with Apple support, they can not give specfifics just yet, but it looks like there will be some sort of adpator in the near future
 
just654 said:
I am in the same boat. I dont have a problem with them getting rid of the headphone jack, but they need to make a light adpator to allow both charge and headphone jack
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This would have been a better offering than just the headphone adapter. Of course, the excuse of "we gave you 2 extra hours of battery life" should be sufficient in the eyes of Apple & the die hard fanboys.
 
AbSoluTc said:
I've connected my phone to at least 10 different BT equipped cars. Never had an issue. I have also connected to at least 7 different BT speakers. Also, never an issue.
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Must have been the Sync then.

Most times my BT reconnects fine, but on occasion have to open Settings.
 
CAWjr said:
This would have been a better offering than just the headphone adapter. Of course, the excuse of "we gave you 2 extra hours of battery life" should be sufficient in the eyes of Apple & the die hard fanboys.
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The apple Support person I chated with, said she is in the same boat. So I have a strong feeling that something will be done in the very near future
 
I think Apple removed the headphone jack because they couldn't package the new improved 3D Touch components without losing something. The headphone lost out because they can just stick a lightning connector on a pair of headphones fairly cheaply. They can also throw in a flimsy adapter to try and keep people happy while making it sound revolutionary in the promo.
 
eyoungren said:
Because some of those things are familiar and some of those things are held on to and some of those things are practical/for safety.

But none of those things with the exception of the last two (people holding on to what they know and safety) move technology forward.
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or because it is so ubiquitous that one can get it for FREE (airlines give for free, for instance).

I can go anywhere to get a new headphone with 3.5mm jack for a couple of bucks.
I even use a regular head set instead of the mic equipped iPhone hands free head set (I just keep phone close to mouth and speak a little louder, other side hears fine)
 
just654 said:
Doing a chat with Apple support, they can not give specfifics just yet, but it looks like there will be some sort of adpator in the near future
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The adapter is free and in the iPhone 7 box. This is why I don't understand why people are complaining.
 
sdwaltz said:
The adapter is free and in the iPhone 7 box. This is why I don't understand why people are complaining.
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The same reason people complained about needing headphone adapters with the first iPhone. No one wants to carry around various adapters for a phone, which usually resides in one's pants pockets. I guess if I only had thing that needed an adapter, it would be one thing, but I have several uses for the 3.5mm jack, so I either need to carry the adapter all the time, or buy a bunch of them.
 
douglasf13 said:
The same reason people complained about needing headphone adapters with the first iPhone. No one wants to carry around various adapters for a phone, which usually resides in one's pants pockets. I guess if I only had thing that needed an adapter, it would be one thing, but I have several uses for the 3.5mm jack, so I either need to carry the adapter all the time, or buy a bunch of them.
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That, and when I'm in a car that has an older radio and I need the 3.5mm jack, I also like to charge my phone at the same time. Can't do that anymore. </3
 
PracticalMac said:
Takes courage to make obviously stupid mistakes.

Speaking for myself, even though I rarely use the headphone jack, the LAST thing I need is to find a dongle to use an ubiquitous world wide standard.

Might as well remove the steering wheel from a car. (use iPhone to steer it)
Or the number in front of the house (Google maps can pinpoint, don't need to look for it)


In the past Apple products had versatility and options the PC world dreamed of. Now its being shaved until there is no redundancy. MacBook with USB-C, more dongles to spend on, and not have on when you need it.


====EDIT UPDATE=====


No earphones with iPhone 7 it seems.

Is the Lightning adapter in stock now?


Guess not (but 7 wont be distributed till 16th, probably will be in stock then)

#Nojacknoiphone7
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Future tech future proof analogue is old tech digital is not even new any more i'm surprised they waited this long!
 
zhenya said:
Far from impossible to waterproof without it.
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That's true, but not having the port at all is still incrementally more waterproof. I did a downhill faceplant in the snow, shoving snow up the headphone port. The snow shorted connectors in the jack, making the phone think there were headphones plugged in. All audio routed to the non-existent headphones, meaning no audio until I could get home and shove a q-tip in there to get the water out.

As someone who routinely uses a dock, I can't use the bottom-facing headphone port anyway, so it's just a liability to me.
 
PracticalMac said:
or because it is so ubiquitous that one can get it for FREE (airlines give for free, for instance).

I can go anywhere to get a new headphone with 3.5mm jack for a couple of bucks.
I even use a regular head set instead of the mic equipped iPhone hands free head set (I just keep phone close to mouth and speak a little louder, other side hears fine)
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Just because a technology is ubiquitous doesn't mean it's the better option. Consistently reverting to ubiquitous technology can also lead to stagnation and failure to innovate.
 
The-Real-Deal82 said:
I think Apple removed the headphone jack because they couldn't package the new improved 3D Touch components without losing something. The headphone lost out because they can just stick a lightning connector on a pair of headphones fairly cheaply. They can also throw in a flimsy adapter to try and keep people happy while making it sound revolutionary in the promo.
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This is probably closer to the truth than anyone is willing to admit.

Frankly, I'd take the headphone jack over 3D touch. Even if it is "magical".
 
SPNarwhal said:
That, and when I'm in a car that has an older radio and I need the 3.5mm jack, I also like to charge my phone at the same time. Can't do that anymore. </3
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Yeah, some of my friend's cars use the AUX jack, and we take turn playing music. I guess I could carry around an adapter or bluetooth unit to use in their cars. lol

I also use the 3.5mm jack for my instrument inputs/recording.
 
As someone who leaves the phone charging whilst listening to music for c. 8 hours a day I'm wondering how I can continue to charge and listen at the same time now. Unless it is no longer possible.

Due to the low signal in my office, my phone uses more battery power than normal.
 
AdamA9 said:
As someone who leaves the phone charging whilst listening to music for c. 8 hours a day I'm wondering how I can continue to charge and listen at the same time now. Unless it is no longer possible.

Due to the low signal in my office, my phone uses more battery power than normal.
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Bluetooth~~
 
PracticalMac said:
Takes courage to make obviously stupid mistakes.

Speaking for myself, even though I rarely use the headphone jack, the LAST thing I need is to find a dongle to use an ubiquitous world wide standard.

Might as well remove the steering wheel from a car. (use iPhone to steer it)
Or the number in front of the house (Google maps can pinpoint, don't need to look for it)


In the past Apple products had versatility and options the PC world dreamed of. Now its being shaved until there is no redundancy. MacBook with USB-C, more dongles to spend on, and not have on when you need it.


====EDIT UPDATE=====


No earphones with iPhone 7 it seems.

Is the Lightning adapter in stock now?


Guess not (but 7 wont be distributed till 16th, probably will be in stock then)

#Nojacknoiphone7
Click to expand...

Why? Because they can. And there's a set of headphones with lightning connector in the box.

Screen Shot 2016-09-07 at 1.22.20 PM.png
 
people need to learn we are going to be in some tough wire and connector times. Old stuff gets cut now if you like it or not.

Be it lightning headphones or USB-C. Both phones and computers will have a confusing time to get everything to new standards.
 
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