“If there is one prevailing rumor about this year’s iPhone is that Apple could be ditching the headphone port, and that in its place we could be looking at a second set of speakers,” Tyler Lee reports for Ubergizmo.
“Now so far the rumors have been a bit back and forth regarding the second speaker replacing the headphone port, but now a new photo has seemingly ‘confirmed’ it,” Lee reports. “The image above obtained by Nowhereelse.fr shows the alleged chassis of the iPhone 7, and as you can see, the headphone port is clearly gone.”
Lee reports, “In its place, Apple seems to have added another set of grills which we can only imagine will be for the speakers, or maybe even the microphone.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Hopefully this is a real iPhone part and Apple is really about to dump the 3.5mmm anachronism.
Of course, beyond corded earbuds, if you’d prefer no wires at all, you can just go Bluetooth. While working out, we’ve been using wireless Jaybirds for some time now (currently the Jaybird X2 Sport Wireless Bluetooth Headphones, around $100 at Amazon). They’re easy to charge, easy to pair, light and comfortable, sound great, and work perfectly with our Apple Watches and iPhones.
SEE ALSO:
iPhone 7 rumored to get second speaker, larger camera – June 27, 2016
Apple is known for dumping legacy tech before the rest of the world catches up – June 27, 2016
iOS 9 code reveals Apple’s plans to dump 3.5mm headphone jack in future iPhones – January 20, 2016
Apple’s intention to kill the 3.5mm headphone jack is brilliant – January 13, 2016
iPhone 7 said to be waterproof, replace 3.5mm headphone jack with Apple’s Lightning – January 8, 2016
The fastest Lightning cable is also one of the least expensive – January 8, 2016
Apple will drop headphone jack to make the iPhone 7 super slim, source confirms; wireless charging and waterproof, too – January 7, 2016
Petition demands Apple keep 3.5mm headphone jack in the ‘iPhone 7’ – January 7, 2016
More reports claim Apple has dumped the 3.5mm headphone jack on iPhone 7 – January 5, 2016
Why Apple may axe the 3.5mm headphone jack – June 20, 2014
Apple may be poised to kill off the 3.5mm headphone jack – June 7, 2014
Apple may ditch analog 3.5mm headphone jack for Lightning to make thinner devices – June 6, 2014
Apple introduces MFi specs for Lightning cable headphones, iOS software update to deliver support – June 5, 2014
Apple preps HD audio for iOS 8 plus new Apple In-Ear Headphones and lightning cable – May 13, 2014
Apple patents biometric sensor-packed health monitoring earphones with ‘head gesture’ control – February 18, 2014
Apple paves way for more affordable iOS accessories with lower MFi and Lightning licensing fees – February 7, 2014
Bring it on. I wasn’t a believer of dumping it before, but then I bought a set of lightning headphones and there is a significant difference in audio quality. So, I say yes. Bring it.
Which headphones did you get? How much did they cost?
Sony MDR1ADAC with hi res audio. They are very good. And they still support inline volume control and phone calls. ~$299.99
If you or Apple think that the mainstream consumer is going to replace their current decent aftermarket $40 earbuds with reliable 3.5mm jack in exchange for a $300 pair of Lightning headphones, you must be crazy.
If Apple makes the lighting connector the default, there will be plenty of $40 lightning headphones floating around. Lightning will simply replace the 3.5mm jack. Just like with usb, thunderbolt, Sata, Dvi, DisplayPort, multitouch, the mouse, etc… Just like all the other technologies that apple mainstreamed first. They all started out with high end accessories and eventually became standard and deployed by the entire industry.
Right now lightning is not the default connector, it’s a luxury. But once it is the interface, the accessory price plummets. Especially since there is a noticeable quality difference even from my other hi res headphones that use 3.5mm connectors.
Nothing with a lightning connector today costs less than ~$40, even if it’s just a simple wiring adapter. In my opinion, Lightning is a symbol of Apple’s greed. It’s not that the connector doesn’t work as good as the legacy (also poorly designed) 30-pin dock connector. But it’s proprietary and costs way too much. It does nothing that Micro USB or USB-C doesn’t already do. Apple’s continued push of proprietary connectors and overpriced adapters is an embarrassment that only undermines the user experience and the value of the brand. Even if Apple gave adapters away for free, which they should, Lightning adapters necessary to allow the continued use of customers’ favorite existing headphones is a klunky experience that completely negates whatever thinness benefit Ive thinks he could implement. Apple would do better to add thickness to the iPhone and deliver what users really want: flush camera with better optics, and more adequate battery capacity.
If Apple removes the DAC and 3.5mm analog audio jack from within the iPhone, then the customer will be forced to buy an external DAC at the minimum. He probably would have to buy a special adapter to allow him to listen and charge at the same time. And if he goes wireless heaphones, then he will have to charge up his headphones and carry an additional charger to do that. At what cost? You may choose to pay $300 for incremental audio quality improvement, but most people will not.
Legacy tech, let it die.
Reviews for Jaybird X2 Sport Wireless Bluetooth Headphones not too impressive.
Some people are quite content with crappy listening experience.
F Off. Tim Cook is the mastermind behind Apple’s success and we the stockowners thank him for creating this money making machine. We wish Tim Cook a new Billion dollar option plan because he has earned it. He made us wilthy rich.
Spoken like a true sycophant.