Why Removing the Headphone Jack is a Terrible Idea

Sep 8, 2016 by: Carter Reschke

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Although Apple did not really impress with its special event, it wasn't too bad. The new iPhone 7 had some improvements, including the dual camera and a better screen, and a new Apple Watch with GPS (and Pokémon Go) were welcome additions to the lineup. However, there was one glaring mistake in the presentation: the new iPhone 7 lacks a headphone jack.

While this isn't a problem for Apple, who hopes to profit off of their new wireless AirPods, it poses a threat to users worldwide. First, the only wired headphones now usable must have a lightning connector (or older earbuds can be connected via an adapter), which means that most headphone and earbud users will have to purchase a new pair, unless they enjoy having their old ones plugged into an awkward adapter. Not only that, but it will now be impossible to charge your phone while using wired earbuds unless you're willing to shell out $39 dollars for a clunky adapter. Apple seems to be saying: buy wireless earbuds, or go buy a different phone. Which really isn't the best sales pitch, especially for people who don't like wireless earbuds.

We at AppleBlend think that Apple's removal of the headphone jack from the iPhone 7 is a terrible mistake, and could hurt iPhone sales and Apple reputation. What do you think? Let us know in the comments below.

 

 

5 Comments

  1. Jim Polaski ~ Sep. 8, 2016 @ 8:18 am

    First off, and I'm sorry to be blunt, but you got things wrong! Apple has a lightning --> earphone jack adapter with the phone as they said. Old jack-style earphones are no problem. Second, Apple has a lightning dock for $39 which allows charging and has an earphone jack so you can charge and listen at the same time. Of course you post misinformation which doesn't help Apple at all. #

  2. C. Zaffiro ~ Sep. 8, 2016 @ 9:30 am

    After reading your opinion on my green phosphor screen, I type in my command line instruction and insert a floppy disc containing my fonts I use my three button mouse connected on a serial bus and restart the external modem, I agree Apple is moving too fast! #

  3. Robert ~ Sep. 8, 2016 @ 10:40 am

    Did you pay attention to the keynote? The iPhone is shipping with a lightning to headphone jack adaptor in the box so that you can use your old headphone jack devices with the new iPhones. And maybe you are unaware of current purchase trends, but wireless headphone have just surpassed wired headphones. That's because the difference in quality for people that care about the music they're listening to get better sound from bluetooth and lightning connector headphones. The headphone jack is antiquated technology, 20 years old. It's audio quality is abysmal. Do you still listen to music on a walkman with your headphones? That's 80s tech. The headphone jack is like the old 32 pin serial ports. Oh, and guess what? Motorola beat Apple to it by introducing the first phone without a headphone jack. The new Motorola uses its USB-C for charging and for a USB-C compatible headphone. If someone needs to have wired headphones in their ears constantly and can't bare to take them out while charging, they can get a battery pack. I have a MacBook. It has no power port, no USB ports, no HDMI or video ports - only one USB-C. I've had it since the launch. I do not miss the missing ports. I have an adaptor for USB and HDMI, but rarely use it. The file transfers that I used to use USB sticks for I now do with AirDrop and iCloud Drive. At some point I'd expect event the lightning port to go, to be replaced by wireless charging. You'll probably complain then. #

  4. Carter Reschke ~ Sep. 8, 2016 @ 9:07 pm

    Roger and others, I am aware that the iPhone 7 is being shipped with an adapter, and I have updated the article accordingly. But the point is, unless you're ok with having an awkward adapter connected to your phone (something that doesn't really work in smaller pockets where the phone is already a tight fit), you need to buy a new pair that works with the lightning port or buy wireless earbuds. And Roger, as far as removing the lighting port goes, yes, I'd most definitely complain, because wireless charging would probably mean that your phone would have to be resting on a surface (impractical technology that has already been implemented by Samsung). The only wireless charging I would find useful is a charger that could potentially charge your phone in a 3-5 foot radius from the device. Technology like this has already been experimented with and it has failed so far. It may happen in the future, but it is definitely very, very, far away. #

  5. Snafu ~ Sep. 9, 2016 @ 12:49 am

    Isn't those earbuds' quality worse than an analog connection by design? We are talking the original file compression technique (mp3, mp4 or lossless) plus Bluetooth audio protocol compression. As for Lightning headphones vs analog ones it all depends on the digital-to-analog converter and electric noise shielding, I guess. That's not a matter of Lightning vs analog (in the end it always ends up going through a conversion stage) but overall design so there's not an inherent superiority in quality in Lightning-based headphones. So I don't see the quality advantage other than perhaps Apple not designing too good audio circuitry and/or headphones up to now. And at least one could take the headphones side of things on his own hands. Now it's more cumbersome (dongle-land). #

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