Supply Chain Rumors Reaffirm iPhone 7 Will Not Have Headphone Jack

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Didn't Apple have a patent that was like...

A while ago when talk first came of them ditching the headphone jack (I'm talking YEARS ago) it was because it was something that would eventually prevent the iPhone from becoming thinner.

So Apple patented this crazy idea where the headphone jack is actually very small, put when you plug the jack into the port, the port like expands to make room? I wonder if I can find it. I also wonder if that was an idea that died with Jobs.
 
WordAssassin said:
Didn't Apple have a patent that was like...

A while ago when talk first came of them ditching the headphone jack (I'm talking YEARS ago) it was because it was something that would eventually prevent the iPhone from becoming thinner.

So Apple patented this crazy idea where the headphone jack is actually very small, put when you plug the jack into the port, the port like expands to make room? I wonder if I can find it. I also wonder if that was an idea that died with Jobs.
Click to expand...

honestly I don't think removing the headphone jack is about thinness, it's about the depth of the component. the headphone jack takes up a lot of horizontal space in the device.
 
icespide said:
honestly I don't think removing the headphone jack is about thinness, it's about the depth of the component. the headphone jack takes up a lot of horizontal space in the device.
Click to expand...

True, but this patent was specifically about thinness though, I found it! It was from 2011.

patentsheadphones.jpg
Click to expand...

They did three methods:

1) The connector was just fuckin open to the air so the jack would actually stick out when plugged in

2) The part of the phone above/below the jack was covered in a flexible material that stretched out when the jack was plugged in

3) A set of hinged doors that opened outwards when the jack was plugged in.

Really... glad they didn't do something like this. I also really hope they don't do that newly patented "half jack" thing. I don't have a problem with keeping or getting rid of the headphone jack but I sure as hell don't want that half jack thing.

Edit: Actually looking at this, the new "half jack" idea seems like a pretty obvious evolution of this idea. Instead of just cutting down on the size of the hole and using a normal jack, though, they're cutting down on the size of the hole AND the jack.

Ughhhhh
 
There's absolutely nothing wrong with a 3.5mm audio jack. It's ubiquitous for a reason: it's a brilliantly-designed and very durable analog interface, capable of handling consumer and professional tasks alike. Can't say as much for Lightning or wireless audio. This is Apple trying to Think Differently but they're just being stupid.
 
Lazy vs Crazy said:
As a person who owned the original iPhone I hope I'm not the only person who remembers that phone also didn't work with nearly any standard headphones. It isn't like this is a new thing.

http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/30/iphone-doesnt-work-with-most-3rd-party-headphones/
Click to expand...

The headphone jack was so deep that a lot of headphones didn't fit....the plastic bulge at the base of the connector would prevent you from sinking it in deep enough. If you shaved off the plastic you were fine.

This is obviously a much different scenario.
 
Lazy vs Crazy said:
As a person who owned the original iPhone I hope I'm not the only person who remembers that phone also didn't work with nearly any standard headphones. It isn't like this is a new thing.

http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/30/iphone-doesnt-work-with-most-3rd-party-headphones/
Click to expand...

I remember this, I've been meaning to bring it up but I didn't think anyone else would remember it. I had to buy an adaptor and I was furious about it. My first taste of the Apple Dongle Rabbit Hole >:(
 
I was already thinking about getting a Nexus 5X as I'm really starting to hate the screen size of my iPhone 5S.

I use my cell phone and my iPad as practice tools for hours a day, whether it be through a metronome app, amazing slow downer, or what have you. Not being able to plug that into my Roland TD-25kv or to plug my headphones into essentially guarantees that I'll be going the Nexus route.

Bboy AJ said:
They want you to use wireless. They're just giving you lightning as the connected option. Join us in the 21st century jfc
Click to expand...

OP, some of us care about audio quality using the standard equipment used for a metric shit ton of purposes in a variety of mediums.

Get the fuck over yourself and stop speaking so pejoratively about a subject you probably don't know much about. Have fun with your Beats.

Man God said:
I do a ton of listening over bluetooth and the real problem isn't audio quality; expensive bluetooth headphones are pretty good these days. The real problem is battery drain. Running the bluetooth radio all day like that drains it quick.
Click to expand...

I didn't even consider the battery life aspect.
 
Horrible anit-consumer decisions by Apple aside, Bboy AJ (the OP) just worries me a little. Is he okay? Up on his meds and all that?
 
I do a ton of listening over bluetooth and the real problem isn't audio quality; expensive bluetooth headphones are pretty good these days. The real problem is battery drain. Running the bluetooth radio all day like that drains it quick.
 
Man God said:
I do a ton of listening over bluetooth and the real problem isn't audio quality; expensive bluetooth headphones are pretty good these days. The real problem is battery drain. Running the bluetooth radio all day like that drains it quick.
Click to expand...

The phone battery or the headphone battery

or both
 
I wonder if Apple leaked this to gauge the reaction.
Tomorrow: headphone jack confirmed in supplier leak

Edit: I would bet they include Lightning EarPods and an adapter for 3.5mm headphones in the box. I actually don't mind as My car plays music from my phone with the USB port so I can charge and listen. And Bluetooth for the other uses
 
Ingueferroque said:
Holy shit, this is more extreme than removing the floppy drive.
Click to expand...

The floppy drive was improved upon in cost and quality.

The Aux port has yet to be improved upon in cost or quality.

I suspect the real reason for the desire to remove the port is to remove any analog circuits from the PCB which imposes design restrictions when also having to worry about RF.
 
ItIsOkBro said:
The phone battery or the headphone battery

or both
Click to expand...

A good set of earbuds will last 6-8 hours. My Sony cans last about 20. Bose sized ones tend to do 8-12.

The phone battery is the thing that drains quick. I plug in the earphones and the phone can play music or audiobooks all day. Maybe six-eight hours of music playback tops with just the Bluetooth radio on and the wifi shut off.
 
SmackCrackleNPop said:
I wonder if Apple leaked this to gauge the reaction.
Tomorrow: headphone jack confirmed in supplier leak

Edit: I would bet they include Lightning EarPods and an adapter for 3.5mm headphones in the box. I actually don't mind as My car plays music from my phone with the USB port so I can charge and listen. And Bluetooth for the other uses
Click to expand...

I know at least one person at Apple is reading this thread
 
Bboy AJ said:
They'll drag the luddites kicking and screaming into the future, just like they have always done. Look at the past threads on GAF alone about optical drives and Flash. Hilarious.
Click to expand...

Actually owning media, namely on console, never went away my friend. The entire OP reads as bait.

Apple will lose customers over this, though how many will be the thing that matters because if almost everyone switches over to Apple's proprietary crap it won't be controversial. Looking at history that will probably be the case.

But losing options is bad for consumers.
 
lednerg said:
There's absolutely nothing wrong with a 3.5mm audio jack. It's ubiquitous for a reason: it's a brilliantly-designed and very durable analog interface, capable of handling consumer and professional tasks alike. Can't say as much for Lightning or wireless audio. This is Apple trying to Think Differently but they're just being stupid.
Click to expand...

3.5mm TRS isn't durable nor brilliantly designed not really used for professional audio tasks unless the hardware has allows for mp3 player input, like those newish JBL EON PA speakers.

You're dealing with XLR jacks most of the time as:
- The cables and connector are far easier to manufacturer and solder due to the size of the connector. This makes it way easier to repair too.
- Its balanced.
- It isn't fragile like hell where you can easily bend the connector itself.

Like most high end headphones are pretty much designed to be used in a 6.3mm configuration where the 6.3mm adapter screws in flush with the rest of the connector housing. Most headphone amps and pro-audio interfaces don't even have 3.5mm jacks and only provide 6.3mm outputs.
 
EleventhHourSuperpower said:
Actually owning media, namely on console, never went away my friend. The entire OP reads as bait.

Apple will lose customers over this, though how many will be the thing that matters because if almost everyone switches over to Apple's proprietary crap it won't be controversial. Looking at history that will probably be the case.

But losing options is bad for consumers.
Click to expand...

removing the optical drive from macs had nothing to do with owning or not owning media and everything to do with optical drives being huge and people rarely using them on computers anymore.

obviously they make more practical sense on consoles but the OPs point still stands
 
Funky Papa said:
Wired headphones

Pros:
  • Plug and play
  • Universally accepted
  • A veritable mountain of high quality headphones available at all price ranges
  • Huge variety of accesories, from dirty cheap to crazy expensive
  • Connector can power external speakers
  • Don't require batteries
  • A good set of headphones will last forever
  • A crummy set of headphones for an emergency can be obtained for literally nothing

Cons:

  • Have wires
  • Circuitry takes some space

Wireless audio

Pros:
  • No wires
  • More space may simplify engineering or allow for thinner devices

Cons:
  • Not exactly plug and play
  • Not universally accepted
  • Legacy devices will need adaptors in the form of dongles, making them even less convenient and adding costs
  • Audio quality is compromised
  • Smaller variety of accesories and at higher prices
  • No connector to power external speakers
  • Require batteries, charging
  • Battery degradation ensures you'll have to buy new headphones over time
  • No such thing such as "free wireless headphones" at trains, planes etc.

I'm all for a wireless future, but call me back when we have a proper, more convenient alternative to wired headphones like we did when we transitioned from physical media to digital one.
Click to expand...

Sums up the topic nicely
 
WordAssassin said:
4) This is the fucking stupidest complaint I keep hearing. Not entirely directed at you here but, just "Oh great ANOTHER thing I have to charge now" I keep hearing about stuff like smart watches and the remotes for Amazon/Apple/Google TVs. Oh boo fucking hoo go cry some more everyone. Cry into the pile of dead batteries that's accumulated from your non rechargeable devices. Christ Almighty this is just the dumbest irrelevant argument these days. It's 2016. The future of like, ALL tech is wireless with internal rechargeable batteries and it has been for the past five years - at least. Plug things in when you go to bed, they charge over night and are ready to use when you wake up. It's the biggest non-issue imaginable. [/rant]

Real answer: Do you own a cell phone? Because chances are if you do you plug it in every night when you go to bed. Wireless headphones don't even need to be charged every night. Plug them in once a week when you go to sleep and you will never have to worry about it. MAYBE if you listen to like 6-8 hours of music on them every day you'll need to charge them more frequently but

It honestly comes off as kind of bonkers to me that in the same post you talk about having been robbed at gunpoint (holy shit I'm sorry you had that happen to you yikes, I'm glad you're alright) but then complain about the "inconvenience" of needing to charge a pair of headphones once in a while. Like really? I'm imagining the scene in Wet Hot American Summer where Paul Rudd stomps and pouts around the mess hall but instead of picking up a plate and silverware he's going to plug in a second device to charge. I guess you and I just have different standards for what we deem an inconvenience because plugging something in at night is... super not a big deal to me.
Click to expand...

.....
case in point.
 
Tommy DJ said:
3.5mm TRS isn't durable nor brilliantly designed not really used for professional audio tasks unless the hardware has allows for mp3 player input, like those newish JBL EON PA speakers.

You're dealing with XLR jacks most of the time as:
- The cables and connector are far easier to manufacturer and solder due to the size of the connector. This makes it way easier to repair too.
- Its balanced.
- It isn't fragile like hell where you can easily bend the connector itself.

Like most high end headphones are pretty much designed to be used in a 6.3mm configuration where the 6.3mm adapter screws in flush with the rest of the connector housing. Most headphone amps and pro-audio interfaces don't even have 3.5mm jacks and only provide 6.3mm outputs.
Click to expand...

Now compare it to Lightning or wireless audio, which was the entire point of the post.
 
lednerg said:
Now compare it to Lightning or wireless audio, which was the entire point of the post.
Click to expand...

Why does it have to be Lightning or Wireless Audio? Considering the Macbook has pretty much deep sixed every port except for USB-C, including the Thunderbolt port, the obvious solution would be to adopt the USB-C considering it does support analogue audio apparently.

Edit: I don't believe for a second that Apple is getting rid of the 3.5mm jack yet isn't not going to adopt USB-C or revise the Lightning connector.
 
Funky Papa said:
Wired headphones

Pros:
  • Plug and play
  • Universally accepted
  • A veritable mountain of high quality headphones available at all price ranges
  • Huge variety of accesories, from dirty cheap to crazy expensive
  • Connector can power external speakers
  • Don't require batteries
  • A good set of headphones will last forever
  • A crummy set of headphones for an emergency can be obtained for literally nothing

Cons:

  • Have wires
  • Circuitry takes some space

Wireless audio

Pros:
  • No wires
  • More space may simplify engineering or allow for thinner devices

Cons:
  • Not exactly plug and play
  • Not universally accepted
  • Legacy devices will need adaptors in the form of dongles, making them even less convenient and adding costs
  • Audio quality is compromised
  • Smaller variety of accesories and at higher prices
  • No connector to power external speakers
  • Require batteries, charging
  • Battery degradation ensures you'll have to buy new headphones over time
  • No such thing such as "free wireless headphones" at trains, planes etc.

I'm all for a wireless future, but call me back when we have a proper, more convenient alternative to wired headphones like we did when we transitioned from physical media to digital one.
Click to expand...

Boom, headshot.

As a staunch Apple user since 1985, it boggles my mind that anyone is defending the notion of removing the jack. Incredibly stupid move if they actually do it. Nothing customers like better than all those Apple headphones suddenly being worthless without yet another adapter piece.
 
This freaking sucks.

The problem with wireless headphones is that you have to freaking charge them, which (IMO) is much more annoying then just plugging them in.
 
Tommy DJ said:
Why does it have to be Lightning or Wireless Audio? Considering the Macbook has pretty much deep sixed every port except for USB-C, including the Thunderbolt port, the obvious solution would be to adopt the USB-C considering it does support analogue audio apparently.

Edit: I don't believe for a second that Apple is getting rid of the 3.5mm jack yet isn't not going to adopt USB-C or revise the Lightning connector.
Click to expand...

The rumor says they're ditching the audio jack and going for an all-in-one Lightning port. This means you're dealing with some kind of adapter for wired headphones or doing some compressed wireless crap. While USB Type-C would be way more practical and future-proof than Lightning, you're still dealing with an adapter if you have wired headphones. Apple is off their rocker if this rumor is true.
 
Bboy AJ said:
http://www.macrumors.com/2016/01/05/iphone-7-no-headphone-jack-supply-chain/

Thank goodness. I'm glad Apple will kill the decades old, ancient tech of aux input. Good riddance. They'll drag the luddites kicking and screaming into the future, just like they have always done. Look at the past threads on GAF alone about optical drives and Flash. Hilarious.

I also hope someone comes up with a good Bluetooth because today's and tomorrow's Bluetooth is awful. Their motto should be, "Next year!"

Edit: People are confusing the lightning thing. Apple doesn't want you to use a proprietary hook up. They want you to use wireless. They're just giving you lightning as the connected option. Join us in the 21st century jfc
Click to expand...

You're excited by the ability to be limited to Bluetooth headsets that you admit are awful?

What is wrong with you?
 
Alternatively, the connector itself is USB-C which would mean that you wouldn't need any adapter. The concept isn't really old, Audeze's portable lineup uses the Lightning connector IIRC and Sennheiser's recently announced Orpheus has the amp placed inside the headphone to allow for better performance and easier sound tuning. The marble monstrosity is just the pre-amp.

The recent influx of very, very good sounding speakers at much lower price points and size than before is 100% tied to DSP and all the benefits it brings. Headphones need to move to this direction if they want to bring up the quality of midrange products.
 
If this is true I'll just stick to my iPhone 6 and maybe get a 6S later on in the year. I use headphones way to much to start having to worry about charging it every couple days(if it last that long). No thank you Apple.
 
zewone said:
You're excited by the ability to be limited to Bluetooth headsets that you admit are awful?

What is wrong with you?
Click to expand...

OP pretty much embodies the stereotype of an apple fan, gleefully celebrating the loss of an otherwise universal option

i'd call it solid trolling but poe's law is in effect here
 
If this happens, I don't imagine Apple would put the lack of 3.5 into their advertising and if that happens, I can imagine a bunch of people going back to the store wondering what the hell happened.
 
"I think there is a profound and enduring beauty in simplicity; in clarity, in efficiency. True simplicity is derived from so much more than just the absence of clutter and ornamentation.

Simplicity is not the absence of clutter; that's a consequence of simplicity. Simplicity is somehow essentially describing the purpose and place of an object and product. That absence of clutter is just a clutter-free product. That's not simple"

Jony Ive

Bye bye headphone port. It's pretty obvious the product design preference is to eliminate anything they deem superfluous.
 
I'm out.

I'm one of those slightly backward thinking people that believe they do not need more wireless frequencies so close to my brain, and don't want a blue tooth beam constantly shooting next to my skin.

Hell, I don't even keep my phone in my pocket to protect ma babies.

my brother passed away from a tumor in the back of his neck, do I'll just continue to be sensitive to that shit anyway
 
BiggNife said:
I would agree if it wasn't for the rumors that Samsung is going back to removable battery/memory for the S7 due to backlash.

If nothing else I'm willing to bet some manufacturers like LG will continue to supply full-featured phones for people who don't want to sacrifice features for slimness.
Click to expand...

Samsung are not bringing back removable battery, that goes against their whole new design materials.

But yeah they're bringing back SD.
 
John Harker said:
I'm out.

I'm one of those slightly backward thinking people that believe they do not need more wireless frequencies so close to my brain, and don't want a blue tooth beam constantly shooting next to my skin.

Hell, I don't even keep my phone in my pocket to protect ma babies.

my brother passed away from a tumor in the back of his neck, do I'll just continue to be sensitive to that shit anyway
Click to expand...

My phone is almost always on flight mode. I only turn it on when I need to call people.
 
Wouldn't be so bad if the wireless headphones market was any good but I feel like there's ZERO good options here...

I guess they'll bundle in a really good set of beats earphones but yeah charging earphones/battery life is a problem for me.
 
Man God said:
I do a ton of listening over bluetooth and the real problem isn't audio quality; expensive bluetooth headphones are pretty good these days. The real problem is battery drain. Running the bluetooth radio all day like that drains it quick.
Click to expand...

apple doesn't even do aptx. Their bluetooth audio quality is behind lots of android phones that use aptX. Wonder if they'll use it as an opportunity to introduce another proprietary wireless standard? using bluetooth for transmission but their own codec? Must be some tiny cost reason that they don't use aptX
 
WordAssassin said:
I'm not exactly thrilled at the idea of losing the headphone jack and having to buy another fucking dongle but the hyperbole you're spouting is ridiculous so you shouldn't be alarmed you're getting called out on it.
Click to expand...

damn I forgot to put my headphones in my bag. Oh well I'll just pick up some $5 ones at the train station before I leave. Oh wait, my headphones had my stupid iphone dongle on, so I'm screwed.


while moving to USB-C would be interesting and an overall good move, I think it could be very confusing for normal consumers who would mix it up with the lightning plug.
 
Funky Papa said:
Wired headphones

Pros:
  • Plug and play
  • Universally accepted
  • A veritable mountain of high quality headphones available at all price ranges
  • Huge variety of accesories, from dirty cheap to crazy expensive
  • Connector can power external speakers
  • Don't require batteries
  • A good set of headphones will last forever
  • A crummy set of headphones for an emergency can be obtained for literally nothing

Cons:

  • Have wires
  • Circuitry takes some space

Wireless audio

Pros:
  • No wires
  • More space may simplify engineering or allow for thinner devices

Cons:
  • Not exactly plug and play
  • Not universally accepted
  • Legacy devices will need adaptors in the form of dongles, making them even less convenient and adding costs
  • Audio quality is compromised
  • Smaller variety of accesories and at higher prices
  • No connector to power external speakers
  • Require batteries, charging
  • Battery degradation ensures you'll have to buy new headphones over time
  • No such thing such as "free wireless headphones" at trains, planes etc.

I'm all for a wireless future, but call me back when we have a proper, more convenient alternative to wired headphones like we did when we transitioned from physical media to digital one.
Click to expand...

People thinking this is a good thing are crazy... Having a headphone jack doesn't prevent you from living "in the 21st century", you still have wireless support regardless. So why are people like OP so happy about taking it away (with all the overwhelming cons implied) ?
 
Always loved Apple for macbooks, iPhone, iPod and some genuine tech design and innovation they've brought forward.

This though, is the most incredibly dumb thing they could ever do with their flagship phone.

Now Tim Cook and co, are just fucking pissing around for the sake of shanking a key, obvious and natural feature.

*facepalm*
 
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