No, the lightning port is an all-digital port and has no analogue out capability. A POS dongle with a D/A converter and amp is not an improvement in terms of aesthetics, utility, cost or sound quality. Serving existing headphones and earbuds and other audio devices via the lightning port is not in any way an advance, it's actually retarded.
In terms of aesthetics, utility and cost you might be right, but when it comes to sound quality, an external DAC can do better than a built-in one. Because its self contained (shielded) and can be distanced from potential interference coming from other components inside a smartphone, tablet, laptop etc...also external DACs are usually of a higher specification than the ones found in these types of devices. The trade off is extra cost to the consumer, but this can be anything from a little to a lot, so is not really a big issue either as its your choice.
So you are saying the sound quality from iPhones really isn't and hasn't been very good because of the lack of shielding and interference?
No, the lightning port is an all-digital port and has no analogue out capability.
Of course it does. Lightning can dynamically route any signal the iPhone is capable of generating. Apple just choses not to.
Since I was writing in the present tense, I am correct. If Apple chose to enable analogue audio output via the lightning port, then the circumstances will have changed. How many of the eight pins in the lightning plug/socket are currently unused?
It's interesting the amount of people complaining about Apple getting rid of the 3.5 auxiliary. That technology is something like 56 years old. Imagine if Apple didn't lead the way with removing the disc drive first, where would we be on that scale of innovation. I get it with those who have purchased expensive headphones, but don't you think if Apple went this direction that it would do the same like it did for the iPad and include or sell an adapter? Anyhow, maybe the auxiliary port will stay with the 4.7" model and be without on the 7+/Pro model. This would make some sense in Apple's case. Though I do question why there's an auxiliary port on the 9.7" iPad. Especially the Pro models.
Unless we're willing to give up on the speaker phone function, the phone will still need a DAC to source the built in speaker. So now we're going to need 2 DACs? And carry the batteries to power the earbuds ON our ears? Progress!!! not.
I'm gonna take a wild guess, but it sounds like there's going to be an "iPhone Pro" with a smart connector in place of the headphone jack. That way you can charge through the smart connector and still listen to music through the lightning port.
The regular iPhone won't have the smart connector and will include the headphone jack.
Dudes, so sad. My 3.5 mm jackport is flaky. But it is SO inconvenient to take the phone in to be replaced. I don't want to buy a phone that will eventually develop the same defect, so .... YAY for th lightning port headphones idea. But ... if it is so great, why didn't people already build a lot of them? With millions of lightning phones out there you would think it would be a no brainer. Int the meantime, blue tooth is the new truth from an old bluedog.
Dudes, so sad. My 3.5 mm jackport is flaky. But it is SO inconvenient to take the phone in to be replaced. I don't want to buy a phone that will eventually develop the same defect, so .... YAY for th lightning port headphones idea. But ... if it is so great, why didn't people already build a lot of them? With millions of lightning phones out there you would think it would be a no brainer. Int the meantime, blue tooth is the new truth from an old bluedog.
Why would anyone build something that's not in demand? 3.5mm is good enough, and it's cheap, and it's ubiquitous. Without demand, the prices remain high, further discouraging demand. It's an endless loop, the only way to break is to eliminate the cheap alternative. Better is subjective. Price is objective. If 3.5mm is good enough, even if a digital headphone set actually has demonstrable better quality, or other conveniences, if it costs substantially more, chances are people aren't going to embrace it unless it's a significantly better experience. Moreover, the experience is tied to the software interface, and not just hardware. So unless Apple is actively supporting making that aspect of the experience simpler too, then again, where's the incentive to adopt it?
Despite a plethora of rumors and alleged design leaks suggesting Apple's next iPhone won't include a legacy headphone jack, a new part from China claimed to be for the "iPhone 7" depicts space for a 3.5-millimeter input.
The cable, purported to be for a 4.7-inch "iPhone 7," was posted to Chinese microblogging site Weibo, and spotlighted byNowhereelse.fr. It shows a layout largely similar to the cable for Apple's iPhone 6s, and includes space for both the Lightning port and a headphone jack.
Thus far, virtually all "iPhone 7" leaks have suggested Apple will move away from the headphone jack. Instead, Apple is rumored to ship a pair of Lightning-connected EarPods with its next iPhone, and to push accessory makers to offer their own Lightning headphones.
Apple is also rumored to be working on a pair of Bluetooth EarPods that would recharge through the iPhone's Lightning port and be sold separately. And alleged "iPhone 7" case leaks have suggested the back of the device could feature a Smart Connector, which would allow for the device to be recharged, much like an iPad Pro, while using headphones through the Lightning port.
Apple is expected to launch its next-generation iPhone in September, its usual annual timeframe. It's likely to start at the same $649 starting price as Apple's current flagship handset, the iPhone 6s.
Does iPod touch thin enough ? It still keep the 3.5mm Removing 3.5mm will let apple gain more or losting buyer? also , 2.5mm still an option if really need smaller jack.
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Anyhow, maybe the auxiliary port will stay with the 4.7" model and be without on the 7+/Pro model. This would make some sense in Apple's case. Though I do question why there's an auxiliary port on the 9.7" iPad. Especially the Pro models.
Does iPod touch thin enough ? It still keep the 3.5mm
Removing 3.5mm will let apple gain more or losting buyer?
also , 2.5mm still an option if really need smaller jack.