Apple could have (and absolutely should have) included a charger with passthrough audio in the form of another lightning port built into the end plug. Then there would have been zero legitimate reason for whiners and zero anti-Apple ammo for the tech press.
Yes they should have, mainly from an ergonomic and convenience perspective, if not a monetary one. However, I doubt that one issue would have quelled the debate significantly. Most people are upset that they now have to upgrade their headphones, or use an adapter to maintain compatibility with the rest of the world. As I see it, offering Lightning headphones that are not compatible with anything else aside from some newer iOS devices, including Macs; with no adapters to encourage their use is likely the biggest mistake of this launch. Including a mere $9 adapter that encourages the continued use of 3.5mm headphones, at the expense of convenience, does nothing to further Lightning, much less wireless technology. Heck the most affordable W1wireless products won't even be available until over a month following the iPhone launch. I just hope we see inexpensive Lightning headphone adapters sooner.
Maybe I am the only AppleInsider reader that really will miss the head phone jack. I have a rather old car where the radio has no bluetooth connection but it has an audio connector. So yes I am almost daily listening to music on my iPhone6 using the head phone jack while simultaneously recharge the battery using the car cigarette lighter. Si I'll wait to upgrade
a $20 BT dongle for my car was the best investment I ever made until I upgraded my head unit. Yours is the easiest solution of all.
Maybe I am the only AppleInsider reader that really will miss the head phone jack. I have a rather old car where the radio has no bluetooth connection but it has an audio connector. So yes I am almost daily listening to music on my iPhone6 using the head phone jack while simultaneously recharge the battery using the car cigarette lighter. Si I'll wait to upgrade
wait for what? it's not like they'll bring it back next year.
your best option is to get a BT clip for your car, or that new cigarette adapter that converts USB-lightning in to 3.5mm analog out, or an updated stereo. several solutions for your now legacy use case.
Going to be a great phone but I am too attached to the headphone jack to upgrade this generation. I'll let things play out for a year and upgrade my iPhone 6+.
The camera is the only thing that really tempts me to upgrade. Sure, it is faster the iP6+ is still good enough. Cheaper anyway.
You realize the iPhone 7 comes with a mini-jack adapter, right? Just leave that attached to your headphones and you're good to go. Think of it as an extension. I don't see the problem. But if you have a 6+ right now, there's very little reason to upgrade... you already have an awesome phone.
So many people talk about this being an incremental iPhone update. I really don't see it that way. Between the massive performance gains, the wide-color stuff, water resistance, improved battery life, better speakers, new finishes, it feels like a full update for me. Must a phone be completely redesigned every two years in order for it to be considered a real update???
The improved battery life is really appreciated, but I would never upgrade an iPhone6 for the other features. There are nice to have but not essential to make the switch
I'm still not convinced that Apple should have removed the 3.5 mm jack this year, though I agree it makes sense to removed it eventually.
Imagine if Apple had released the AirPods last year with the 6s. If the AirPods became a hit, then they could have moved forward with removing the 3.5 mm jack this year. Then the iPhone 7 reviews might have gone something like "Had Apple removed the audio jack last year on the 6s, *before* the AirPods became such a hit, people might have balked. But the experience we've had with AirPods over the last year makes it clear that it's time for the 3.5 mm jack to go."
But anyway... I guess I'm getting over it. I ordered a 7+ 128GB from Verizon over the weekend. The thing that got me was the amazing deals being offered by carriers in the US. Verizon offered $650 for my iPhone 6+. The only catch is that I have to stick with Verizon for two years (it's not officially a contract, but it's contract-ish). I would have stuck with them anyway, so this is an amazingly great deal. According to the Verizon sales lady, the deal is being subsidized by Apple. So at least Apple is being smart to provide significant incentives to get people on board with the 7 -- it worked on me.
Airpods were not ready last year. The W1 chip was not ready and Apple did not own Beats long enough either to bring it out with the 6s.
No kidding they weren't ready.
The point is that the AirPods should have come first then a year later, the phone without the 3.5 mm jack. If Apple had made that the goal, then perhaps they would have prioritized things so that the AirPods were ready last year. Or, they could have chosen a different balance of features for the iPhone 7 (maybe make it 1 mm thicker, for example) so that the audio jack could be included. Then take the jack away for the iPhone 8.
But whatever. They did what they did. I'm starting to think it will work out better than i feared.
The headphone jack is a minor issue. The price is a big one.
No it isn't
$650 for the iPhone7. Use it for 2 years and then get $400 for trade in
That means for 2 years of use you pay $250.
That's 36 cents a day for something you use every day, 10+ hours a day.
Sure you buy a POS phone for $200 but it will be broken in a year and definitely worthless after 2 years. So you save $25 a year using a crappy POS phone.
People need to stop just looking at the initial price but look at trade in value and time saved versus using a crap phone or worse a phone that literally can kill you with an explosion/fire.
Audio engineer here to dispel some misinformation.
Major consideration: it has to be powered somehow. That means at least two cables. I believe the term I learned in my Recording Engineering classes was "fuck that shit".
But seriously: there is no effective benefit.
The entire reason digital headphones haven't been done for the last 25 years is because powering the headphones is a problem. USB headsets, are near universally hated for much of the same problem. If you had a $300 sound card with it's own DAC and amp circuitry, you'd not want to plug a USB headset in and bypass it entirely. Same with HDMI "speakers" in your TV. When was the last time a TV came with good speakers? The entire "thinner, lighter" rabbit hole has ensured that speakers in anything thinner than a sandwich sound terrible.
So what did Nokia, Motorola and Nintendo do, and subsequently stop doing? Don't use your proprietary connection for headphones/carkits unless it can charge the device at the same time.
The cable that should have been included with the "3.5mm-less iPhone" is a USB-c (power or headphones) with a 3.5mm jack (headphones) lightning bridge.
Just no USB-C digital audio support exists yet. So obviously this would be a futile thing to do right now.
But realistically, if they were going to get rid of the 3.5mm jack, it should have been replaced with usb-c or another lightning connector (perhaps on the other side of the device, or when it's in landscape orientation.) Forcing users to use wireless headphones is just not going to happen, because go back to point 1 "additional cables or chargers, FTS"
It should be noted that USB-C supports an "analog" mode which puts the same 3.5mm pins on the USB jack, but that would only suffice for USB-C headphones that can run on 500mv, and would require a charge-through connector.
"Forcing users to use wireless headphones is just not going to happen, because go back to point 1 "additional cables or chargers, FTS""
It's kind of funny to claim that wireless headphones will not become popular because of the wires.
I get the point -- you need to charge them -- but you're missing that the lack of wires/cords when using them is very appealing. The first thing to fail on every set of headphones I've ever owned is the cord, in particular the point where the cord attaches to the male 3.5 mm audio jack.
Good morning commenters and AI. I am really confused about the fuss over the head phone jack. I have also seen comments about having to use an adapter. I don't understand the fuss regarding that either. Can someone give me an un emotional fact based explanation why this is a big deal other than someone move their cheese?
I would not call this a "big" deal, but I can see how it could affect people depending on their setup. I know that in my previous car, I did not have bluetooth, so in order to listen to my iPhone I HAD to use the audio jack. I would use the audio jack to listen to music and use the Lightning Port to charge my phone at the same time. Usually, at the end of a long day, I could listen to music and charge my phone simultaneously as the battery would be depleted by then. Now, (if you don't have bluetooth in your car), you have to make a choice, listen to music or charge my iPhone after a long day. This is the only time I can see this being an issue for people.
I'm sure Apple is really bummed that they weren't able to ship all the camera features for the Plus model on day 1. Gruber called the Plus camera update meh. That's not what Schiller wants to hear.
please quote where Gruber says or even implies only a "meh" camera update. cuz it ain't there. we'll wait.
One question I have is with the Jet black model if you're on the upgrade program will fine micro abrasions or small scratches be tolerated when you turn in your phone to Apple. Or is Apple going to penalize you for not using a case? Because it's not a question of if you get scratches.....you will. Guaranteed.
mmm, delicious FUD you've prepared this morning.
It's not FUD. The jet black phone will show scratch. All the reviews confirm this.
You're so stuck in the past. Who cares about the audio jack? Get yourself a bluetooth headset or use the adapter. I am with Apple on this one.
Let's see, Apple included a $29 wired headset, and a $9 wired 3.5mm adapter in the box, for use with wired headphones.
I suppose if they had included a set of AirPods in the box, or even a wireless BT adapter for a pair of 3.5mm EarPods, you'd have a point. But Apple's message out of the box seems to be that wires are good enough, just evidently not the ones people have been using.
Completely mixed messaging. Of course Apple can't give us the real reason they ditched the headphone jack this year: they didn't want all the complaining to take away from a brand new design next year.
Good morning commenters and AI. I am really confused about the fuss over the head phone jack. I have also seen comments about having to use an adapter. I don't understand the fuss regarding that either. Can someone give me an un emotional fact based explanation why this is a big deal other than someone move their cheese?
I am OK with the change. One issue is charging and using the wired headphones at the same time. I charge my phone when I drive home and use the earbud as a hands free or listen to talk radio. A dongle that accepts both the headphone jack and the charger would be nice. I would want it from Apple as a little scary if the power feeds over to my earbud!!
That is the only legitimate issue I hear folk have. Then again, just get some wireless heard phones and that solves the problem. Ultimately that is where we are going...
I really think the “annoying” comments are just sour grapes over Apple not doing what it was told not to by the pundits and critics. I just don’t get the included adapter being a problem. The reasons seem forced and concocted like people are trying to justify their annoyance by inventing them. The “charge and listen” crowd is a hoot as there are so few of them, and the fact that third party solutions will be numerous, varied, and cheap. But after all of this it’s beginning to look like the iPhone 7 will be a major hit in spite of the harping by the vociferous opposition. So the “annoying” comment is academic at this point.lkrupp said:
The biggest problem with the missing headphone jack is how it’s being presented in the media. The impression given in most of the articles is that users will no longer be able to use their current headphones and that they will be forced into buying expensive wireless headphones. The included adapter is never mentioned. The included Lightening earbuds are never mentioned despite the fact that the vast majority of users listen with the included earbuds and why we see those white cords hanging down all over the place. It almost seems like a misleading crusade to punish Apple.
Two very good posts. These people must find something to complain about. I have a 5s and I play music over Bluetooth or use wireless listening devices. Don't wish to be tethered to wires.
The main thing Apple accomplished by removing the headphone jack is given lame-ass reviewers a bullet point to add to their list of cons or haters something to bitch about.
The iPhone 7 is the best phone in the world. Bitching about the headphone jack is all they have to cling to.
I like everything about the iPhone 7, except the lack of a 4" model. I'll keep my iPhone SE until Apple release an up-to-date phone-sized iPhone. I have my 9.7" iPad Pro for when I want a two-handed device.
Can it be two to three years already when every phone lacks the God forsaken audio jack and forget to thank Apple, like always
That may be the case but they won't be using Lightning. In three years Apple probably won't be using Lightning either. I predict that a USB-C to Lightning adaptor will be in the box.
A few observations. 1. Not all the reviewers are good camera users. Some could not get a good 10X picture while the other posted one about a closeup of a statue that is really good. The Galaxy S7 picture is quite different from iPhone 7. It should be really easy see that iPhone 7 picture is better. Yet one reviewer thinks the Galaxy S7 photo is better. 2. Apple is really moving forward in all directions in iPhone 7 in hardware, software, and silicon. I think the engineers in all the copying competitor are feeling exhausted. Some of the stuff like the A10 chip is very difficult to copy or match. 3. With the 2X zoom, iPhone 7 Plus is gaining a brand new capability, a binocular or magnifying glass.
Comments
your best option is to get a BT clip for your car, or that new cigarette adapter that converts USB-lightning in to 3.5mm analog out, or an updated stereo. several solutions for your now legacy use case.
You realize the iPhone 7 comes with a mini-jack adapter, right? Just leave that attached to your headphones and you're good to go. Think of it as an extension. I don't see the problem. But if you have a 6+ right now, there's very little reason to upgrade... you already have an awesome phone.
The point is that the AirPods should have come first then a year later, the phone without the 3.5 mm jack. If Apple had made that the goal, then perhaps they would have prioritized things so that the AirPods were ready last year. Or, they could have chosen a different balance of features for the iPhone 7 (maybe make it 1 mm thicker, for example) so that the audio jack could be included. Then take the jack away for the iPhone 8.
But whatever. They did what they did. I'm starting to think it will work out better than i feared.
"Forcing users to use wireless headphones is just not going to happen, because go back to point 1 "additional cables or chargers, FTS""
It's kind of funny to claim that wireless headphones will not become popular because of the wires.
I get the point -- you need to charge them -- but you're missing that the lack of wires/cords when using them is very appealing. The first thing to fail on every set of headphones I've ever owned is the cord, in particular the point where the cord attaches to the male 3.5 mm audio jack.
That is the only legitimate issue I hear folk have. Then again, just get some wireless heard phones and that solves the problem. Ultimately that is where we are going...
The iPhone 7 is the best phone in the world. Bitching about the headphone jack is all they have to cling to.
1. Not all the reviewers are good camera users. Some could not get a good 10X picture while the other posted one about a closeup of a statue that is really good. The Galaxy S7 picture is quite different from iPhone 7. It should be really easy see that iPhone 7 picture is better. Yet one reviewer thinks the Galaxy S7 photo is better.
2. Apple is really moving forward in all directions in iPhone 7 in hardware, software, and silicon. I think the engineers in all the copying competitor are feeling exhausted. Some of the stuff like the A10 chip is very difficult to copy or match.
3. With the 2X zoom, iPhone 7 Plus is gaining a brand new capability, a binocular or magnifying glass.