14 DAY TRIAL // Rumor has it that Apple is working to remove the audio jack on the upcoming iPhone 7 and replace it with an all-purpose Lightning connector.
Naturally, this would imply offering new headphones that come with a Lightning connector, but as far as third-party headsets using the traditional audio jack are concerned, it’s going to be impossible to use them without an adapter.
And it turns out that such adapters are already being developed, which somehow comes as living proof that Apple is indeed planning this change on the upcoming iPhone.
China-based Tama Electric has developed adapters that come with a jack input port on one side and a Lightning connector on the other, allowing you to use any type of headphones with the upcoming iPhone 7. Furthermore, Lightning to 3.5mm jack converting cables are also being manufactured in anticipation of the upcoming Apple product.
Why the sudden need for an iPhone without audio jacks?
There are basically two different reasons Apple is aiming towards a jack-less design for the next iPhone generation: dimensions and waterproofing.
First and foremost, it’s believed that Apple wants the iPhone 7 to be thinner, so it’s planning to remove the audio jack and use just the Lightning connector, which gives some extra room for different modifications, including a new and sleeker design.
Second of all, Apple also wants to make the iPhone waterproof in an attempt to get closer to rival Samsung, which is already selling the IP68-certified Galaxy S7. Waterproof is harder with an audio jack, although Samsung has managed to do it, but Apple’s aiming for a simpler approach.
Other possible reasons that would make the audio jack an unwelcome feature on the iPhone 7 is Apple’s intention to offer stereo speakers on the device or a bigger battery. Neither of these two is likely, though, and sources close to the matter say that Apple’s plan to make the device thinner is the decisive factor this time.