With rumours about the next iPhone already flying high, a new report from a Japanese blog reveals that the iPhone 7 will miss one important feature. Like the latest iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s weren't thin enough, Apple is planning to further slim down the unannounced iPhone 7 by removing the phone's 3.5mm headphone jack, Japanese tech blog Macotakara revealed.
It certainly comes as a shocker to many, but Apple plans to employ the audio function into the Lightening power port. However, it comes with its own setbacks such as making it impossible to listen to music while charging the phone. A wireless Bluetooth connection will be required to make multi-tasking possible.
Apple's decision to nix the headphone jack from its next iPhone reminds of the company's MFi licensing programme that was launched in June 2014 for manufacturers to create headphones with Lightening cable, Computer World reports.
Apple fans are sensitive about even the slightest changes to iPhones, but the big-screen decision was welcomed with open arms. Since the headphone jack is very crucial in any smartphone, the fans' resistance to removing the feature completely from iPhone 7 is highly likely.
Apple's 12-inch MacBook, which measures 1.31cm at its thickest point, was downplayed by the critics for having just two ports. One of the ports was for headphones, while the other took charge of everything else. As a result, the users had to carry several adaptors and dongles to accommodate extra ports. So it is likely that an iPhone without headphone jack will face similar criticism.
If the iPhone 7 bundles audio function into Lightening power port, Apple will include EarPods that have Lightening connectors. This will also create a challenge for third-party headphone makers to match the new standard, which will evidently increase the costs.
Rumours about the iPhone 7 have been on the rise, despite the latest recent release of iPhone 6s series. As for the specs, the 2016 flagship model is expected to feature a waterproof build, 3GB RAM, eye-tracking tech, OLED display, A10 chipset and a new design.
