According to a purported piece of packaging for the upcoming iPhone 7 Plus, the next iPhones will come with… Lightning EarPods!
That means we won’t be seeing a 3.5mm jack, as we’ve suspected for quite some time now. Instead, the new iPhone models will have only one port: Lightning. That means we’ll see the use of Lightning headphones, like the aforementioned Lightning EarPods.
But what about your favourite set of 3.5mm headphones? Well, Apple has prepared for that eventuality as well. According to the packaging insert, there’ll be a 3.5mm to Lightning adapter inside every box, letting you listen on your old ‘phones to your heart’s content. It’s not clear what capabilities this adapter will have — will it have in-line buttons, for example? — but it should at least let you carry on as you were.
Shop for iPhone 7 Headphones & Earphones >
Of course, Bluetooth headphones will still be useful, and we’re likely to see them become even more popular on the iPhone 7. After all, if you have only one port, then you have to choose between charging and listening to headphones; using Bluetooth sidesteps that problem (at least for a while). We may also start seeing a lot of Bluetooth 3.5mm adapters, which allow 3.5mm headphones to connect wirelessly (at the expense of some sound quality).
Learn more about getting the best sound on your phone >
What do you make of Apple’s choice to ditch 3.5mm? Is it the way of the future as LeEco, Motorola and Apple believe, or is it an upgrade being pushed for all the wrong reasons? Let us know in the comments below!