IPhone 7 to Ditch 3.5mm Audio Jack, Launch with Wireless Headphones

On the contrary, there is always the real possibility this rumor is false and that Apple has no plans to ditch the headphone jack.

The iPhone 7 is believed to come with improved 256GB storage and a larger battery.

“Apple may release Lightning-equipped EarPods, Apple offers Powerbeats 2, Studio wireless headphones, and Solo2 through its Beats brand”.

Adding fuel to the rumor, Chinese websites Anzhuo.cn [Google Translate] and Wei Feng [Google Translate] cite supply chain news from unnamed sources that reportedly confirm the controversial rumor is true.

Using the Lightning port for headphones would also present a problem similar to that faced by owners of the 12-inch Retina MacBook: how does a user accommodate both data and charging via a single port?

In order to shrink the thickness of a future handset, Apple is rumoured to be looking at ways to get rid of the standard 3.5mm headphone port.

First, that the new, iPhone 7-friendly headphones that replace the cheap, simple standard 3.5mm port may prove expensive; second, that the “ecosystem” may not be able to catch up in time, meaning Apple dominate the market with their Lightning port; and thirdly, that if this does happen, Apple will introduce licensing fees.

However, the Feng source states that Apple expects customers to move towards wireless.

And the Lightning connector gives Apple better control over the third-party accessories that would be compatible with the iPhone 7. Interesting, both sites say that Apple is planing to release a wireless Bluetooth headset.

On thing that has also been rumored for their new iPhone handsets is that the devices will be waterproof, this is something that has been rumored for a while. Coming in an all-metal frame, like the current 5c device, it will be offered in a variety of colours.