Apple may refuse the use of 3.5mm audio jack

According to the source portal Macotakara, Apple is planning to abandon the 3.5-mm connector for headphones in favor of a single Lightning-port "all-in-one" in the next generation iPhone. The company may also release a Lightning-compatible headphones Apple EarPods to support the transition to a new audio jack in future iOS-devices. In this third-party vendors or also have to move to a new standard, or to invest in the development of Bluetooth-headset. Reportedly, Apple plans to ship Lightning-compatible EarPods in bundled with the iPhone 7, and individual sales. The current generation EarPods with 3.5mm TRS supposedly will also remain available for purchase in the foreseeable future.

The transition to a single port Lightning-allow Apple engineers to reduce the thickness of the iPhone 7 for at least 1 mm, which is comparable with fresh iPod touch, whose thickness is just 6.1 mm. It is worth recalling that the latter at the same time without any problems coexists with a 3.5mm headphone jack.

In June 2014, Apple introduced the specification of the new program MFi, which allowed third-party manufacturers to produce headphones with Lightning-connector for iOS-devices. However, the reaction of producers was not the most active. For example, Philips in the last 14 months is remarkable for the release of only two models Lightning-compatible headphones: Fidelio M2L and Fidelio NC1L.

If the rumors are true, Apple's decision to move to a single Lightning-port for charging and connecting the audio equipment may be one of the most controversial since the transition to the 30-pin connector to the new standard in 2012.