Apple is planning to remove the trusty 3.5mm audio jack from its next generation iPhone 7 handset, according to reports.
Macotakara sources (via 9to5Mac) claim the company plans to go for a Lightning-only solution for wired headphones.
While that would make charging and listening to headphones simultaneously very difficult, Apple hopes to make the device 1mm thinner as a result.
Apple introduced support for Lightning headphones under its Made for iPhone platform in 2014, with a few manufacturers like Philips and JBL jumping on board.
Regardless, the firm will probably do what it always does and release a clunky £25 adapter.
See also: Best Headphones 2015
The rumoured decision might further explain the $3 billion purchase of the Beats headphones company in 2014. It means Apple will be able to produce its own sets of Lightning-cabled headphones to sell alongside the new iPhones.
Of course, this isn’t the first time we’ve heard rumours Apple is considering ditching the traditional 3.5mm jack from its smartphones.
In September we reported on a new patent application that revealed a half-height solution that’d make life pretty awkward for everyone.
If the 3.5mm jack does go to silicon heaven, it’s unclear whether the firm will bundle in an equally terrible pair of Lightning headphones to replace the current 3.5mm EarPods.
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Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
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We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
