
While we may have answered yes to this question in 2016, it's been a long time since the first truly wireless earbuds arrived in 2015, and the realms of audio tech within the burgeoning sector have improved dramatically.Įvery iPhone we've tested to date has sounded incrementally better with each new iteration and – although a large part of that is down to the quality of the headphones you use with them – the iPhone 13 now supports Dolby Atmos and Apple’s own spatial audio processing, available to enjoy through the AirPods Pro, AirPods 3 and the AirPods Max, but not Lightning headphones. The best headphones deals live right nowĭoes the Lightning connection deliver better sound quality?.Latterly, of course, wireless headphones have also been Lightning's main competition, and it's quite clear that for Apple (and nearly everyone else in the headphone manufacturing space, for that matter), wireless – and more so, 'true' wirelessness – is the way forward. Ultimately, Apple simply thought the 3.5mm headphone jack wasn't doing enough for the iPhone to justify its space – and, of course, it's a good excuse to get everyone to move towards Lightning. The iPhone 7 (and iPhone 8, 8 Plus, X, XR and XS) had stereo speakers, which Apple claimed could deliver much better sound when not using headphones. One rumour that did prove true was that the space taken up by the headphone socket would make room for a second speaker. But in fact, it was no thinner than the previous model – both the iPhone 7 and iPhone 6S measured 7.1mm. Moving through the generations, one key benefit it was claimed could be achieved by removing the 3.5mm port altogether in 2016 was the chance to make the iPhone 7 thinner.

This presented three options: use the earbuds Apple included with your iPhone purchase (which did fit), try to whittle down the rubber on your existing headphone jack (you may laugh, but some readers are nodding sagely at the memory), or use a dongle. The audio port in the first generation iPhone was embedded a few millimeters into the top of the iPhone, with a round recess that was narrower than many existing headphone plugs. It's worth noting that although the removal of the 3.5mm jack on the iPhone caused quite the furore, the original iPhone didn't have a headphone jack that worked for everyone, either.Īpple's inaugural 2007 iPhone did have a headphone jack (still a rarity for mobile phones at that time) but it was deep-set, meaning that not every pair of headphones was actually compatible.

It subsequently became popular in 1979 with the release of the Sony Walkman.

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The 3.5mm headphone connector had been on portable devices since 1964 when it launched on the Sony EFM-117J radio. Why did Apple remove the 3.5mm headphone jack? This means you'll either have to buy an adapter, some EarPods, a pair of wireless headphones, or a set of Lightning headphones. Though it was a big story at the time, slowly but surely, everyone simply adjusted to the change.Īpple no doubt hoped the same adjustment would follow when the 3.5mm jack left the iPhone altogether with the iPhone 7 in September 2016. To help ease the pain for consumers with wired headphones, Apple provided a little Lightning to 3.5mm adapter in the box, tooīut more recent versions of the iPhone have not only ditched the adapter but also omitted bundled EarPods and even a charger – iPhone 12 and 13 models come with just a USB-C to Lightning cable. When Apple quietly killed off the iPod Classic in September 2014, it took with it the last Apple device using the company’s 30-pin connector. Apple released an adapter that allowed you still to use your 30-pin device, but only with a Lightning dock or speaker. The Lightning port's introduction meant the industry had to adapt overnight, most notably by releasing new speaker docks and accessories to accommodate the smaller connection. The Lightning port was first introduced with the iPhone 5 back in September 2012, replacing the 30-pin connector that had been used for charging on every previous iPhone and iPod – but its inclusion didn't do away with the 3.5mm jack for your headphones entirely.
