Say goodbye to the iPhone’s headphone jack
Apple’s latest iPhone may be more notable for what’s missing than what’s been added, as the consumer tech giant tries to revive demand for its top-selling product and nudge consumers closer to its vision of a wireless world.
That’s a world where, in Apple’s view, consumers will use the same wireless earbuds to shift seamlessly from listening to music on their iPhone to talking with their Apple Watch and other gadgets made by the California tech giant.
The iPhone 7 and 7 Plus unveiled Wednesday come with a faster processor, longer battery life and better cameras, including a new dual lens system in the pricier 7 Plus model that provides higher-quality zooming. But the new phones won’t have the analog headphone jack that’s been a staple for decades in just about every consumer electronics device that can play audio.
Apple is betting that its legions of loyal fans will embrace the shift to digital headsets that use wireless connections. Or — if they insist on sticking with their old ways — that they won’t mind using a new style of earbuds that plug into the iPhone’s “Lightning” charging port.
The redesigned earbuds — with cord — will be included with the new iPhones. Also in the box: an adapter that will let older headphones plug into the digital charging port. But Apple would clearly prefer to push consumers to make the leap into what it envisions as a “wireless future.”
“The reason to move on is courage,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of worldwide marketing, who spoke during the company’s fall product event. “The courage to move on and do something new that will benefit all of us.”
As part of the transition, Apple is also introducing wireless AirPods that will sell for $160. They’re powered by an Apple-designed processor and software that Schiller said will let users easily sync the wireless buds to their iPhone, Apple Watch and other Apple devices. Apple is also promising a new line of high-end wireless speakers from its Beats division.
Getting rid of the 3.5 millimeter headphone jack helped Apple make room for a second iPhone speaker designed for playing stereo sound. The iPhone 7 is also water-resistant, a popular feature that rivals such as Samsung Electronics have already introduced in some phones.
Apple has previously reduced the number of ports in its popular line of MacBook computers, while encouraging people to use wireless services for transferring files and streaming data. By promoting wireless earbuds, analysts say, Apple may also hope to get more people using streaming services on the Apple Watch as well.
The company is trying to reverse its first decline in iPhone sales since the company’s late founder, Steve Jobs, unveiled the trendsetting device in 2007. It’s also seen a drop in demand for the Apple Watch since its introduction last year.
The new iPhones will debut Sept. 16 in the U.S., China and more than two dozen other countries. Orders will start this Friday.
.
This story was originally published September 7, 2016 at 5:47 PM with the headline "Say goodbye to the iPhone’s headphone jack."