14 DAY TRIAL // Rumor has it that Apple could give up on the headphone jack on the next-generation iPhone and now analysts with a good track on information regarding the company’s new projects are pointing to a different plan that might be embraced by Cupertino.
Barclays analysts Blayne Curtis and Christopher Hemmelgarn believe that Apple might indeed remove the 3.5mm audio jack on the iPhone for the upcoming model, but only to make room for a second speaker that would be installed in the exact same place.
The headphones jack is currently placed at the bottom of the iPhone, so by removing this connector, Apple could make room for a second speaker that would be placed alongside the first.
It’s not clear if Apple is aiming for a stereo speaker configuration, but chances are that it does, although the analysts claim that the company could very well keep it mono because the speakers are placed on the same edge of the device. Typically, stereo speakers are placed on different sides of the phone for better quality sound, but in rare cases they could also be placed next to each other.
Lightning headphones to be included
Since the 3.5mm audio jack will no longer be there, Apple will most likely offer a Lightning set of headphones in the box, the analysts said. Previous reports indicated that better quality wireless headphones could also be offered, but it now appears that plans for such an accessory might have been suspended and they could arrive with the iPhone 7s upgrade.
At the same time, the two analysts explain that the iPhone 7 will most likely come without dynamic noise cancellation, as this is another feature that Apple could hold back until the arrival of the “S” upgrade. Instead, the company could use a software-based solution in the form of a digital codec.
Keep in mind that these are all rumors for now, but with so many sources pointing to the removal of the audio jack on the next iPhone, there are higher chances of seeing this connector go on the upcoming model.