We have all heard the big fuss about the new iPhone 7. On it, Apple has improved the battery life, display, camera, coating and stereo. They also made one small reduction that seems to have caused quite a debate; Apple decided to remove the 3.5 mm headphone jack. Without the headphone jack, the Lightning connector is now the main port on the iPhone. It is through this connector that you can charge your phone and now plug in headphones. Apple continues to provide one free pair of headphones when you purchase your iPhone, though now they plug into the Lightning connector. They also include with the iPhone 7 purchase one additional adapter that can convert the standard 3.5 mm headphone jack to the Lightning connector. However, with this release, many people questioned Apple’s judgement and wondered what could be the reasoning behind Apple’s decision.
In the official iPhone release video that features Phil Schiller in San Francisco presenting the new product, Schiller backs up Apple’s decision to remove the 3.5 mm headphone jack with three reasons. The first, he states is that there are over 900 million Lightning connector devices in the world. And due to this, companies have begun to take advantage of the connector. He uses an example of JBL Reflect Aware workout headphones which do not use the headphone jack but instead connect straight into the Lightning connector. He believes that because companies have started to take advantage of this, there is no reason to continue with the 3.5 mm jack as it merely takes up space that could be better used on something like a larger battery with a longer life.
Schiller's next point can be summarized in one word, “courage.” He argues that Apple has the courage to move on and do something superior to better us all. In other words, he is stating that Apple is trying to press forward new innovation and force corporations to adapt to this change. And finally, to tie into the last point, Schiller releases the AirPods and argues that they are trying to push towards a “wireless future.” AirPods are wireless headphones that look strikingly similar to the current standard headphones but without the wires. These headphones also have enhanced sound, last up to five hours on a charge or 24 hours with their charging case, can be spoken into and can easily be switched between all Apple devices. They are also $159.00.
According to The NewDaily and as expected, there has been considerable backlash regarding this decision and Apple’s new “courage” to push for innovation. Critique and chief analyst at Technalysis Research, Bob O’Donnel explained to CBC that many people have already invest large sums of money into their headphones and now they either have to convert or “[...]plug them into that little donge that everybody’s going to lose”. Another critique, Simon Lucas, who is also the editor of What Hi-fi magazine, told BBC that not only does he believe that wired headphones are more reliable due to less service drop outs, but a major drawback is “wireless headphones also need to be charged and the louder you listen to them the quicker they will run out of power.”
Another report published in Scientific America, titled Never Mind Apple’s Courage, Removing iPhone’s Headphone Jack Stinks by Henry T. Casey counter argues Apple’s reasons for removing the 3.5 mm jack. First he explains that just because there is 900 million Lightning connector-based devices doesn’t mean that it is the largest digital audio connector in the world; this in fact is the 3.5 mm headphone jack. He also criticizes that the EarPods aren’t compatible with other existing technology and argues against AirPods by saying they will not be compatible with non-apple devices. All these factors were risks of annoyances for consumers that Apple had to have anticipated with its new iPhone release.
In contrast, JV Chamary, author of Why Apple Was Right To Remove The iPhone 7 Headphone Jack which is published online through Forbes, argues that sound quality will greatly improve through the new headphone system. According to Chamary, this is because the Lightning port allows for a digital connection where the recording is not prematurely transferred and data isn’t lost, as opposed to an analog one where the data is prematurely transferred from a digital one and data is lost. Therefore, with the new connection, the sound quality will not be lost and the recording will not be slightly altered. Chamary continues to explain that this also allows higher frequencies to be played and ultimately a “high resolution audio” to be played. Also reported by The NewDaily, Geoff Blaber from analyst firm CCS Insight also supports Apple’s decision to remove the 3.5 mm jack. He states that it will “[...] spark for widespread innovation in accessories and a meaningful revenue opportunity for Apple.” He also argues that “twelve months from now, the removal of the headphone jack will be viewed as an Apple masterstroke.”
Clearly there are both advantages and drawbacks for the removal. Apple is obviously pushing for not only innovation, but an Apple dominated universal connector, namely the Lightning port. People are seeing this pattern and are back lashing against Apple’s capitalistic endeavors. Meanwhile, people also have praised Apple for deciding to push innovation further. Whether Apple’s decision was ultimately beneficial or not, only time can tell.
