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Apple iPhone 7 Won’t Have Headphone Jack And Will Offer Wireless Charging, Making Cords Obsolete

By Tara West
Published on: 08:15 PST, Jan 9, 2016

In a bid to create the thinnest iPhone to date, Apple is reportedly looking at removing the 3.5 mm headphone jack from the phone by replacing it with a multi-purpose Lightning slot. The phone will also allegedly offer wireless charging, making cords on the device completely obsolete. The news comes as Apple is rumored to be working closely with audio chip partner Cirrus Logic. However, this isn’t the only new feature that will likely grace the iPhone 7 when it hits the shelves.

The Daily Mail reports that the iPhone 7 is slated to be the thinnest of the Apple-branded smartphones. The tech giant is allegedly working at removing the 3.5 mm headphone jack to make it the thinnest of its kind. To replace the headset jack, Apple is allegedly working closely with their audio chip partner Cirrus Logic while looking to create a multipurpose Lightning slot in the headset jack’s wake. By removing the 3.5 mm jack, Apple will be able to cut the thickness of the iPhone 7 by one millimeter, or 0.04 inches.

According to a source who spoke to Fast Company, the Lightning port will serve a number of purposes, including the option to add Lightning-connected earphones and headsets to customers.

“Apple is working with its longtime audio chip partner Cirrus Logic to adapt the audio chipset in the iPhone to work with the Lightning port, according to our source.”

However, for those who don’t want to shell out the cash for new Lightning port-connected earbuds, the iPhone 7 will likely include an adapter that will allow users to use their old 3.5 mm headsets. In addition to the Lightning port, the Apple iPhone 7 is also reportedly going to come fully equipped with noise-cancelling technology directly in the headset with the help of UK-based Wolfson Microelectronics.

“The software will be baked into the phone and also into the headphones that will plug into it, and will help remove background noise in music playback and in phone calls.”

As it currently stands, rumors surrounding the Lightning port suggest it will be a thin slot port that can be used for Lightning-capable headsets as well as for charging purposes. For those looking for a completely cord-free experience, the iPhone 7 is also rumored to be offering a wireless charging capability. With the new additions, the iPhone 7 is slated to provide consumers with a thin and well-rounded device that can operate without all the fuss of cords and cables.

However, not everyone is happy about the new Lightning port capabilities. It was reported that many people were upset that the port was considered proprietary in nature, meaning that specialized Apple hardware would be required for use.

Another interesting feature of the iPhone 7 will likely be waterproofing. The Samsung Galaxy S7 will be released as a fully waterproof phone, therefore, out of the need to compete, the iPhone 7 is rumored to also have a waterproof design.

What do you think about the idea of a completely wireless iPhone experience? Are you looking forward to the new, thinner iPhone 7 when it is revealed? Do you think the Lightning port will make 3.5 mm jacks obsolete? Do you think Apple will soon remove the 3.5 mm headphone slot from their other flagship products like the MacBook? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

[Photo by Eric Risberg/AP]

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