A new image found on microblogging service Weibo shows off what Lightning adaptor EarPods might look like if Apple launches the iPhone 7 without a 3.5mm headphone jack, which has been gaining traction since it was first rumored last November.
The images, discovered by iPhone7.nl (Google Translate), are almost certainly a knockoff due to a disproportionate Lightning plug that appears far wider than the thin adaptors currently bundled in with products like the iPhone 6s, 6s Plus, and Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Dock.
Otherwise, the EarPods appear largely similar to the model sold by Apple today, with the same slim, rubbery white cable and inline volume control, the latter component of which appears to be somewhat warped in the first image posted on Weibo. Despite the slim chance that these are official Apple EarPods, it's an interesting glimpse into what the long-rumored Lightning headphone adapters could look like come September.
Rumors about the removal of the 3.5mm headphone jack began late last year, and have since coalesced into reports that its omission will in fact be the focus of the iPhone 7, which could help make the 2016 iPhone up to 1mm thinner than the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus.
The expected shift into a Lightning port-only future for iPhones would require users to either use Apple's first party Lightning EarPods, carry an adapter dongle to use traditional 3.5mm headphones, or make an early switch to a wireless, Bluetooth option with the added worry of battery life.
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Top Rated Comments
I've bought each of the last 4 iPhone models, but I will not buy any additional iPhones if they ship with no headphone jack. That is a deal-breaker to me.
Nilay Patel being the main doofus on this one.
And they can't even adequately explain their gripe. Especially when not even knowing what Apples solution is. It's all just based on conjeture right now.
They are building a pre-emtive click bait of "outrage"
"How dare they!!"
Truth is, as long as the new phone has a pair of earphones, no one is going to give a rats ass.
And if you are in the hyper minority of .01 percent of the population who owns a pair of $500 dollar headphones to listen to music on a smartphone, then you have other issues and the money for an adopter.
Most people will lose or break their EarPods and just go to the corner store and pay $15 bucks for a new pair without any of the manufactured angst of the click-bait morons who run tech blogs. (Nilay Patel)
...
"Oh wait"
...
"Hmm, I need an adapter..."
Sucks to be iPhone 7 users... Not buying any lightning headphone. It is stupid.