Apple Will Still Include a Lightning to Headphone Jack Adapter With This Year's iPhones, Says Barclays

lightning to 3 5mm headphone jack adapterApple will continue to include a Lightning to 3.5mm Headphone Jack Adapter with the trio of new iPhone models rumored to launch later this year, according to Barclays.

"We believe it stays this year but goes away at some point, potentially in the 2018 model," said Barclays analyst Blayne Curtis, and his associates, in a research note distributed today.

Cirrus Logic would remain the primary beneficiary within Apple's supply chain, as it's believed to provide some of the tiny audio-related components inside of the adapter.

Barclays contradicts Japanese blog Mac Otakara, which said Apple will no longer include the adapter in the box with the so-called iPhone 7s, iPhone 7s Plus, and iPhone Edition.

Apple eliminating the 3.5mm headphone jack on the iPhone 7 was a controversial decision, so it's easy to see why it might want to include the adapter in the box for at least another year. But, unlike when that iPhone launched last year, Apple's wireless AirPods and BeatsX earphones are now available.

Apple sells the Lightning to 3.5mm Headphone Jack Adapter for $9 as a standalone accessory, which is cheap by its standards, so customers that still prefer to use wired headphones won't be forced to pay too much extra whether the adapter is removed from the iPhone box this year or later.

Related Forum: iPhone

Top Rated Comments

jsmith189 Avatar
84 months ago
I wonder what Steve Jobs would have to say about adding a dongle into the mix if he were still alive today...
But he's not, so let's stop bringing this hypothetical into every thread.
Score: 36 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jblagden Avatar
84 months ago
"But, unlike when the iPhone launched last year, Apple's wireless AirPods ('https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/airpods/') and BeatsX ('https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/beatsx/')earphones are now available.”

That’s nice, but we don’t all want wireless headphones. I prefer wired headphones because they have better price/performance and reliability. You don’t have to worry if your wired headphones need to be charged or how long their batteries will last. Apple’s AirPods are nice, but are overpriced for how they sound; they sound the same as $30 EarPods, while costing $160 - a 530% markup just for wireless!
Score: 27 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jblagden Avatar
84 months ago
I wish they'd extend that generosity toward new MacBook Pro buyers, we need adapters too.
Or even better: Build in more ports so those adapters aren’t necessary.

USB-A, Ethernet, Magsafe, SD card adapter.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
soupcan Avatar
84 months ago
Or, you know, don't drop industry standards for your own proprietary connector that adds zero value to your product AND then continue to sell your iPads/iPods/Macs with a headphone plug.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Sunny1990 Avatar
84 months ago
Better if they include AirPods :D


Attachment Image
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Iphtashu Fitz Avatar
84 months ago
I wonder what Steve Jobs would have to say about adding a dongle into the mix if he were still alive today...
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone 15 Pro Lineup Feature

iPhone 15 Models Feature New Setting to Strictly Prevent Charging Beyond 80%

Tuesday September 19, 2023 2:04 pm PDT by
All of the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro models feature a new battery health setting that prevents the devices from charging beyond 80% at all times when enabled, as confirmed by The Verge's Allison Johnson during a Q&A session today. The new setting is separate from the pre-existing Optimized Battery Charging feature on iPhones, which intelligently delays charging past 80% until a more...
iOS 17 and iPhones Feature

iOS 17: 10 New Features That Just Launched

Sunday September 17, 2023 12:35 pm PDT by
In June, Apple announced iOS 17 with a wide range of new features and changes for the iPhone. Following over three months of beta testing, the free software update will be released this Monday, September 18 for the iPhone XS and newer. Below, we have recapped 10 key features coming to the iPhone with iOS 17, with additional features coming later this year. The update should be released to...
iOS 17

Apple Releases iOS 17.0.1 and iPadOS 17.0.1 With Bug Fixes, Plus iOS 17.0.2 for iPhone 15 Models

Thursday September 21, 2023 10:28 am PDT by
Apple today released iOS 17.0.1 and iPadOS 17.0.1 updates for the iPhone and the iPad, adding bug fixes to the new software. The iOS 17.0.1 and iPadOS 17.0.1 updates come just a few days after Apple launched iOS 17 and iPadOS 17. The software, which is build 21A340, can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. There is a...
emojipedia 15 1 emoji

Emoji Coming to Future iOS 17 Update Include Shaking Head, Brown Mushroom, Lime, Phoenix and More

Tuesday September 19, 2023 12:43 pm PDT by
As Apple was announcing new iPhone models last week, the Unicode Consortium was officially approving new emoji characters that are set to be added to smartphones starting in 2024. Mockup of new emoji from Emojipedia Approved Unicode 15.1 emoji include phoenix, lime, an edible mushroom, shaking head vertically (as in a "yes" nod), shaking head horizontally (a "no" head shake), and broken...