Barclays Predicts 2018 iPhones Won't Come Bundled With Lightning to Headphone Jack Adapter - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Barclays Predicts 2018 iPhones Won't Come Bundled With Lightning to Headphone Jack Adapter

Apple's widely rumored trio of new iPhone models expected to launch in September might not include a Lightning to 3.5mm Headphone Jack Adapter in the box, according to Barclays analyst Blayne Curtis and his associates.

martin hajek iphone x plus
"We currently model no dongle this year," the analysts predicted, in a research note obtained by MacRumors today.

Cirrus Logic would be the primary loser within Apple's supply chain, as a supplier of audio-related components inside of the adapter. Barclays has lowered its quarterly and yearly revenue guidance for the company by up to five percent, for the time being, but that could change if they hear otherwise.

At this point, it appears that the Barclays analysts are merely guessing that the adapter will no longer be bundled, as in previous research notes, they have mentioned it may take until May or June to find out for certain.

Barclays does have some credibility in this area, as last year, the investment bank accurately predicted that Apple would continue to include the adapter in the box alongside the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X. The analysts routinely visit with Apple's supply chain partners in Asia to gather information like this.

"We believe it stays this year but goes away at some point, potentially in the 2018 model," the analysts said back in April 2017.

Apple eliminating the headphone jack starting with the iPhone 7 was a controversial decision, but the adapter has at least helped ease the transition. Its inclusion has always felt temporary, and as AirPods and other wireless headphone become more widespread, Apple may no longer feel the need to bundle the dongle.

Apple still sells the Lightning to 3.5mm Headphone Jack Adapter for $9 as a standalone accessory, which is cheap by its standards, so customers that 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 at a later time.

Popular Stories

apple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro

Apple Says iPhone Driver's Licenses Will Expand to These 6 U.S. States

Thursday July 9, 2026 7:29 am PDT by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, and then use it to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. To set up the feature, open the Wallet app on the iPhone and tap on the plus sign in the top-right corner. Next, tap on Driver's License and ID Cards,...
apple silicon 1 feature

Apple Silicon is Taking an Unexpected Turn

Friday July 10, 2026 7:24 am PDT by
Ever since the Mac switched from Intel processors to Apple silicon starting in 2020, each generation of M-series chips has included higher-end Pro and Max variants. If a recent report proves to be accurate, though, that streak will be coming to an end. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple will be releasing a regular M6 chip, but it has no plans to offer higher-end M6 Pro and M6 Max...
iphone 16 teal

'Siri AI' Lawsuit Update: Apple to Pay Owners of These iPhone Models

Thursday July 9, 2026 7:08 am PDT by
In May, Apple agreed to pay $250 million to settle a U.S. class action lawsuit over Siri AI's delayed launch, and eligible iPhone users could receive up to a $95 payout. This week, the California court overseeing the case held a hearing regarding preliminary approval of the settlement, but the judge has not yet issued a ruling. It will likely be at least a few more months before eligible...

Top Rated Comments

HobeSoundDarryl Avatar
107 months ago
Hooooray! About time. We consumers that care about best sounding audio really want to pay extra so we can hear it. Truly a dream come true. I wish they hadn't waited so long.

Now, please, please, please Apple: Eject the internal battery next. That will let you have your 5 seconds to tout "Thinnest & lightest iPhone ever," ship the first 2 generations without an internal battery but WITH your own battery case (putting battery case makers out of business), then cease including a battery case 3 generations from now.

Keep the iPhone price the same or raise it (we prefer the latter of course). Then, sell us only your battery case starting with that 3rd generation. Don't worry: while some of us will whine about this move, the bulk will just fall right in line because whatever you decide is best for all of us IS actually best for all of us. Don't be fooled by naysayers who offer counterpoint. They know that whatever a corporation decides is actually best for all consumers: "$2XX Billion in the bank can't ever be wrong"

Ideally, roll out Lightning 2 right before you stop including a battery case in the box and be slow about approving third parties for Lightning 2 accessories, so that only YOUR battery case can power the iPhone that rolls out with Lightning 2. Charge as much as you want because you'll be the only supplier. Again, don't worry: while some will whine about this, the bulk will work overtime spinning it as best for everyone and shouting down anyone who "thinks different." Unlike this headphone adapter, you can make even more money from us because ALL of us will need to buy a battery case.

Tweak the wireless charging standards, patent the tweaks and basically repeat with the slow licensing, so that only an Apple wireless charging pad is also sold as an add-on accessory.

Then, repeat this tactic with the camera. Shift it out to an add-on module, include it for a generation or two, then roll out several ("collect them all") camera modules at premium prices and stop including any camera module in the box. Make sure the camera module connector is proprietary and do the slow licensing thing so that only Apple camera modules are available for purchase for months after launch. And again, do not cut the price of the phone itself. We would MUCH rather you INCREASE the price so we can keep slinging around "but who makes the most profitable phone" in all those market share threads.

In both scenarios, raise the price of the phones and just lengthen the payment plan terms so that you and some of "us" fans can spin seemingly cheap monthly payments "it's only $X.XX more per month." That the payment plan people are on the hook for 36 or 48 or 60+ months doesn't matter- just get the payment amount low enough so that any higher price can sound like it's not much higher spread over ever-lengthened payment time tables.

The future is bright! All hail the Apple. ;)
Score: 55 Votes (Like | Disagree)
107 months ago
Cheap a$$, Apple! Sigh.
Score: 55 Votes (Like | Disagree)
107 months ago
lose the dongle? then include airpods.

Why not leave a charger out of the box while you're at it?
Score: 50 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ThisBougieLife Avatar
107 months ago
I wish iPhone would get on the USB-C train. Lightning is old hat.
Score: 35 Votes (Like | Disagree)
107 months ago
I’ve heard that Apple plans a radical new move, integrating the adapter into the phone itself and calling it an Apple jack. This will further simplify things and create a more “it just works approach”. Oh wait........ :apple::p
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
pat500000 Avatar
107 months ago
Apple is SIRI-ously losing its “think different” swag. It’s more like “think twisted” or “think negativity.”
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)