Apple is continuing to phase out the headphone jack from its iOS devices, and the iPad mini 6 is the latest iPad to see the feature removed.
The prior-generation iPad mini 5, released in 2019, had a headphone jack located at the top of the device, but the iPad mini 6 does not include this feature. With no headphone jack, the iPad mini 6 supports only Bluetooth-enabled headphones or headphones able to connect to the USB-C port on the device.
iPad mini 6 components
Apple has now removed the headphone jack from all of the devices in its iOS lineups with the exception of the low-cost iPad and the iPod touch, a device that's likely being phased out and sees few updates.
The 10.2-inch iPad 9 that was released last week continues to offer a headphone jack at the top left of the tablet, and it is the only iPad have to a headphone jack available. Given that this tablet is aimed at schools, it makes sense that it has a headphone jack to allow students to use school-provided headphones.
iPad 9 components
Though Apple has now phased out the headphone jack from almost all iOS devices, Apple's Macs continue to have a headphone jack available, including the newest M1 models. It is not clear if Apple plans to remove the headphone jack from Macs in the future, but that may not be in the cards because Macs have more available space for the headphone jack component.
Apple began removing the headphone jack from iPhones with the launch of the iPhone 7, and it was pulled to make room for other components as well as to improve water resistance by removing a point of ingress. Apple's iPhones and iPads have continued getting thinner, more compact, and more feature rich over the years, leaving no space for a headphone jack. With the transition to AirPods and other Bluetooth-based wire-free headphones, the headphone jack is also no longer as important to many iOS device users.
I use headphone jacks for work aswell as for private entertainment. It's an unnecessary stupidity to get rid of it when there is no apparent need to. I am stuck in a dilemma where the "new design iPads" have no jack but lef-right stereo speakers, but the basic iPad has the jack but the mono sound. Why cant I have both Apple?
I prefer wearing headphones, and wired ones at that. I don't have to worry about charging them, plus I can have higher quality audio with wired vs wireless.
Something I'd like to know: Which Apple headphones (or any headphones, really) support all of Apple's new audio features (spatial audio, lossless, etc.)?
I personally think it is ok removing it from iPhone since you need to space. But why can't apple keep it on the iPad :/ They for sure have space on the iPad for a headphone jack.
I personally think it is ok removing it from iPhone since you need to space. But why can't apple keep it on the iPad :/ They for sure have space on the iPad for a headphone jack.
Overall the lack of a headphone jack is a major annoyance made worse by USB C.
A heavy reliance on AirPods means they’re often not charged when you need them. Try doing a day of back to back virtual meetings and you’ll know what I mean.
If you want to use a set of high end studio headphones you need a USB C dongle to plug them in.
If you use an iRig for virtual amps you need a USB C dongle to plug it in.
If you need to avoid Bluetooth lag when screen capturing, you need a USB C dongle to plug it in.
Half the reason MacBook Pros haven’t been that Pro the last couple of years is looking like an amateur when you turn up to present and the USB HDMI dongle you have doesn’t work with the projector or TV you need to plug into.
No wonder Surface Pro’s and Thinkpads sell so well to business. They just work, HDMI and headphone ports built right in.
Let's remove the adapter because of the environment. Let's force customers to spend oodles of money on bluetooth headphones that do not have user replaceable batteries and just end up in land fillds. Hmmm... Apple, what's the message here? bizzness.
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Something I'd like to know: Which Apple headphones (or any headphones, really) support all of Apple's new audio features (spatial audio, lossless, etc.)?
They for sure have space on the iPad for a headphone jack.
A heavy reliance on AirPods means they’re often not charged when you need them. Try doing a day of back to back virtual meetings and you’ll know what I mean.
If you want to use a set of high end studio headphones you need a USB C dongle to plug them in.
If you use an iRig for virtual amps you need a USB C dongle to plug it in.
If you need to avoid Bluetooth lag when screen capturing, you need a USB C dongle to plug it in.
Half the reason MacBook Pros haven’t been that Pro the last couple of years is looking like an amateur when you turn up to present and the USB HDMI dongle you have doesn’t work with the projector or TV you need to plug into.
No wonder Surface Pro’s and Thinkpads sell so well to business. They just work, HDMI and headphone ports built right in.