What Happens If Your iPhone or Other Smartphone Has No Headphone Jack?
As speculated, Apple has announced that the iPhone 7 will no longer have an analog headphone port. And Intel recently encouraged smartphone vendors to drop the traditional jack in favor of the new audio features of USB-C. However, those developments don’t mean the end of your favorite earbuds, or great audio. So, dear headphone fans, put the paper bag down and take a deep breath—here’s what you should know.
What will I use for headphones without a headphone jack?
If you’re looking to buy new, you can go wireless—you have a lot of options, and we have guides to help you. Working out a lot? Check out the JLab Epic2 Bluetooth. Want on-ear? The Jabra Move is a good option. Need noise cancellation? The Samsung Level On or the Sennheiser Momentum 2.0 Wireless is a great choice. Apple also announced its $160 AirPods, which we’ll review as soon as they’re available in October.
Alternatively, the iPhone 7 will ship with Lightning-based EarPods, and some high-end headphone companies are starting to offer Lightning-connector headphones with a DAC built into the cable or headphones (for example, the Audeze Sine Series), or DAC cable upgrades for existing models. If you have headphones with a removable cable, chances are good that other companies will release Lightning-connector cable replacements in response to the iPhone announcement.
What if I just can’t quit my favorite analog headphones?
Included with each iPhone 7, it allows you to use analog headphones with a Lightning port. A three-button remote will still work, but you won’t be able to charge simultaneously.
What about my car?
The inability to charge an iPhone 7 while using the headphone adapter may be an annoyance while you’re walking around, but it can be a dealbreaker while you’re driving if you’re used to using an aux cable for audio while charging your phone. Because smartphones often pull double duty as a GPS unit and a listening device, the battery dies quickly if you haven’t plugged the phone into a car charger. Currently, the only way to get around this problem is to charge the phone through its Lightning port and stream audio over Bluetooth. But older cars without built-in Bluetooth can’t do that without some help.
Audio quality is as good as or better than that of any other unit we tested, and you get track-control buttons on the main unit.
Buying Options
While it will work for voice calls, this FM transmitter is best suited for music streaming. You can see which station you’re tuned to and manually find a new one.
The fastest, easiest, and most affordable solution is to get one of our favorite car Bluetooth kits. For most people, that means a device that plugs directly into your existing stereo’s aux input. If you don’t have an aux input, an FM transmitter will work almost as well. A more expensive but better-sounding solution is to upgrade your whole stereo head unit.
It’s not just Apple
One of the lesser-publicized features announced alongside Android 5.0 Lollipop is the ability to use an external USB DAC. And the evolving USB-C standard includes audio support now, too. So even if Apple hasn’t cut the analog cord (yet), Motorola already has with the Moto Z, and there’s a good chance that manufacturers such as Samsung will follow suit soon enough.
Why would Apple and other smartphone vendors do this?
Although some tech writers seem to think Apple has a Beats-centric business model in mind, we’re convinced the reasoning is a little simpler than that. (The fact that smartphone vendors that don’t own headphone companies are considering the same move seems to support this notion.) Here are three good reasons that Apple removed the analog jack (and other companies might too).
- No headphone jack means more room for something else, or a smaller phone. When a company is making devices as space-conscious as an iPhone or some other smartphone, every square millimeter matters. The removal of the jack (plus the other internal hardware that makes that jack function) could possibly mean a thinner phone, a larger battery, more memory, an improved screen, an extra speaker for stereo, or, as in the case of the iPhone 7, a force-sensitive home button.
- Bluetooth has come a long way. There was a time when Bluetooth audio was laughably bad and connection issues were common. But thanks to improved transmitters, receivers, and codecs, Bluetooth, though still more costly than a wired connection, can sound really close—and in some situations even identical—to wired. Connection issues are also much less common with the latest models. (Of course, this varies between headphones.) As more and more people cut the cord for mobile use, Apple may simply be responding to what the company sees as customers' future demands. (Indeed, NPD reports that in June 2016 Bluetooth headphones outsold wired models for the first time ever.)
- Lightning-based audio can be superior to what the average smartphone’s analog jack gives you. Here’s where we have to get a bit technical: All digital-audio devices need to take the ones and zeros that make up your audio files (or streams) and turn them into audible sound. To do so, a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) converts digital data to the analog audio signal that traditional headphones use. Like a skilled translator, a high-quality DAC can give you better audio quality, but a poor one doesn’t work quite as well. The DAC in the iPhone is pretty good for what it is, but moving the DAC outside of the iPhone allows for potentially better conversion, and thus possibly better sound. (This applies to USB audio, too.)
Watch this space
We know—change can be scary. But while the iPhone 7 is lacking a headphone jack, it isn’t lacking in compatible audio alternatives. Whether you hear your music via Bluetooth or a Lightning-to-analog adapter, it will still sound as good, if not better than ever. And as more devices related to the switch pop up, we’ll be sure to check them out for you.
Updated on September 7, 2016, after Apple announced that the iPhone 7 would not have an analog headphone jack.
Mentioned above
- The JBL Reflect Aero TWS are our favorite earbuds for the gym. We love their secure fit, simple controls, waterproof design, and ability to block noise.The Best Workout Earbuds and Headphones
- The JBL Tour One M2 over-ear Bluetooth headphones sound great, have a long battery life, and offer premium features at a lower price than the competition.The Best Bluetooth Wireless Headphones
- Whether you prefer over-ear or in-ear noise-cancelling headphones, we have recommendations to help bring peace to your next trip.The Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones
- We’ve tested the best car chargers, and we have recommendations for affordable, reliable options that can fast-charge any device while you’re on the road.The Best USB Car Charger
Further reading
The Best Accessories for Your iPhone and iPad
by Dan Frakes, Nick Guy, and Wirecutter Staff
We’ve spent hundreds of hours over the past few years testing hundreds of iPhone and iPad accessories to find the best ones.
The Best Audiophile Headphones for Everyday Use
by Lauren Dragan and Brent Butterworth
Audiophile headphones focus on delivering the best sound quality, period. We’ve tested hundreds of them and selected our favorites for different uses.
The Best iPhone Armbands for Running
by Ben Frumin
If you’re set on strapping your iPhone to your arm, we’ve determined that the Tune Belt Sport Armband is the best armband for most runners.
The Best Qi Wireless Charger for iPhone and Android Phones
by Sarah Witman
The Belkin BoostCharge Pro is your best bet for charging a single device wirelessly. It has MagSafe capabilities, a long cord, and a handy built-in stand.