Samsung unveiled its flagship Galaxy Note 7 phablet at an Unpacked event in New York on Tuesday. Taking advantage of the spotlight, Samsung executives made sure to take a few jabs at arch-rival Apple and its upcoming iPhone 7. Apple’s next-gen iPhone is widely expected to ditch the 3.5mm headphone jack in favor of a Lightning port.
Note 7 comes with ‘an audio jack’
Samsung’s marketing VP Justin Denison pointed out that the Galaxy Note 7 comes with a 3.5mm headphone jack, unlike the iPhone 7. “Want to know what else it comes with? An audio jack. I’m just saying,” he said as the audience laughed. The Samsung exec did not specifically name the iPhone 7 or Apple, but it’s clear where his comments were directed.
Justin Denison also highlighted the Note 7’s 3,500mAh battery and expandable storage. Apple’s current iPhones don’t offer expandable storage. The Note 7 features 4GB RAM, a 12-MP main camera, wireless charging, a USB Type-C connector, iris scanner, and IP68 waterproofing. Samsung announced its flagship phablet roughly a month ahead of the iPhone 7 unveiling, which is expected to take place in early September.
iPhone 7 to be available in blue color?
It is not yet clear why Apple would want to get rid of the traditional headphone jack. Such a move could free up some space that can be used to add other components or reduce the thickness of the device. Notably, the Cupertino company has never shied away from ditching outdated technologies and features. Removal of the headphone jack means users will have to rely on a Lightning-compatible connector or a Bluetooth headphone.
Apple is widely expected to ship a Lightning to 3.5mm headphone jack adapter. But only time will tell whether the adapter will be included in the box or sold separately. In another report, Apple’s Chinese wireless partner China Unicom has teased the iPhone 7 in four different colors. The teaser image also confirms a dual-camera setup in the 5.5-inch model. According to the teaser image, the device will be available in blue color as well. The next-gen iPhone is expected to hit the store shelves on September 16.
