For the past several months, there have been consistent rumors, leaks, and analyst reports claiming that Apple’s upcoming iPhone 7 would ditch the 3.5mm headphone jack to reduce the thickness of the handset. The rumors suggested that the iPhone 7 users will rely on the Lightning port for audio transmission. However, a new leak coming out of China suggests that the headphone jack may not be dead after all.
Contradictory reports about iPhone 7 headphone jack
The leaked image of the Lightning cable assembly allegedly destined for the iPhone 7 shows a headphone jack on the far left side. The image was leaked on Chinese microblogging site Weibo. The leaked part looks different from the same part used in the current iPhone 6S. Besides the headphone jack, the assembly part houses many components including antenna cables and the Lightning port.
The latest leak contradicts not only one of the most reliable Apple analysts, Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities, but also a case leaked by a reliable smartphone accessories maker. The case had no room for the headphone jack. Other rumors indicated that Apple could bring its own Bluetooth headphones that charge via the Lightning port. Note that the authenticity of the image leaked by Weibo could not be verified.
A second speaker to replace the headphone jack?
Experts said such anonymous leaks should be taken with a pinch of salt. They still believe that the iPhone 7 would arrive in September without a headphone jack. According to Japanese tech blog MacOtakara, the 3.5mm headphone socket will be replaced by a second speaker. The iPhone 7 is also said to get rid of the protruding rear camera and antenna bands.
Ming-Chi Kuo has learned from supply chain sources that Apple will launch a special version of its next-gen device called iPhone 7 Pro with a dual-camera system. However, recent reports suggest that the iPhone 7 will only be an incremental upgrade, retaining the design elements of the iPhone 6S Plus. The 2017 iPhone is said to bring massive design changes.
