With the launch of the new iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, Apple made a drastic decision: to eliminate the 3,5 mm jack connector. for headphones. With this, the possibilities of listening to music on the iPhone are reduced to a bluetooth headset or headphones with a lightning connector such as the new EarPods that are already included in the box.
This decision, without a doubt, entails some other inconvenience but also multiple advantages in the present and in the future that support it. Let's see why the lightning connector is much better for headphones than the traditional jack plug 3,5 millimeters.
Lightning, much more than just a plug
Although it is something that we knew (rather, we intuited) since the beginning of this year, the confirmation that Apple removed the headphone jack connector has not left anyone indifferent. The measure is controversial, no doubt! Like any other risky move in the tech world: remember when it launched the MacBook Air without an optical drive? Or when you deleted it on the Mac Mini? And who now uses the cd / dvd in the laptop?
On a personal level, I consider that the path of the future that opens before the disappearance of the jack connector is not another cable with a different connector, in this case lightning, if not the release of the cables itself. Currently, bluetooth connectivity is very stable, and its energy consumption is minimal. The feeling of walking down the street without a cable to "tie" you to the iPhone in your pocket is magnificent. But still, there are users who prefer to use a wired headset. Perfect! More would be missing!
The negative factor
The big drawback of the only lightning connector on the iPhone and the disappearance of the jack connector is that these users will not be able to continue using their headphones should they need to charge their iPhone. Different adapters already circulate for them that allow them to do both at the same time but, let's face it, it is another hassle and another accessory that we have to watch out for.
In the face of this very important obstacle from my point of view, the lightning headphone jack offers some great advantages that, again in my opinion, confirm that Apple has taken the right path. So much so that some competing brands already plan to do away with the jack connector in the near future.
Advantages of the lightining connector on headphones
Better sound quality
The lightning connector allows headphone manufacturers to use their own high-quality digital-to-analog digital signal processor (DAC), thereby creating a sound much deeper and fuller, better.
It will allow devices to be even thinner
Voucher! Granted, the next iPhones aren't going to be as thin as rolling paper however, by removing the necessary components for the analog headphones and the jack itself, a space is freed that can be used in future generations of the iPhone. Or otherwise, to include additional components, or more battery.
Headphones will be more innovative
When using a lightning connector, headphone makers will have more to innovate. For example, the noise cancellation technology inside the headphones might not require a battery as the power is already provided by the connection port itself.
Also, those high-quality digital-to-analog converters that we mentioned built into the headphones could further improve the audio quality by not relying on the internal circuitry of the iPhone.
The number of dummy headphones will be reduced
Fake EarPods with 3,5mm connectors abound everywhere. Conversely, Lightning connector requires Apple's MFi seal And consequently, although counterfeits will not disappear, they will be reduced and users will have greater guarantees.
The nonsense that you have to read here ...
It seems to me that it is trying to justify the unjustifiable, Apple will know why it has ended up removing the jack connection, but this is not to have a world without cables, since Bluetooth headphones use more battery yes or yes, it is not that now they spend little, it is They spend more than if you listen to it by cable, apart from the fact that you should always think about having the headphones charged to listen to music. Currently that does not seem like an improvement to me.
If solutions are now being sought to the problem of the lack of jack, this problem exists. Before that did not happen, curious way to advance towards the future….
The use of a virtual keyboard by the physical keyboard, the use of html5 by flash, the elimination of optical drives, the elimination of the 3.5 ANALOG jack.
I think Apple makes decisions thinking about the future, it is true that any transition generates discomfort and in some cases anger, but believe me I do not miss the 3.5 ″ disk at all (which Apple eliminated in its first iMac around 98, in full heyday of floppy disks).
Everyone can defend their preferences, even if they tend to be obsolete.
On the other hand, it would be bad will if Apple gave you the device without the temporary possibility of continuing to use what you like (read adapter) or without compatible headphones (EarPods lightning).