Apple's 'iPhone 7' rumored to ship with standard EarPods, Lightning adapter

A rumor circulating at Computex Taipei 2016 claims Apple plans to bundle a Lightning-to-3.5mm plug adapter with its standard EarPods headphones when "iPhone 7" ships this fall, hinting at a move away from the 3.5mm jack format.

According to Japanese website Mac Otakara, the rumor comes from Chinese accessory vendors marketing Lightning audio adapters at this year's computer expo in Taipei. While not specifically mentioned in the report, the inclusion of a Lightning adapter suggests the next-generation iPhone will nix the traditional 3.5mm audio jack in favor of an all Lightning or wireless solution.

By including a pair of regular EarPods with an adapter, Apple would offer the option of using its included headphones with iPhone and other audio sources. The strategy might also result in cost savings, as it does not require development or production of a new Lightning EarPods design.

In addition to headphone bundling, rumors from Computex claim Apple will fill the space created by removing iPhone's 3.5mm headphone jack with an extra speaker. The setup is said to be a monaural configuration, however, not the stereo arrangement introduced with iPad Pro. Covering the two loudspeakers will be porthole-style grilles seen on current iPhone 6 series handsets.

Finally, today's report echoes earlier rumors of an internal storage increase to 256GB for both "iPhone 7" and "iPhone 7 Plus" models.

Apple is expected to reveal its next-generation smartphone this fall with minor aesthetic improvements and internal buffs. Rumors that the company plans to do away with the 3.5mm jack have circulated for months, though subsequent parts and schematics have leaked showing designs both with and without the part.

38 Comments

tallest skil 43086 comments · 14 Years

About 8 years ago

By including a pair of regular EarPods with an adapter, Apple would offer the option of using its included headphones with iPhone and other audio sources. The strategy might also result in cost savings, as it does not require development or production of a new Lightning EarPods design.
Can we safely say that this claim isn’t a Steveseque decision? He’d make a new product and damn the consequences. “Why would you want to use someone else’s product when you have what Apple offers?”

awilliams87 264 comments · 11 Years

About 8 years ago

tallest skil said:

By including a pair of regular EarPods with an adapter, Apple would offer the option of using its included headphones with iPhone and other audio sources. The strategy might also result in cost savings, as it does not require development or production of a new Lightning EarPods design.
Can we safely say that this claim isn’t a Steveseque decision? He’d make a new product and damn the consequences. “Why would you want to use someone else’s product when you have what Apple offers?”

I don't believe this rumor at all. It's way to un-Apple-like.

thewhitefalcon 4444 comments · 10 Years

About 8 years ago

awilliams87 said:

tallest skil said:

Can we safely say that this claim isn’t a Steveseque decision? He’d make a new product and damn the consequences. “Why would you want to use someone else’s product when you have what Apple offers?”

I don't believe this rumor at all. It's way to un-Apple-like.

Apple has included adapters for some things in the past; FW800 to 400 adapters, and the original MacBook Air with a MicroDVI port came with DVI and VGA adapters in the box.

tallest skil 43086 comments · 14 Years

About 8 years ago

thewhitefalcon said:
the original MacBook Air with a MicroDVI port came with DVI and VGA adapters in the box.

Well, yeah; no one else used Micro DVI (and ever did). The MacBook Pro once came with DVI to VGA (and I have a Mini VGA to VGA from my iBook G3, so I assume it came with that).

I suppose you’re right. Just seems like since it’s a new port they’d go all in.