Watch: Apple Lightning EarPods for 'iPhone 7' supposedly appear in new video

A new video shows a what is said to be a functional set of authentic Apple Lightning EarPods — an accessory that could be packed in with any future iPhone lacking an analog headphone jack.

The video creator does demonstrate functionality by controlling the iPhone 6 audio playback with the remote attached to the cable, as well as playing back audio through the buds adjacent to the camera microphone. However, the video never shows the entire cable in frame at once.

Reports started circulating in November 2015 that Apple would eschew the analog port, in favor of the digital Lightning interface on the next major iPhone update. A follow-on supply chain source produced a mock-up reportedly sourced from pre-production sample data in April 2016 that also had no headphone jack.

Multiple sources have claimed that they are in possession of the official Apple Lightning earbuds since November, none verifiable at this point. Additionally, at the end of July, a questionable report surfaced demonstrating the existence of what was called a legitimately Apple-built Lightning-to-headphone adapter.

While the provenance of all the "iPhone 7" rumors to this point are unclear, they all have commonalities. None of the sources show significant departures from the iPhone 6 family design language, and none of them have a headphone jack.

The next major iteration of the iPhone is expected to be announced in early September.

72 Comments

MacBAir 48 comments · 8 Years

About 8 years ago

Hi!

So, what's the consensus, here? I think that the transition to wireless is the way to go, but if they sell lightning headphones they must include a lightning port on Macs as well.
A part of me tells me that they will sell lightning headphones and we will have a 99$ option for wireless. That would be shameful, me thinks.

These days it seems that it is all for current profit margins, even if impacts the platform on the long run.

andrewj5790 296 comments · 9 Years

I think the picture of what we'll get is coming into focus this week. Lighting EarPods bundled, BT EarPods sold separately. Happy with that. I've been using wired headphones in the car while driving for lyft, and have come to hate them with a passion. Tangled wires, distance restrictions, etc. I'll be buying BT headphones regardless of what Apple does but I'm waiting to see what they offer.

TurboPGT 355 comments · 9 Years

Apple Lightning EarPods (included)
Apple Lightning-to-3.5mm Adapter ($19)
Apple Bluetooth AirPods ($79)

MacBAir said:

Hi!

So, what's the consensus, here? I think that the transition to wireless is the way to go, but if they sell lightning headphones they must include a lightning port on Macs as well.
A part of me tells me that they will sell lightning headphones and we will have a 99$ option for wireless. That would be shameful, me thinks.

These days it seems that it is all for current profit margins, even if impacts the platform on the long run.

Or, the wired lighting headphones that will probably be bundles are what 90% of people will want anyway. They're not a charity. Selling BT earbuds that cost theee times what the wired headphones cast and cutting into their margins would be stupid.