More Evidence Apple Might Drop Lightning To Headphone Jack Adapter From New iPhones

Two years after controversially removing the 3.5 millimeter headphone jack from the iPhone 7, Apple might do even more to force users to adopt bluetooth audio devices. When Apple launches its still-unannounced 2018 line of iPhones later this year, they might not even include the lightning cable to headphone jack adapter that the last two iterations of iPhones included to appease wired-headphone users, according to MacRumors.

Rumors have circulated for months that Apple might ditch the adapter, which is a small device that plugs directly into the charging port on an iPhone and allows the use of wired headphones on phones without 3.5mm jacks. The latest development to add fuel to the fire came from a Barclays research note, in which parts supplier Cirrus Logic reportedly confirmed the adapter will not be included with iPhones anymore.

If that is indeed the case, those with wired headphones can still get the adapter for less than $10 from Apple or retailers. As MacRumors pointed out, the small dongle has been one of Best Buy’s top-selling Apple items for two years.

When Apple revealed the iPhone 7 would not have a headphone jack in 2016, it was a fairly contentious issue for some iPhone users. Apple’s justification at the time did little to please those who did not want to give up their usual headphones. Company marketing executive Phil Schiller infamously said “it comes down to courage” for Apple to remove a feature many iPhone owners used every day.

Still, the change did not hurt Apple much in the long run. The Cupertino, California-based tech giant became the first U.S. company to hit $1 trillion in market value last week, after reporting strong iPhone sales.

Apple is expected to launch three new iPhone models before the end of 2018, as it did last year with the iPhone X and the two iPhone 8 models. There will likely be a newer, bigger version of the premium X model, as well as something for consumers who do not want to pay $1,000 or more for a phone.