The headphone jack will likely get killed when Apple introduces the iPhone 7 this year, but don’t expect Cupertino to toss in a free pair of wireless EarPods with the new device.
Apple will supposedly include a pair of Lightning-connected EarPods with the iPhone 7, according to an investors note from Barclays that reveals Apple hasn’t purchased the rights to use Cirrus’ noise-canceling technology that would be necessary for the headphones.
In the note obtained by Business Insider, Analysts Blayne Curtis and Christopher Hemmelgarn told investors that they believe Apple is still considering adding wireless headphones on the iPhone 7s.
“We still believe there is potential for Apple to add ANC in the iPhone 7s but believe Apple is including just the digital headphone in the iPhone 7 this year,” the investors said.
“We do believe there are aftermarket Apple and Android opportunities this year, and we have included only 7.5M units in FY17 as those sales. Recent speculation surrounding the elimination of the headphone jack in the iPhone 7 is consistent with this move as Apple will need to provide a digital headset inbox but likely was not willing to spend the extra cost for the ANC functionality.”
Killing the headphone jack will make the iPhone 7 more waterproof, and give Apple’s engineers more space to add other features, or pare down the device. The Barclays analysts believe Apple will add a better speaker, but we wouldn’t mind more battery.
The iPhone 7 is expected to be revealed in the Fall of 2016. Other rumored new features include a dual-lens camera, refined metal body design that ditches a few of the antenna bands, a wicked fast A10 processor, and other internal improvements.
