Why Are Phones Getting Rid Of The Headphone Jack

In 2016, with the release of the iPhone 7, Apple started the trend of removing the headphone jack from smartphones. This caused a lot of controversy among users, with some people arguing that it was a move to force people to buy more expensive Bluetooth headphones and others simply stating that it was inconvenient. However, there are a few reasons why phone manufacturers are doing this, but first, let’s take a look at the history of the headphone jack.

History of Headphone Jack

Do you know the oldest technology used in your phone today? The 3.5mm headphone jack. The first phone to include a 3.5mm headphone jack was the Nokia 3310 released in 2000. It quickly became a standard feature in phones, and for many years, it was the only way to listen to music on your phone.

However, with the rise of Bluetooth headphones and other wireless audio technologies, almost every phone manufacturer like Apple and Samsung has been removing the headphone jack from their latest phones. So, why are they doing this?

Why Are Phones Getting Rid of The Headphone Jack?

There are a few reasons why phone manufacturers are getting rid of the headphone jack. Here are a few of the most popular theories:

1. More Hardware & Features

One reason why headphone jacks are being removed is to make room for other hardware in the phone. As phones become more and more advanced, there is a need for more space inside the phone to accommodate all of the new technology. By removing the headphone jack, manufacturers can save some space inside the phone.

2. Water Resistance

Another reason for removing the headphone jack is to make the phone more water-resistant. When the headphone jack is present, there is a small hole in the phone that can let water inside. By removing the headphone jack, manufacturers can make the phone more water-resistant.

3. Making Phones Slimmer

The dimensions of a 3.5mm headphone jack are about 8.5mm wide by 2.5mm high. By comparison, the dimensions of a Lightning connector are about 12.3mm wide by 2.8mm high. So, by removing the headphone jack, manufacturers can make phones slimmer. Hence, one of the reasons why Apple removed the headphone jack from the iPhone 7 was to make it slimmer than its predecessor, the iPhone 6s.

4. Bigger Battery

The removal of the headphone jack can also lead to a larger battery. This is because, without the need for a headphone jack, manufacturers have more space to work with when it comes to designing the phone. As a result, they can put in a bigger battery.

5. Forcing Users to Wireless Headphones

Some people believe that one of the reasons why headphone jacks are being removed is to force users to buy more expensive wireless headphones. This is because, without a headphone jack, users will need to either buy Bluetooth headphones or use an adapter to use their existing wired headphones. Due to the fact that Bluetooth headphones are more expensive than traditional wired headphones, some people believe that this is a ploy by manufacturers to make more money.

Final Words

So, those are a few of the reasons why phone manufacturers are removing the headphone jack from their phones. While there are some benefits to doing this, such as more space for other hardware or a larger battery, there are also some drawbacks, such as the need to buy Bluetooth headphones or use an adapter. What do you think about this trend? Let us know in the comments below.