iPhone 7 "will drop headphone jack" in favour of Lightning connection

Fresh claims suggest Apple is in talks with audio chip partner Cirrus Logic to adapt the iPhone chipset to make the Lightning port the main audio output, in an effort to remove the headphone jack and make the iPhone 7 thinner.

Philips and Audeze have already produced headphones that use the Lightning connection on existing iPhones. Taking a digital signal from the iPhone's Lightning output, and using a third-party app, allows iPhones to support hi-res audio. Changes to the next iPhone's chip could seee iPhones play hi-res music natively, supporting rumours that Apple Music will support hi-res in 2016.

The latest report, from Fast Company, also claims new Apple Lightning headphones would launch alongside the new iPhone, no surprise there, and were likely to come with the latest noise-cancellation technology from UK brand, Wolfson. These new Lightning headphones could potentially carry the Beats branding.

Sources told What Hi-Fi? that while they hadn’t heard definite plans as yet, there were indeed strong signs that the headphone jack will either be reduced in size or removed altogether. Previous reports suggested Apple was working on a new D-shaped connector or even a pair of wireless "AirPods". Either way, it seems you won’t be able to use your regular headphones with the next iPhone 7 - and, presumanly, other subsequent iOS devices.

If true, it could make dedicated portable music players, such as those from Astell & Kern and Sony, more desirable - not least if you've spent a large amount of money on a pair of high-end headphones.

It wouldn't be the first time Apple had dumped certain connections and formats from its devices, having done away with the old 30-pin connection on iPods and iPhones, not to mention the optical disc drive on the MacBook Air.

MORE: Best portable music players

See all our portable music player reviews

Max Langridge

Max is a staff writer for What Hi-Fi?'s sister site, TechRadar, in Australia. But being the wonderful English guy he is, he helps out with content across a number of Future sites, including What Hi-Fi?. It wouldn't be his first exposure to the world of all things hi-fi and home cinema, as his first role in technology journalism was with What Hi-Fi? in the UK. Clearly he pined to return after making the move to Australia and the team have welcomed him back with arms wide open.

Latest in Smartphones
iPhone 16e in black and white on a white background
iPhone 16e vs Sony Xperia 10 VI: what are the differences?
A blue iPhone 16 pictured next to a white iPhone 16e
The iPhone 16e's downgrades are in all the right places if, like me, movies on the move are your priority
iPhone 16e on white background
Apple officially unveils the affordable iPhone 16e complete with an OLED display and Dolby Atmos support
A blue iPhone 16 pictured next to a white iPhone 16e
iPhone 16e vs iPhone 16: what's the difference, and which one should you buy?
Apple
iPhone SE 4: release date rumours, screen speculation, design hearsay and more
Apple
A new iPhone SE could be launching next week
Latest in News
Q Acoustics 3050i
Save £650 on this five-star Q Acoustics 5.1 home cinema setup
Marantz Cinema 30 AVR
Our Award-winning reference Marantz AVR is still selling at its best price ever
Meze Audio Poet
Meze's open-back Poet cans arrive, and they want to bring your music alive
Side view of Marantz CD6007 on wooden rack with magazines in background
This Award-winning Marantz CD player is back at its Black Friday price
Sonos Arc standing on a wooden unit beneath a TV screen
Stock of the Sonos Arc is starting to dry up – but there are still savings to be found on this Dolby Atmos soundbar
A woman relaxing in an armchair clasping a mug, gazing admiringly at a yellow turntable and speakers on a hi-fi cabinet.
Pro-Ject's new hi-fi system adds a splash of colour to your vinyl listening