4 Ways iPhone 7 Owners Can Survive the Death of the 3.5mm Headphone Jack

The 3.5mm headphone jack has been the staple of portable music devices for decades. Most smartphones have them and that’s why it was quite the surprise when rumors sprouted up about the possible removal of the audio port from the iPhone 7.

Why remove it? Well, if Apple does decide to ditch the 3.5mm jack, it’s probably in an effort to save space inside the phone. Worry not, audiophile, the iPhone 7 will still be compatible with certain headphones. Just take a look at a few possible ways to “survive” the loss of the 3.5mm jack

Buy a new pair of Lightning headphones.

Apple probably won’t leave you hanging, as they currently have headphones with a Lighting plug on the end. The current top-of-the-line Audeze El-8 Titanium headphones run about $800, but there are cheaper headphones out there. The least expensive run $150, according to TechInsider. If patience is one of your better qualities, you could play the waiting game and possibly save some money, as Apple will probably include a standard Lightning compatible set with the iPhone 7 right in the box.

Plug in an adapter.

When Apple nixed the original iPhone power connector, there was a big problem: all of those devices that used the old connecter were useless. Thankfully, an adapter was designed to so that the new phones could be plugged into older devices. Apple is expected to create a Lightning adapter, so older headphones can be plugged into the iPhone.

Use Bluetooth headphones.

This might seem like, “ah duh,” kind of suggestion but one could use Bluetooth headphones. They are reliable and it’s easy to pair them. Of course, if one already has a pair of Bluetooth headphones, there’s no worry. If not, there are plenty of affordable headphones available. The best thing about Bluetooth is that there are no wires, and the built-in lithium batteries can be charged from the wall or a computer, which is quite convenient. Plus, they can be used with other Bluetooth devices, making it a sound purchase.

Don’t upgrade.

The most affordable option is to simply not upgrade when the iPhone 7 comes out. If money is an issue, just save up until you can afford it, or pass on it altogether. Holding on to the iPhone 6s is smart because it’s a fantastic phone, has a 3.5mm headphone jack, and is a no-brainer on a tight budget.

Apple may still keep the 3.5mm jack in the next iPhone 7, but should they remove it, life will go on. It was a major shakeup when Apple moved to the smaller Lightning port, but ultimately it was for the best. Whatever happens with the next generation iPhone, the cost to the consumer will likely be very minimal.

Learn More: iPhone 7 Rumor Round-Up: Here’s What We Expect from the Next iPhone