Apple iPhone 7’s EarPods with lightning connectors spotted

NEW DELHI: Since last year, we have been hearing rumours about Apple planning to let go off the 3.5mm headphone jack and replace it with the lightning connector in iPhone 7 and iPhone 7s. The move is speculated to make the upcoming iPhones slimmer.

Now a set of images that have surfaced on the, web claiming to be of Apple EarPods with lightning connector, confirm this. The EarPods’ images, posted on Chinese social media website Weibo, are said to come with Apple iPhone 7 and iPhone 7s.

In the images, except for the lightning connector nothing else seems to have been changed. The earpiece and the remote look the same. The inclusion of lightning connector also means that users would not be able to use it with any other device (or older Apple devices). It is also been seen as a way for Apple to ensure a tighter control over its accessories.


At the bottom too, the lightning connector is bigger than what we is currently found on Apple’s typical USB cables. The size hints that there might be some electronics in there as well. According to Apple Insider, it hints at the possibility of an authenticator chip.

Incidentally, Apple will not be the first company to ditch the 3.5mm headphone jack (if it does) as earlier this year LeEco launched its three smartphones without a 3.5mm headphone jack. The company claims the handsets are the first in the world to forego the traditional 3.5mm jack and feature a USB Type-C audio port.

Motorola too has let go of the port in its flagship Moto Z and Moto Z Force smartphones. One would probably have to use the USB Type-C to 3.5mm adapter to listen music in these phones.