Will Apple’s iPhone 7 Ditch the 3.5mm Headphone Jack?

I’m pretty damn happy with my Black Friday / Cyberweek purchase this year – I found a solid deal on the audio-technica ATH-M50x Headphones. They’re a nice upgrade from my last pair and they fit oh-so comfy.

So it caught my attention when I saw this story – rumor has it Apple’s iPhone 7 is ditching the standard 3.5mm headphone jack. The article goes on to say that only Lightning-based and Bluetooth headphones will be supported, and that this new change should allow Apple to make the new phone around 1mm slimmer than the 6. The story was first reported by the Japanese Mac blog Otakara.

Again this rumor has not been officially confirmed yet (hence why it’s a rumor), but that hasn’t stopped down iPhone fans from debating the issue. Some see the universal headphone jack as just an unnecessary obstacle standing in the way of a slimmer, better iPhone. Others are expressing concerns about the likely compatibility issues.

Personally I’m all for a slimmer phone. I never use a case, at my own risk, for that exact reason – I can’t stand walking around with bulky hardware in my pocket.

On the other hand, I don’t use Apple’s proprietary headphones, and especially after my new purchase I’m not in a hurry to buy a new set any time soon. When I’m at home, I like to plug my phone into my portable speaker, and sometimes my computer speakers. If I upgrade to the iPhone 7, that might not be possible unless there’s a converter available.

I don’t doubt that wireless headphones replacing 3.5mm is the direction we’re heading in. Whether in the next year or 5, our wired sets are on the way out, and it will probably happen sooner than many expect. So am I wrong for feeling a little skeptical about Apple’s next phone dumping the worldwide standard in jacks completely? Or should I just embrace this change and feel happy about fewer wires and slimmer phones?

What do you think – Is Apple heading in the right direction if this rumor pans out?