Headphone Jack Removal: Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox|title=Headphone Jack Removal|image=3.5mm_jack.jpg|caption=The 3.5mm audio jack, removed from most flagship phones after 2016|industry=Consumer Electronics|companies=Apple, Google, Samsung, OnePlus|date_started=September 7, 2016|affected=Billions of consumers worldwide|cost_to_consumer=$150-300 per wireless audio device}} | {{Infobox|title=Headphone Jack Removal|image=3.5mm_jack.jpg|caption=The 3.5mm audio jack, removed from most flagship phones after 2016|industry=Consumer Electronics|companies=Apple, Google, Samsung, OnePlus|date_started=September 7, 2016|affected=Billions of consumers worldwide|cost_to_consumer=$150-300 per wireless audio device}} | ||
The '''headphone jack removal''' refers to the systematic elimination of the 3.5mm audio port from smartphones and other portable devices, beginning with the [[iPhone 7]] in 2016. | The '''headphone jack removal''' refers to the systematic elimination of the 3.5mm audio port from smartphones and other portable devices, beginning with the [[iPhone 7]] in 2016. | ||
== Overview == | ==Overview== | ||
The 3.5mm audio jack (also known as TRS connector) was a universal standard for over 100 years, present in virtually all audio devices. Despite taking minimal space (approximately 8mm × 3.5mm), manufacturers began removing it claiming "courage" and "innovation." | The 3.5mm audio jack (also known as TRS connector) was a universal standard for over 100 years, present in virtually all audio devices. Despite taking minimal space (approximately 8mm × 3.5mm), manufacturers began removing it claiming "courage" and "innovation." | ||
== Timeline == | ==Timeline== | ||
* '''1878''': Quarter-inch jack invented for telephone switchboards | *'''1878''': Quarter-inch jack invented for telephone switchboards | ||
* '''1950s''': 3.5mm miniaturized version becomes standard | *'''1950s''': 3.5mm miniaturized version becomes standard | ||
* '''2016 September''': Apple removes jack from iPhone 7, CEO Tim Cook calls it "courage" | *'''2016 September''': Apple removes jack from iPhone 7, CEO Tim Cook calls it "courage" | ||
* '''2017''': Google mocks Apple, keeps jack in Pixel 2 | *'''2017''': Google mocks Apple, keeps jack in Pixel 2 | ||
* '''2018 October''': Google removes jack from Pixel 3 | *'''2018 October''': Google removes jack from Pixel 3 | ||
* '''2018-2019''': Samsung mocks both, maintains jack | *'''2018-2019''': Samsung mocks both, maintains jack | ||
* '''2020''': Samsung removes jack from Galaxy S20 | *'''2020''': Samsung removes jack from Galaxy S20 | ||
* '''2021''': Only budget and specialty phones retain jack | *'''2021''': Only budget and specialty phones retain jack | ||
== Manufacturer Claims vs Reality == | ==Manufacturer Claims vs Reality== | ||
=== Claim: "No space" === | ===Claim: "No space"=== | ||
* '''Reality''': Teardowns show empty space where jack was located | *'''Reality''': Teardowns show empty space where jack was located | ||
* Jerry Rig Everything demonstrated jack could fit in iPhone 7 | *Jerry Rig Everything demonstrated jack could fit in iPhone 7 | ||
* Some phones added fake speaker grilles in jack location | *Some phones added fake speaker grilles in jack location | ||
=== Claim: "Better water resistance" === | ===Claim: "Better water resistance"=== | ||
* '''Reality''': Galaxy S5 (2014) had IP67 rating WITH removable battery AND headphone jack | *'''Reality''': Galaxy S5 (2014) had IP67 rating WITH removable battery AND headphone jack | ||
* Sony Xperia phones maintained IP68 with jack until 2018 | *Sony Xperia phones maintained IP68 with jack until 2018 | ||
* Jack can be waterproofed with simple gasket ($0.10 part) | *Jack can be waterproofed with simple gasket ($0.10 part) | ||
=== Claim: "Improved audio quality" === | ===Claim: "Improved audio quality"=== | ||
* '''Reality''': Bluetooth audio uses lossy compression (SBC, AAC) | *'''Reality''': Bluetooth audio uses lossy compression (SBC, AAC) | ||
* Wired connection provides lossless, zero-latency audio | *Wired connection provides lossless, zero-latency audio | ||
* USB-C DACs add bulk, easy to lose, drain battery | *USB-C DACs add bulk, easy to lose, drain battery | ||
== Financial Impact == | ==Financial Impact== | ||
=== Direct Costs === | ===Direct Costs=== | ||
* Wireless earbuds: $150-300 (vs $20-50 wired) | *Wireless earbuds: $150-300 (vs $20-50 wired) | ||
* USB-C to 3.5mm adapter: $10-30 | *USB-C to 3.5mm adapter: $10-30 | ||
* Replacement cycle: 2-3 years (battery degradation) vs 5-10 years for wired | *Replacement cycle: 2-3 years (battery degradation) vs 5-10 years for wired | ||
=== Hidden Costs === | ===Hidden Costs=== | ||
* Cannot charge and listen simultaneously without $40+ splitter | *Cannot charge and listen simultaneously without $40+ splitter | ||
* Bluetooth earbuds require charging case | *Bluetooth earbuds require charging case | ||
* Environmental: Lithium batteries in millions of earbuds | *Environmental: Lithium batteries in millions of earbuds | ||
* E-waste: Non-repairable earbuds become landfill | *E-waste: Non-repairable earbuds become landfill | ||
== Consumer Impact == | ==Consumer Impact== | ||
* '''Airline travelers''': Cannot use airline-provided headphones | *'''Airline travelers''': Cannot use airline-provided headphones | ||
* '''Musicians''': Added latency makes recording/monitoring impossible | *'''Students''': Cannot use school computer lab headphones | ||
* ''' | *'''Musicians''': Added latency makes recording/monitoring impossible | ||
* ''' | *Incompatible with other audio equipment. AUX ports on car or stereo. | ||
* ''' | *'''Emergency situations''': Dead earbud battery = no audio | ||
*'''Security''': Wireless connections make it easier to track/identify the user, also makes listening to conversations easier. | |||
*'''Device interference''': Wireless signals more likely to interfere with implanted/wearable medical devices. | |||
== Market Manipulation == | ==Market Manipulation== | ||
Apple owns Beats (acquired 2014 for $3 billion), launched AirPods in 2016 alongside jack removal. AirPods revenue alone exceeds entire companies: | Apple owns Beats (acquired 2014 for $3 billion), launched AirPods in 2016 alongside jack removal. AirPods revenue alone exceeds entire companies: | ||
* 2019: $12 billion (more than Spotify, Twitter, Snap combined) | *2019: $12 billion (more than Spotify, Twitter, Snap combined) | ||
* 2020: $23 billion | *2020: $23 billion | ||
* 2021: $38 billion | *2021: $38 billion | ||
== Environmental Impact == | ==Environmental Impact== | ||
* Estimated 5 billion wireless earbuds sold 2016-2023 | *Estimated 5 billion wireless earbuds sold 2016-2023 | ||
* Each contains non-replaceable lithium battery | *Each contains non-replaceable lithium battery | ||
* Average lifespan: 2-3 years | *Average lifespan: 2-3 years | ||
* Result: 15 billion batteries in landfills by 2026 | *Result: 15 billion batteries in landfills by 2026 | ||
== Resistance == | ==Resistance== | ||
* [[Right to Repair]] advocates highlight this as planned obsolescence | *[[Right to Repair]] advocates highlight this as planned obsolescence | ||
* Some manufacturers (Asus, Sony) returned jack after backlash | *Some manufacturers (Asus, Sony) returned jack after backlash | ||
* EU considering mandate for universal audio standard | *EU considering mandate for universal audio standard | ||
== See Also == | ==See Also== | ||
* [[Planned Obsolescence]] | *[[Planned Obsolescence]] | ||
* [[Apple AirPods Battery Degradation]] | *[[Apple AirPods Battery Degradation]] | ||
* [[Bluetooth Audio Codecs]] | *[[Bluetooth Audio Codecs]] | ||
* [[USB-C Audio Problems]] | *[[USB-C Audio Problems]] | ||
== References == | ==References== | ||
[1] iFixit iPhone 7 Teardown [2] Apple September 2016 Keynote [3] Environmental Impact Study - IEEE 2021 [4] Market Analysis - Counterpoint Research | [1] iFixit iPhone 7 Teardown [2] Apple September 2016 Keynote [3] Environmental Impact Study - IEEE 2021 [4] Market Analysis - Counterpoint Research | ||
== External Links == | ==External Links== | ||
* [https://youtu.be/bRdL0StldJM?si=FF82IXMWiiHBINt1 The fairphone reduces ewaste - by removing the headphone jack....] | *[https://youtu.be/bRdL0StldJM?si=FF82IXMWiiHBINt1 The fairphone reduces ewaste - by removing the headphone jack....] | ||
* [https://reddit.com/r/headphones Consumer complaints megathread] | *[https://reddit.com/r/headphones Consumer complaints megathread] | ||