Fans angry over 'missing' iPhone 7 headphone socket

Online reports suggest Apple plans to omit the 3.5mm socket to make the iPhone 7 thinner and more waterproof, with more room for the battery.

The Fast Company reported it would rely on the Lightning cable port, currently used for charging, for sound output.

Others suggest Apple will ship the iPhone 7 with wireless headphones.

The Sum of Us, a website 'fighting for people over profits', which organised the petition, said: 'Not only will this force iPhone users to dole out additional cash to replace their hi-fi headphones, it will singlehandedly create mountains of electronic waste that likely won't get recycled.'

Tech website The Verge said: 'Removing [the] headphone [socket] from phones is something that no-one is asking for and has serious drawbacks including poor compatibility and accessibility, [and] DRM [digital rights management] audio [ie with built-in copyright enforcement].'

Many complained on Twitter that removing the socket would render expensive headphones useless.

SOURCE: BBC NEWS

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