8 Years After Removing the iPhone Headphone Jack, Apple Reintroduces Buttons and Ports
Matilda
8 Years After Removing the iPhone Headphone Jack, Apple Reintroduces Buttons and Ports
Apple’s bold move to remove the headphone jack from its iPhone lineup in 2016 sparked intense debates. Eight years later, the tech giant is quietly reversing some of its most controversial decisions, reintroducing physical buttons and ports with the iPhone 16. This subtle shift marks a significant moment for Apple, which once prided itself on eliminating traditional hardware in the name of innovation. The Journey from Courage to Convenience Back in 2016, Phil Schiller, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing, took to the stage to explain that removing the headphone jack required “courage.” Apple’s decision was framed as necessary for progress, citing the need to make way for better features, like improved water resistance and thinner designs. That same year, the iPhone 7 introduced wireless AirPods, encouraging users to embrace a new ecosystem of audio solutions that didn’t rely on wired connections. While Apple succeeded in pushing the industry towards wireless audio, the …
