Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak says he would be unhappy if Apple eliminates headphone jacks in the next iPhone, as is rumored to be the case.
He said that eliminating the headphone jack in the next iPhone, presumed to be the iPhone 7, would be a major mistake that would “tick off a lot of people,” according to an interview published in the Australian Financial Review on Wednesday.
So far, Apple (AAPL) has not confirmed what it plans for its next iPhone. However, reports and both image and video leaks point to a new iPhone this year that comes with dual speakers at the bottom. In order to make room for the second speaker, Apple is removing the headphone jack, according to those reports. Users would then be required to use an accessory that would plug into the iPhone’s Lightning port to connect wired headphones or use wireless headphones that would communicate with the smartphone over Bluetooth.
Get Data Sheet, Coins2Day’s technology newsletter
The rumored move has caught the ire of some, who say that Bluetooth-based sound quality isn’t as good as what’s offered in tethered headphones. It would also be the first time that Apple would remove the headphone jack, representing a major departure in the company’s design decisions over the years.
There are many reports speculating that Apple is working on a new design for its earbuds that would connect wirelessly to the iPhone. However, the notoriously secretive Apple has not confirmed them.
While some may prefer tethered headphones, Bluetooth-based accessories have delivered better sound quality over the last few years while their numbers have also increased on store shelves. Although Apple doesn’t sell Apple-branded wireless headphones, the company does offer Bluetooth-based headphones through its Beats brand, which it acquired in 2014 for $3 billion. Indeed, Beats sells several wireless earbuds and headphones that would ostensibly work with iPhones that lack headphone jacks.
IPhone 7 Rumor Roundup: Release Date, Features, and More
Still, that’s not enough for Woz. In his interview, the Apple co-founder said that transmitting audio over Bluetooth isn’t good enough for those, like him, who want better fidelity.
“I would not use Bluetooth … I don’t like wireless,” he said. “I have cars where you can plug in the music, or go through Bluetooth, and Bluetooth just sounds so flat for the same music.”
For more about iPhone, watch:
Since Apple won’t say what its plans are for the future, we’ll need to wait and see whether the headphone jack will be removed from the next iPhone. We likely won’t have to wait long: Apple is expected to hold an iPhone press event in early September. Reports are contradictory about when the next iPhone will premiere with one saying it’ll land on Sept. 16 and another on Sept. 23.