Nearly 10 years later, no one disputes Apple's decision anymore.

Initially, Apple's decision was controversial, but reality proved them right and a series of other brands followed suit.

Removing the 3.5mm jack brings many benefits to smartphones. Photo: Makeuseof .

The world of smartphones has changed over time, with features being added and some being removed. One of the most controversial changes has been the removal of the headphone jack.

When Apple introduced the iPhone 7 without this familiar audio connection port, it created a wave of fierce controversy. Many people thought this was a wrong move. The 3.5mm jack is so familiar and important that it cannot be absent on the phone.

However, after 9 years, reality shows that Apple is right. They continue to launch a series of iPhones without headphone jacks and still dominate the global smartphone market. Besides, a series of other big brands in the phone industry also do the same.

According to Makeuseof , removing the headphone jack makes phones better in many different ways.

More durable, more waterproof

Modern phones are much more durable than the first generation of smartphones. One of the most impressive technological advances that makes phones durable is their water and dust resistance, often expressed in an IP rating, such as IP68.

Removing the headphone jack helps make smartphones more water-resistant. Photo: Makeuseof.

The IP rating on phones means they have some level of protection against the ingress of foreign materials, like liquids and dust particles. To do this, manufacturers try to minimize the openings through which water and dust can get in.

The headphone jack is a prime entry point for water and dust. Removing it makes it easier for companies to seal the device, preventing foreign material from entering. Today, IP68-rated phones can withstand spills, rain, and even brief submersion in water.

An IP68-rated phone like the Samsung Galaxy S25 can withstand being submerged in water up to 1.5 meters deep for up to 30 minutes without damage. The iPhone 17 can be submerged in water up to 6 meters deep for up to 30 minutes.

While water resistance does not mean waterproof, the market shows that users still prefer to choose water resistance over having a headphone jack.

USB-C - the perfect replacement

USB-C is now the standard port on phones, laptops, and even accessories like headphones and power banks. Makeuseof considers this one of the best things to ever happen to consumer electronics. A simple port not only makes charging easy but also transfers data quickly.

The USB-C port is capable of supporting high-quality audio transmission. Photo: Makeuseof.

However, one of the lesser-known advantages of USB-C is the ability to transmit audio signals thanks to the USB audio port. With this feature, USB-C effectively replaces the outdated headphone jack. So, even without a 3.5mm jack, users can still listen to lossless music using the popular USB-C port.

This also simplifies accessory management, minimizing cable clutter. Just one port handles charging, data transfer, and digital audio.

More and more high-end headphones are now using the USB-C port, such as Apple's AirPods Max and Sennheiser's MOMENTUM 4 Wireless.

Free up space

When designing smartphones, companies are limited by the amount of space they have to fit components into. Users typically expect phones to be a few millimeters thick and weigh around 200 grams. Anything more than that and the device becomes bulky and difficult to carry around.

After removing the headphone jack, Apple has now also removed the SIM tray to achieve thinness for devices like the iPhone Air. Photo: Tuan Anh.

So the only way to deliver compact, highly portable devices is to make the most of the available space, which sometimes comes at the cost of controversial trade-offs like removing the headphone jack or microSD card slot.

The headphone jack may seem small at about 3.5mm wide, but considering the need for a cylindrical housing plus the space for the circuitry, this component takes up a significant amount of space inside.

By removing it, manufacturers free up space for other components. This small change can allow for increased battery capacity, improved haptic feedback, or improved cooling systems that can handle heavier tasks without overheating.

Source: https://znews.vn/gan-10-nam-khong-con-ai-tranh-cai-ve-quyet-dinh-cua-apple-post1592814.html