By Peter Marsh
Experts say Apple’s decision to remove the 3.5mm headphone jack from the newest iPhones will have a big impact across the technology industry.
Managing director of emerging technology analyst firm Telsyte, Foad Fadaghi, believes Apple’s move will spell the end of the 3.5mm jack, and wired headphones altogether.
“What might happen is that handsets that have headphone jacks might be considered antiques,” he said.
“Especially once competitors’ models start appearing without headphone jacks.”
Apple revealed its latest iPhone models at an event in San Francisco today.
The 3.5mm jack has been the industry standard since the Walkman.
In the technology world, it’s a relative fossil, and Apple has decided to move on.
Do I have to buy new headphones?
Not immediately.
Headphones will now connect to the iPhone via wireless or Apple’s Lightning connector.
For those with older headphones, the new model is set to ship with an adapter.
But you’re getting a glimpse at where the industry is heading, according to Mr Fadaghi.
But he said Apple still has an interest in supporting older iPhone models.
“One of their strategies is to use that as a platform to reduce the price of older models. Often those handsets do quite well. They still will have a foot in each camp as such,” Mr Fadaghi said.
Mr Fadaghi said the move was a familiar one from Apple, which is in the enviable position of being able to steer the market.
The tech titan also has a sizable stake in the headphone business.
In 2014 Apple paid $3 billion to buy Beats Electronics, one of the world’s biggest manufacturers of premium headphones.
Wireless technology has also existed for many years, and other manufacturers are moving in the same direction according to Mr Fadaghi.
“This is typical Apple … popularising a technology through its ability to reach a massive customer base that it currently enjoys,” he said.
“Apple has not been afraid to do similar things in the past and try to lead the industry down a particular path.”
Here’s Mr Fadaghi with the TL;DR:
But in reality, Mr Fadaghi said we’re likely to see this play out just like when Apple introduced the Lightning connector:
“Our research has not shown that consumers in the past rejected newer iPhones due to the change to the Lightning connector.
“It’s quite likely in this scenario as well,” he said.
“I suspect it won’t materially impact Apples sales. In fact, it might conversely be the opposite with heightened awareness around the device.”
Director of the UWA Centre for Software Practice Associate Professor David Glance has a similar view.
“We’re getting used to that whole wireless thing and we’re interacting with devices like Apple TV and speakers around the house and in the car over Bluetooth.”
“I don’t think it’ll make a big difference at all.”
So, what’s next?
That’s in part up to Apple’s competitors both in the smartphone and headphone market.
Mr Fadaghi believes Apple’s move signals the beginning of the end to the 3.5mm jack and wired headphones.
“If they want to compete on design basis with Apple and achieve the same physical thickness of the handset most of Apple’s competitors surely will follow,” he said.
This post originally appeared on ABC News.
© 2016 Australian Broadcasting Corporation. All rights reserved. Read the ABC Disclaimer here.