iPhone 16e and the Absence of the Headphone Jack

The iPhone 16e has officially been announced, and it is now available for preorder. As this new model hits the market, many potential buyers may be curious about the accessories they need to buy. The iPhone 16e is a significant addition to Apple’s lineup, positioned between the premium iPhone 16 and more budget-friendly options, while still providing many of the flagship features that iPhone users appreciate.

Does the iPhone 16e have a headphone jack?

If you're wondering whether to invest in a new pair of AirPods or dust off some old wired headphones, it's essential to know whether the iPhone 16e has a headphone jack. The straightforward answer is no; Apple has not reverted to including a headphone jack with this model. The company made its well-known decision to remove the headphone jack nearly ten years ago, and that stance remains unchanged with the release of the iPhone 16e.

Additionally, Apple has discontinued the Lightning to 3.5mm adapter. Since the iPhone 16e uses a USB-C connection instead of a Lightning connector, this means that workaround is no longer available. However, users can still utilize third-party USB-C to 3.5mm adapters to connect traditional wired headphones. There are also plenty of USB-C headphones on the market that can work with the new model.

For those who prefer going wireless, the standout choice for Apple users is still the Apple AirPods. However, there are many excellent wireless earbud options available in 2025 that users might want to explore.

What are your alternatives?

Since the headphone jack is absent, users have to consider using adapters or switching to Bluetooth earbuds. There are numerous Bluetooth headphones available, many of which can offer sound quality that surpasses even the best AirPods.

If you want to stick to the Apple ecosystem, the Apple AirPods Max is an option, though it comes at a hefty price. Alternative brands like Sennheiser and Sony provide more affordable, higher quality options. Over-ear headphones can provide better noise cancellation than earbuds, making them a better choice if you want to focus in busy environments, whether at the office or at home.

Listening to music isn’t solely about personal enjoyment; if you’d rather share tunes with friends or family, looking into the best wireless speakers is also a great choice.

While the iPhone 16e introduces numerous noteworthy features, do not expect the headphone jack to make a return in this model or in future devices. Apple seems set on maintaining its design philosophy without the inclusion of this feature.

iPhone, headphone, accessories