It has been a couple of years now since Apple removed the standard headphone jack from their handsets. iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus were the first handsets to come with an adapter instead meaning users could continue to utilise their wired headphones via the charging port. However, this is set to become a thing of the past too, as Apple seems to be sending a clear message that wires are out and wireless is in.

So What Are Your Options?

There are three options when it comes to wireless headphones. The first comes in the form of Apple AirPods. These connect to your iPhone using proprietary technology which Apple assure you offers the best performance and no drop in sound. AirPods have been around for a while now and are not the cheapest accessory.

Buying these clever little buds that come in their own charging case will set you back upwards of £100 depending on where you purchase them, and what generation of AirPod you get. However, quality is, as with all things Apple, very good and you will be guaranteed a stunning audio performance whether you are streaming music, watching movies or chatting on the phone.

The Alternatives

But what happens if you do not want to spend that much, or do not like earbuds and prefer over the head cans? Well, the answer then is Bluetooth, of course, this has been a thing for a long time, and many users will have already switched to Bluetooth listening. If you choose this option then, of course, you can purchase any wireless Bluetooth headset, or earbuds if preferred and they will connect to your iPhone. In most cases the performance is good, but this has the potential for occasionally dropped connectivity. To be fair, this rarely happens now, so you have a wide range of choice in earphone technology which is helpful with prices starting from £10.

If you are set on your wired cans, then you can always purchase the adapter if it didn’t come with the iPhone handset you own. You can get the official Apple adapter for about £10, or you can get cheaper unbranded ones, but performance quality cannot be guaranteed.

Future Proofing

Whether you love or hate the removal of the standard headphone jack one thing is certain, it is not coming back. After the iPhone 7 series we have seen the iPhone 8 series, the iPhone X, the iPhone Xs and iPhone Xs Max and now the iPhone XR and none of them have the jack, so it is safe to say Apple is happy to stand by this decision. Wires can be constricting and get in the way, so we do understand their reasoning to push forward with better technology. So if you are looking to bag an iPhone when you upgrade your phone or take out a new pay monthly deal, then remember to make a plan for listening to music if this is something you like to do.