Newly released source code for the upcoming iOS 9.3, which will be used on the iPhone 7, suggests the company will move forward with rumored plans to eliminate the traditional headphone jack on the next device in the popular smartphone series.

Reports have been circulating that the iPhone 7 might be the first iPhone to get rid of the traditional 3.5mm headphone jack, the standard size for almost every pair of headphones. According to Apple's code, it seems very possible that the headphone jack will be changed.

Developers who are experimenting with the iOS 9.3 public beta 1.1 have noticed a hint, which indicates that Apple is ready to ditch the traditional 3.5mm headphone jack very soon, TechRadar reports.

Apple's Code Says So

A developer noticed a part of Apple's code that reads "Headphones.have.%sinput.NO." This could indicate that Apple is getting ready to introduce iPhones without the 3.5mm headphone jack, despite its popularity on a range of devices.

Even if Apple does eliminate the 3.5mm headphone jack, the upcoming device would still include a headphone jack. Instead of using the 3.5mm headphone size, Apple would likely have iPhone owners plug in headphones into the Lightning port instead. Headphones that work with the Lightning port are already available.

Petition to Keep the Jack

Apple fans are already upset about the possibility of the 3.5mm headphone jack being removed, even though the change is still just a rumor. In response to the possibility of a change, however unconfirmed, over 200,000 people signed a petition asking Apple to keep the 3.5mm headphone jack on the iPhone 7.

Old Headphones Would Be Useless

If Apple does announce that they are indeed removing the 3.5mm headphone jack, most headphones available on the market would not work on the new device. iPhone 7 owners would be forced to purchase adapters to make their old headphones work or buy completely new headphones in order to listen to music and podcasts via the Lightning port.

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