iPhone 7: Someone just beat Apple to its next MAJOR smartphone innovation
APPLE is rumoured to shake-up the design of its upcoming iPhone 7 by ditching the 3.5mm headphone port in favour of a noise-cancelling pair of Lightning EarPods. Problem is, HTC just unveiled the same innovation for its new flagship, the HTC 10.
Apple is heavily-rumoured to drop the 3.5mm headphone port for the upcoming iPhone 7, whihc is set to launch in September.
Some dubious leaked images appear to confirm the rumour, which will see Apple bundle new EarPod headphones, powered by a Lightning Connector.
The Lightning port is capable of charging and sending audio signals at the same time – so Apple could include active noise-cancelling technology into its iconic white headphone without adding any bulk to its iconic cans.
It would be a major update for smartphone fans, except HTC just beat Apple to the punch.
HTC this week unveiled its brand-new flagship smartphone, which boasts a dramatically improved camera, faster processor, fingerprint scanner, wide-angle selfie camera with OIS and a simplified version of Android Marshmallow.
The HTC 10 also includes a USB Type-C port for charging, syncing – as well as an incredibly innovative new use.
In a collaboration with JBL, HTC is set to launch the world’s first USB Type-C sport earphone with noise cancellation and adaptive noise control.
Plugged directly into the charging port, the JBL Reflect Aware C earphones will combine sweat-proof design with digital audio and battery-free active noise cancellation.
Like the rumoured Apple EarPods, the JBL Reflect Aware C headphones don't have to gain any bulk for their noise cancelling technology.
HTC is currently staying tight-lipped on when we will see these new headphones, but they are expected to launch in a handful of countries soon.
It's worth noting that HTC 10 still includes a standard 3.5mm headphone socket but it's the first sign that this ageing port could be heading for the history books.
Express.co.uk spent some time with the HTC 10 earlier this month, praising the all-metal design, fantastic rear-facing shooter with 4K video, High-Res audio support and solid low-light performance.
But we were left feeling a little underwhelmed by the flagship handset.
Read our first impressions of the Taiwanese firm's comeback smartphone, here.
