Goodbye headphone jack, Apple brings lightning EarPods and AirPods to iPhone 7

So, it’s confirmed now. No headphone jack with the new iPhone 7. The Cupertino giant is instead offering two, new headphone options to make the transition painless for audiophiles.

“The reason to move on ... it really comes down to one word: Courage,” Apple Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing Phil Schiller said during the company’s September news event.

The first option, called Lightning EarPods, will be included with new iPhone 7 model and is basically an updated version of the existing EarPods - only they connect to the iPhone via the Lightning port.

Schiller explained that abandoning the analog headphone jack allows Apple to make room for various other technological improvements, such as brighter displays, faster processors, and the iPhone 7’s stereo speakers. The Lightning connection also allows for new headphone features, he said, including adaptive noise cancellation and higher-quality audio without an external power source.

The second headphone option is wireless AirPods. They are completely cord-free and feature a "W1 chip" inside that's supposed to ensure a reliable wireless connection. There's also infrared sensors that detect when each AirPod is in your ear, enabling them to only play when in your ears.

These AirPods are also equipped with motion accelerometer, so that they can respond to your touch, allowing you to activate Siri with a double tap. The new microphones in these headphones are beam-forming, too, which reduces external noise.

As for battery life, each AirPod will run for five hours on a charge, and they come with a wireless charging case that brings back a few hours of runtime after 15 minutes inside. In total, the case provides up to 24 hours of battery life.

Sadly, the new addition comes with a big price tag- $159 to be precise and they will be available in late October.