The internet has been abuzz with a rumor that Apple is planning on axing the universal 3.5mm headphone port on future iterations of the iPhone in favor of making it thinner.
This isn't the first time this rumor has come up. Back in 2012 prior to the announcement of the iPhone 5, the same rumor was floating around, but in a slightly different variation. Instead of getting rid of the port all together, the port was to be shrunk to 2.5mm, forcing users to buy an adapter that Apple would undoubtedly make.
This time around the rumor is that Apple is planning to eliminate the port all together, which is bad news for wired headphone users. The workaround for this would that Apple would force you to use the lightning port with their own adapter, while at the same time making manufacturers to create lightning equipped headphones.
With the rise in popularity of bluetooth enabled headphones, this move by the tech giant, although very risky and bold, would not be completely devastating. With the acquisition of Beats in 2014, Apple already has a great deal of wireless headphones out on the market, which are especially popular with the younger generations. However, to remove a port that is so universal is still a very big move.
The reason why they may choose to remove the port is because Apple wants to create an even thinner phone, and the 3.5mm port is preventing them from doing so. The current generation of iPhones come in at 7.1mm (iPhone 6) and 7.2mm (iPhone 6s Plus) respectively. One of the reasons why #bendgate happened two years ago was due to the thinner form factor of the iPhone 6 Plus. Personally, I think that phones are thin enough as they are. I would prefer a slightly thicker chassis that is more durable, and capable of holding a larger battery.
If Apple chooses to go through with this, this would stave off the implementation of the new USB type C port being found on iPhones.