The Apple iPhone 16 range features four models with a lot to offer. The iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max all have powerful processors, slimmer display bezels, a few design tweaks, and Apple Intelligence support. But some familiar Apple choices remain, including the lack of a 3.5mm headphone jack.
So, does the iPhone 16 have a headphone jack? No. None of the iPhone 16 models include a traditional headphone jack.
The iPhone 16 misses out on the headphone jack
Unless you’ve been holding on to a really old Apple smartphone, you probably already know where this is going. The iPhone 16 does not have a 3.5mm headphone jack, and neither do the iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, or iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Apple ditched the physical headphone jack with the iPhone 7, and it hasn’t looked back since. The connector situation has changed since then, moving from Lightning to USB-C, but the headphone jack has not returned. Thus came the age of dongle life, to coin an adage.
If you still want wired audio, Apple’s USB-C to 3.5mm headphone jack adapter is the simplest fix. You can also use USB-C wired headphones if you don’t want to add another tiny adapter to your drawer of shame.
A proper DAC is still the better route if you care about lossless music streaming or want to plug in a good pair of wired in-ear monitors or headphones. It costs more, which stings after already paying for a new iPhone, but it’s still the cleanest path for wired audio nerds who refuse to let the dongle life win.
Do you have any other options?
Yes, but they all involve moving past the old 3.5mm port. You can use USB-C wired headphones, a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter, a portable DAC, or wireless earbuds.
For most people, wireless earbuds will be the easiest answer. There are no cables to untangle, and pairing is usually painless, especially if you’re using AirPods. The downside is that you’re adding one more battery-powered gadget to your life, because apparently we hadn’t suffered enough.
If you want to stay inside Apple’s ecosystem, the AirPods Pro 3 remain one of the best options. They offer strong noise cancellation, personalized spatial audio, hearing protection, hearing test support, and hearing aid capability. The standard AirPods are cheaper and keep the open-ear design, while the version with ANC adds more useful features without jumping all the way to Pro pricing.
If you don’t care about sticking with Apple, there are plenty of strong alternatives. The Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds are a great pick for audio quality, while the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II remain a go-to choice for noise cancellation and comfort. The OnePlus Buds Pro 3 are also worth considering if you want something outside Apple’s orbit with strong sound and more customization.
The short version is simple: the iPhone 16 does not bring back the headphone jack. If wired audio matters to you, buy the right USB-C adapter or DAC. If convenience matters more, wireless earbuds are where Apple clearly expects you to go.
