The internet is not pleased with the news that the next iPhone will not come with a traditional headphone jack. Instead, Apple’s next phone will use its Lightning charging port as the conduit through which music will flow. The company will also throw in a small plastic dongle to convert regular headphones into something that will fit into the Lightning port.
Many have argued that Apple’s goal is to save space inside the iPhone for newer technologies, as well as convince customers that it might be worth spending $159 on the company’s new wireless AirPod headphones. Whatever you think of these motives, one question remains: How do you charge your phone and listen to music with wired headphones at the same time?
As it stands, you won’t be able to. If you’re listening to music with the headphones Apple supplies, the Lightning port will be occupied, meaning you can’t plug in the charging cable. But accessories manufacturer Belkin has a solution: A $39 adapter that allows headphones and a charging cable to be plugged into the headphone jack at the same time.
It’s not exactly an elegant solution, but it’ll work. Otherwise, there’s also an Apple solution: buy one of the company’s new $49 Lightning docks. Unlike Apple’s newest phones, they have a headphone jack.