More than 300,000 Apple fans have singed a petition urging the company against the removal of the headphone jack on the next iPhone model, which is set for release this autumn.  

Rumours have been swirling around the spec and build of the iPhone 7 for some time now. Online sources have suggested Apple will remove the 3.5mm port in an attempt to make the iPhone 7 thinner and more waterproof. This move will also allow more space for the battery. 

Different sources are speculating as to how the sound output will work. The Fast Company reported users will need to plug into the Lightning cable port while others suggest Apple will use wireless headphones.  

The Sum of Us is a website that fights "for people over profits". They are hosting the petition and say "Not only will this force iPhone users to dole out additional cash to replace their hi-fi headphones, it will singlehandedly create mountains of electronic waste that likely won't get recycled."

Complaints

While this move has not yet been confirmed, many Apple fans are already complaining online. Some say their expensive headphones will now be rendered useless, while others say if the company opts for the Lightning port they will not be able to listen to music whilst charging. 

As we await confirmation on the final spec and build of the iPhone 7, it's worth remembering that we all considered PCs without a floppy disk drive or new laptops without a disk drive risky and contemplated how we'd survive without them. 

As with everything, however, only time will tell how this one will play out.