I'm just going to post here what I've written for my thread, since these forums don't need another thread. This is the draft of my view on the removal of the headphone jack.
I don’t even use the headphone jack anymore since I bought the Bullets Wireless, however, that’s not the point.
Apple started this because it can take this decision as Apple, others followed that decision and I don’t doubt the removal of the jack can make room for some improvements - battery it seems, with the OnePlus 6T.
The problem is, OnePlus is not Apple and the markets they need are very different. When you spend your days here, you can read users asking for FM Radio and IR Blaster and those users seem to be relying on technology that is “old”.
Another problem I have with this decision, is the PR crap the company is trying to spin. If you look at the rumors and leaks, it’s pretty obvious the OnePlus 6T is going to be “inspired” by the R17 or the R17 Pro. Well, guess what, the R17 Pro does not have a headphone jack.
Also, Carl mentioned a new tech and improved battery performance. The R17 Pro has two batteries and Super VOOC, something that’s probably be called Warp Charging.
Just because OnePlus is removing a feature I don’t use or care anymore, it doesn’t make it alright. I’m sure a lot of fans still love and use that port, I’m sure a lot of them don’t want to buy a pair of Wireless or USB-C Bullets. I’m sure a lot of them want to charge the phone and listen to something at the same time.
The sales are going to be great and yeah, the OnePlus 6T will be a great phone, sure. However, we live in a culture where the headphone jack is also a barometer to check what companies still care. For example, the Note 9 is crazy expensive, but in almost every review you can read or hear someone say “and Samsung still cares for its fans with the option to use the headphone jack”.
It’s an option, a loved one and one I can’t be so selfish about that I don’t care just because I don’t use anymore.
With this - especially with the OnePlus 6 and now the OnePlus 6T - OnePlus seems to be going after the flagships. Problem is that if your phone tries to go after what the flagships have in common, but lacking in other departments, well, maybe I’ll just pick a flagship and call it a day then.
And, ironically, when Xiaomi is going after OnePlus jugular in a key market like India, offering all they can with the Poco tagged with a lower price, OnePlus response is pissing off their user base there. I know the decision to remove the headphone jack was probably made before the Poco was announced, however, this just feeds into the “I’m done with OnePlus” thinking a lot of users were already ready to take.
This won’t change anything, however, for me is just another decision that shows that OnePlus is just a rebranded branch of BBK . Hmm, the whole community thing is more and more us talking to each other, it seems. If that’s the case, well, perhaps I’ll just continue to talk and buy the best Android smartphone I can.
Nowadays, it seems OnePlus cares about these voices as much as Google or Samsung do. Key difference is: their phones are better.
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