California: More than 300,000 people have signed a petition demanding Apple not to abandon the headphone socket from iPhone 7 due for release this autumn.
Online reports suggest Apple plans to omit the 3.5mm socket to make the iPhone 7 thinner and waterproof, with more room for battery. Instead, it would rely on the Lightning cable port, currently used for charging, for sound output.
Others suggest Apple will ship the iPhone 7 with wireless headphones.
SumOfUs, a website which organised the petition, said: "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."
Tech website The Verge said: "Removing headphone socket from phones is something that no-one is asking for and has serious drawbacks including poor compatibility and accessibility, and DRM (digital rights management) audio i.e. with built-in copyright enforcement."
Many complained on Twitter that removing the socket would make expensive headphones useless and also having to use the Lightning port would mean "no music while charging".
One tweeted: "I am OK with Apple removing the headphone socket as long as they bundle Lightning Ear Buds with the iPhone 7."
But not everyone is convinced that losing the jack is a bad idea.
John Gruber, writer of technology blog Daring Fireball made a point that losing the jack would make more room for a larger battery.
"Removing the analogue headphone jack is inevitable. This is what makes Apple different. They will initiate a painful transition for a long-term gain," he writes.
"In five years we'll look at analogue headphone jacks the way we look at all the other legacy ports we've abandoned."
Apple introduced support for headphones over its Lightning cable in 2014.
It was noted that a trademark application had been filed for the term "AirPods" in October last year.
And while Apple was not directly linked to these applications, the site said, "The pattern of filings is consistent with Apple's usual strategy".
If the rumours prove true, it will not be the first time Apple has abandoned what it sees as outdated technology.
