[zyxley]

> just so you are dependent on yet another Apple product

The hardware requirements of a headphone jack put some very real limitations on phone design (waterproofing, interior space taken up by the digital -> analog hardware, etc).

Whether that was the driving cause or not is in the air, but "getting people to buy Lightning stuff" isn't the only reason to do it.

[untog]

Certainly not waterproofing, given that waterproof Android phones have had headphone jacks for a few years now.

[pearjuice]

The iPhone 7 is not waterproof but splash resistant at most. Xperia line is and it has a jack. Interior space? You noticed the camera bulge, right?

It is a fad they are pushing.