I don't think almost anyone actually want a headphone jack anymore. Just the consumer reality in 2024. I do obviously, but it's clearly too rare for them to bother with.
Not who you are replying to but my $30 wired Apple earbuds (came with my 6S) have outlived all of my co-workers half dozen $160 AirPods. That’s reason enough for a lot of people.
You can buy Apples wired earbuds with the lightning connector for $18. Or the lightning to 3.5mm adapter (that’s what I have because I also still have my decade old original earbuds).
My wired Shure in ear monitors have much better sound quality, and battery management on AirPods is pretty annoying. Even when they’re not running out mid-trip, it’s just unnecessary mental overhead to keep another thing charged.
I don't daily drive my phone for commuting anymore, but the trade-offs aren't exactly new:
- battery frustrations
- cost of a dozen cheap but good quality headphones vs a wireless equivalent
- easier to lose wireless headsets when you put them down somewhere (wired too, but way cheaper so less big deal)
- audio quality? Who knows
For people that demand noise cancelling, you need an active power source, but I personally hate noise cancellation and always turn them off. Maybe valuable in a plane with lots of engine noise.
Yes people seem happy to buy not only new phones every couple of years but new accessory devices as well. I don't understand it but it's quite apparent.
I find it very practical with small Bluetooth earbuds, but I agree on the consumption aspect of it. I really don’t like that I can’t change the batteries in my AirPods. I would even be semi-okay with having to hand in them to a technician for battery exchange, for a reasonable cost. But the current battery exchange for airpods is just another name for buying new earbuds. And the third party solutions that actually change the batteries cost about as much as new buds.
I would find it so cumbersome to use a cable on a handheld device nowdays. But different things for different people! :)