OnePlus 6T Abandons Headphone Jack After OnePlus Mocked The Trend Just Months Ago

Now, OnePlus will do the exact same thing with the upcoming OnePlus 6T. Just as the OnePlus 6 embraced the notch, the OnePlus 6T is joining the growing numbers of smartphones that are forcing customers to 1) use a dongle, 2) use USB-C headphone, or 3) go with wireless headphones. So, why the about-face?  

"Making a great phone doesn't mean putting every component available into the device," said Pei in an interview with TechRadar. He went on to add that the company's recently introduced Bullets Wireless headphones have been lauded and are opening peoples' minds to the possibility that wireless is the way to go with mobile audio. And not all is lost; OnePlus will provide a USB-C to 3.5mm dongle in the box and will make available a USB-C version of its Bullets V2 wired headphones.

"We're not doing it for the sake of doing it and because everyone else is. We believe now is the right time, as it'll benefit the majority of our users while keeping the downside low," Pei added. "We knew this was an option for a very long time, we were just waiting for the right time." 

While some may scoff at the idea of removing the 3.5mm headphone jack, OnePlus says that there are actually some benefits as well. In this case, the company was able to free up more space to add new features to the OnePlus 6T. As we've previously reported, the OnePlus 6T will have an in-display fingerprint reader, which is slowly being added to more flagship Android smartphones. In addition, Pei says that the OnePlus 6T will cram in a larger battery pack that will be "substantial enough for users to realize". For reference, the OnePlus 6 is fitted with a 3300 mAh battery.

So, what say you, HotHardware readers? Is OnePlus' decision to remove the headphone jack a deal breaker for you, or have you gotten over this "controversy" by now?