Addressing the criticism around abandoning the iconic 3.5mm audio jack, Apple has started selling an adapter that allows you to listen to audio through headphones and charge your iPhone at the same time. Los Angeles-based accessory maker Belkin has designed the US$35 iPhone adapter that goes on sale through Apple stores across the US and worldwide markets.
Called the Belkin 3.5mm Audio + Charge Rockstar, the new accessory is the second version in the series that is specifically designed to enable a separate audio port to iPhone 7 and later models. The first Rockstar variant debuted earlier in 2017 with two Lightning ports.
Compared with its previous variant, the new Belkin adapter is US$5 cheaper at a price of US$34.95 (approximately SG$48).
"Whether you want to charge in the car, on the go or at home, the adapter makes it possible to listen to 3.5mm audio and power your iPhone, simultaneously," reads the product description on Apple's online shop.
Also read: Apple's iPhone 8 Plus likely to repeat Samsung Galaxy Note 7 fiasco
The iPhone adapter has 12W pass-through charging support that you can leverage to power up your iPhone using a Lightning cable. Additionally, the available 3.5mm jack supports music playback of up to 48kHz along with 24-bit audio output. The accessory is touted to be case compatible and doesn't require you to remove the cover of your iPhone while charging or listening to audio.
Alongside your iPhone, you can use the adapter with any of the iPad or iPod touch models that are running iOS 10 or later. It is worth noting that the adapter does not work as an audio splitter, and its Lightning port can only be used for charging and syncing the data -- not for connecting Lightning headphones.
Accessory developments to fill in gaps
This is not the first time when Apple has attempted to fulfil user requirements through an accessory. The Cupertino company launched a smart battery case for the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus back in December 2015. Also, the Tim Cook-led team bundles a Lightning to 3.5mm headphone jack adapter with the iPhone 7 and 8 models.
