It’s been nine years since Apple began phasing out the 3.5mm audio jack from its mobile devices. The iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, launched in 2016, were the first iPhones to rely solely on the Lightning port for audio. The move sparked controversy, but Apple stood firm on its vision of a wireless future—one driven by the success of its AirPods and the gradual retreat of wired EarPods.
After that, the iPad lineup followed the same trajectory. The final model to include a 3.5mm jack was the 2021 entry-level iPad. But curiously, even as Apple’s portable devices severed ties with the analog connector, every MacBook model—Pro and Air alike—has continued to include it. This consistency seems almost an anomaly, especially on the minimalist MacBook Air, which is otherwise known for its limited ports and reliance on USB-C hubs.
So, why has Apple preserved the humble headphone jack on the Mac while eliminating it everywhere else?
Designed for Professionals
Apple’s reasoning is simple: MacBooks are professional tools. For many creators, musicians, and producers, wired audio gear remains essential. This reality has shaped Apple’s design decisions for its computers.
Apple Fellow Phil Schiller, who served as Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing, addressed this very point in a 2016 interview with The Independent. He explained that while the company fully embraced wireless audio for casual listening, professional users depend on wired setups.
“If it was just about headphones then it doesn’t need to be there,” Schiller said. “We believe that wireless is a great solution for headphones. But many users have setups with studio monitors, amps, and other pro audio gear that do not have wireless solutions and need the 3.5mm jack.”
Though Schiller was referring specifically to the MacBook Pro, the same logic extends to the MacBook Air. The shift to Apple Silicon has blurred the lines between Apple’s notebook tiers, giving even the Air enough performance to handle serious creative workloads.
The Hidden Upgrades
Apple hasn’t just kept the headphone jack—it’s quietly made it more capable. Since 2021, every MacBook’s audio port has supported high-impedance headphones, allowing professionals to plug in studio-grade cans without the need for an external amplifier. That feature alone signals how seriously Apple takes the listening experience on the Mac.
In an ecosystem that relentlessly pushes wireless solutions, the enduring presence of the 3.5mm port on the Mac stands out. It’s a rare instance of Apple letting practicality win over minimalism—a quiet acknowledgment that for professionals, sometimes, the simplest connection still sounds best.
