Possible Photo of 'iPad Mini' Dock Connector Flex Cable with Headphone Jack at Bottom

Nowhereelse.fr shares [Google translation] a new photo of what it believes may be a flex cable component for the "iPad mini", housing Apple's smaller dock connector, the headphone jack, and the home button connector. The layout of the component is similar to that of a part said to be for the next-generation iPhone that surfaced back in May.

The report notes that Kyle Wiens of iFixit has offered his thoughts on the photo, with Wiens reporting that it is indeed consistent with being an Apple component but that he is unable to confirm its authenticity. The part does bear a close resemblance to the part claimed to be for the next-generation iPhone, and it also carries a part number in the style of Apple's other iOS device flex cable components.

ipad mini dock headphone
Possible iPad mini dock connector/headphone jack component with similar part from next iPhone shown for comparison

The most troublesome aspect of the part is the location of the headphone jack directly next to the dock connector. While evidence has accumulated suggesting that Apple will be moving the headphone jack to this location on the next-generation iPhone, case leaks, design drawings, and physical mockups have so far all suggested that the headphone jack will be located on the top edge of the iPad mini, as found on the full-size iPad.

Related Roundup: iPad mini
Buyer's Guide: iPad Mini (Don't Buy)
Related Forum: iPad

Top Rated Comments

portishead Avatar
152 months ago
I always put my iphone in my pocket upside down so I'm glad they're putting the headphone jack on the bottom.
Score: 33 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mad-B-One Avatar
152 months ago
Maybe the headphone jack position has something to do with the adapter for the old dock connector.

Suggested by a blogger:




PS: In before "This is not called iPhone 5" posts! :D

PPS: NOT in before (I know, you were joking): ;)
Blah blah double down on secrecy blah blah.

Blah, Steve would never have allowed this blah blah.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Stuipdboy1000 Avatar
152 months ago
Blah blah double down on secrecy blah blah.

Blah, Steve would never have allowed this blah blah.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Xenomorph Avatar
152 months ago
Blah blah double down on secrecy blah blah.

Blah, Steve would never have allowed this blah blah.

Steve's double-downing needs to be snappier!
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
lifeinhd Avatar
152 months ago
Do you mean iPad, or have you just completely been fooled into thinking the iPad came out in 2007?...
Erm, of course I mean iPad, why else would I specifically say iPad...?

EDIT: Perhaps you were referring to docking my iPad in my car? In which case I assure you I do dock my iPad in my car...

Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
faroZ06 Avatar
152 months ago
Maybe the headphone jack position has something to do with the adapter for the old dock connector.

Suggested by a blogger:

What that image suggests is that the analog audio cannot be transferred through the new Dock Connector alone! It requires the headphone jack output in addition to the new Dock Connector to go to the old Dock Connector. Either:

1. No more audio through the new Dock Connector. That would be terrible.
2. Digital "optical" audio through the new Dock Connector. Wouldn't that be a big improvement?
3. Still analog through new Dock Connector, but they decided to make it take the headphone jack too for some reason. Maybe just for physical stability?[COLOR="#808080"]
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Delta Feature

Delta Game Emulator Now Available From App Store on iPhone

Wednesday April 17, 2024 9:58 am PDT by
Game emulator apps have come and gone since Apple announced App Store support for them on April 5, but now popular game emulator Delta from developer Riley Testut is available for download. Testut is known as the developer behind GBA4iOS, an open-source emulator that was available for a brief time more than a decade ago. GBA4iOS led to Delta, an emulator that has been available outside of...
iOS NES Emulator Bimmy Feature

NES Emulator for iPhone and iPad Now Available on App Store [Removed]

Tuesday April 16, 2024 11:33 am PDT by
The first approved Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) emulator for the iPhone and iPad was made available on the App Store today following Apple's rule change. The emulator is called Bimmy, and it was developed by Tom Salvo. On the App Store, Bimmy is described as a tool for testing and playing public domain/"homebrew" games created for the NES, but the app allows you to load ROMs for any...
iPhone 15 Pro Action Button Translate

All iPhone 16 Models to Feature Action Button, But Usefulness Debated

Tuesday April 16, 2024 6:54 am PDT by
Last September, Apple's iPhone 15 Pro models debuted with a new customizable Action button, offering faster access to a handful of functions, as well as the ability to assign Shortcuts. Apple is poised to include the feature on all upcoming iPhone 16 models, so we asked iPhone 15 Pro users what their experience has been with the additional button so far. The Action button replaces the switch ...
maxresdefault

Hands-On With the New App Store Delta Game Emulator

Wednesday April 17, 2024 12:19 pm PDT by
A decade ago, developer Riley Testut released the GBA4iOS emulator for iOS, and since it was against the rules at the time, Apple put a stop to downloads. Emulators have been a violation of the App Store rules for years, but that changed on April 5 when Apple suddenly reversed course and said that it was allowing retro game emulators on the App Store. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel ...
iOS 18 Siri Integrated Feature

iOS 18 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Friday April 12, 2024 11:11 am PDT by
iOS 18 is expected to be the "biggest" update in the iPhone's history. Below, we recap rumored features and changes for the iPhone. iOS 18 is rumored to include new generative AI features for Siri and many apps, and Apple plans to add RCS support to the Messages app for an improved texting experience between iPhones and Android devices. The update is also expected to introduce a more...