OnePlus CEO, Pete Lau has defended why the OnePlus 6T does not have a headphone jack. You are probably not going to like the reason why the device lacks the commonly used audio port.
Earlier, Carl Pei had claimed that including a bigger battery was the reason for this decision. But it could be a bald-faced lie, if the other co-founder’s words are true.
In an interview with CNET, Lau says that the in-display fingerprint scanner, which the company is calling the feature, Screen Unlock, is why the OnePlus 6T does not have a headphone jack. The fingerprint reader is located near the bottom of the device, taking up the room which may have been taken up by the headphone jack. Apparently, this is the reason why the device is 0.45mm thicker.
This does sound convincing, but we should remember that the Vivo Nex included both features, and is made by a company which is also owned by BBK, the parent company of OnePlus, Vivo, and OPPO. So, how did OnePlus arrive at this strange decision? Is the in-display fingerprint scanner needed at all? The device is going to have Face Unlock, a less-secure/gimmicky albeit fast unlocking feature. Besides, reports indicate that such scanners are a hit-and-miss, in terms of accuracy.
We already told you the real reason why the OnePlus 6T does not have a headphone jack. Because OnePlus makes wireless earbuds, and by not including the port on the device, they could ensure that the earbuds will sell in greater numbers, thus filling the company’s coffers.
Speaking of which, Pete Lau has hinted that the OnePlus6T will be more expensive than the OnePlus 6. The reason, is again the in-display fingerprint scanner, a technology which is apparently costly to implement. The OnePlus 6T might cost at least $20 or $21 more, which puts it at $550 (the OnePlus 6 costs $530). This constantly increasing price trend for OnePlus phones is another reason to worry about.
