Possible Photo of 'iPad Mini' Dock Connector Flex Cable with Headphone Jack at Bottom - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

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

Popular Stories

ipad mini 7 blue

OLED iPad Mini: Release Date, Pricing, and What to Expect

Thursday May 14, 2026 5:08 am PDT by
According to the latest rumors, Apple is close to launching its next-generation iPad mini. So what should we expect from the successor to the iPad mini 7 that Apple released over a year ago? Read on to find out. Processor and Performance Apple is working on a next-generation version of the iPad mini (codename J510/J511) that features the A19 Pro chip, according to information found in code...
Apple Card iPhone 16 Pro Feature

Apple Card Promo to Offer Free AirPods Pro 3

Friday May 15, 2026 8:59 am PDT by
Starting as early as next week, customers who sign up for an Apple Card at Apple's retail stores in the U.S. will receive $249 cash back when they purchase AirPods Pro 3, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The promotion has yet to be officially announced by Apple, so exact terms and conditions are not available at this time. AirPods Pro 3 are priced at $249 in the U.S., so customers who...
Apple WWDC25 iOS 26 CarPlay Light mode 250609

Six Popular iPhone Apps Now Available on CarPlay

Thursday May 14, 2026 9:10 am PDT by
Apple's CarPlay system for accessing iPhone apps on a vehicle's dashboard screen has received six popular apps in recent weeks: ChatGPT, Perplexity, Grok, Google Meet, WhatsApp, and the indie artist streaming platform Audiomack. Make sure you have the latest version of each app and they will automatically appear on CarPlay. ChatGPT Starting with iOS 26.4, CarPlay supports voice-based...

Top Rated Comments

180 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
180 months ago
Maybe the headphone jack position has something to do with the adapter for the old dock connector.

Suggested by a blogger:

MacRumors content image


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
180 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
180 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
180 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...

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

Suggested by a blogger:

MacRumors content image
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)