Consumer Reports: Smartphones Eliminating Charging Ports, Headphone Jacks, Speakers

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- The Internet is abuzz with rumors that Apple plans to do away with the headphone jack on its next iPhone.

Consumer Reports says don't worry; we may soon see phones with no ports or jacks at all.

That will make it possible for smartphones to be even slimmer, thinner, and better able to resist damage from moisture, dust, and other debris.

There is already a growing selection of affordable, high-quality Bluetooth headphones that wirelessly connect to your phone.

Consumer Reports recommends the Bluetooth JBL by Harman for $50 and the Shadow Wireless from SOL Republic for $100.

What about no speaker holes? That technology is already on the Sharp Aquos Crystal and several models from Kyocera. It uses your face as a conductor.

You don't need speaker holes because on those phones, the display vibrates, and those vibrations are interpreted as sound by your ear.

Although it's not very common yet, Consumer Reports tests show that the technology works well.

You also don't really need a charging port because there's already wireless charging.

You just put your phone on a mat when it needs some juice. Wireless charging is available on phones such as the Samsung Galaxy S6 and the Motorola Droid Turbo2.

But without a charging port, how do you connect your phone to your computer to update your music library?

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Consumer Reports says you have lots of options. You can sync your music over Wi-Fi. And there are a ton of streaming services.

Some streaming options are free and others cost as little as $8 to $10 per month.

For more information from Consumer Reports on electronics, visit their website here.

Complete Ratings and recommendations on all kinds of products, including appliances, cars & trucks, and electronic gear, are available on Consumer Reports' website. Subscribe to ConsumerReports.org.