iPhone 7, Charge, Listen, AND Talk?

The current Belkin RockStar ($40) absolutely supports charging while retaining full use of headphones and mics.

http://www.belkin.com/us/p/P-F8J198/

I suspect the reason there aren't very many high quality competing adaptors is that the market is simply too small for this use case, no matter how passionately some users feel about it. No money, no products.

In the meantime, Apple's AirPods continue to be backordered due to popularity, and for good reasons. For most listeners, Bluetooth headphones are the practical solution to this problem.

Belkin has a new RockStar. It has an audio port so that you don't need the adapter.

Belkin 3.5mm Audio + Charge Rockstar - Apple

You use the Belkin splitter. It should work with either the Belkin 3.5 mm adapter or the Apple 3.5 mm adapter.

smackafee wrote:

The lightning-to-lightning-and-3.5mm jack I believe are NOT able to provide mic support...

I've been using it for over a year and it absolutely DOES provide microphone support.

For me the Rockstar is the only solution. I use it in my car where headphones are frowned upon.

So, just to be clear, what you're describing is using the Belkin lightning-to-two-lightning splitter AND the lightning-to-3.5mm adaptor to make this work?

Thank you! So a couple of questions ... can you use your 3.5 to lightning adapter and your lightning charger at the same time and still talk? Or, can you only talk and charge using the lightning headset?

Any good Bluetooth headphones solve the issue, and the AirPods are an excellent example that works beautifully.

That said, yes, any Bluetooth headphones will need to be charged separately. Otherwise, the Belkin splitter is probably your best bet.

you can try Baseus, it's less costly than Belkin's and it works though i have not tested with controls yet. I can charge and talk/listen to music with the dongle.

Link here - Original 120mm Baseus L36 Dual 8 Pin 2.1A Fast Charging Audio Adapter for iPhone 7 / 7 Plus Support Remote Control/ Micr…

Using this dongle, you have to plug in your headset and charger to the dongle first then plug in the dongle with the charger and headset plugged in and it will work properly. Plugging in the dongle to the phone and then plugging in the headset later won't work.

Findecáno wrote:

you can try Baseus, it's less costly than Belkin's and it works though i have not tested with controls yet. I can charge and talk/listen to music with the dongle.

Link here - Original 120mm Baseus L36 Dual 8 Pin 2.1A Fast Charging Audio Adapter for iPhone 7 / 7 Plus Support Remote Control/ Micr…

Using this dongle, you have to plug in your headset and charger to the dongle first then plug in the dongle with the charger and headset plugged in and it will work properly. Plugging in the dongle to the phone and then plugging in the headset later won't work.

It also doesn't appear to be Made for iPhone Certified. In addition to the risks inherent in using any type of uncertified charging cable, there is a good chance that it will not be supported by additional versions of iOS. Not to mention that it sounds as if it already doesn't work very well.

Going cheap on charging cables or adapters is foolish.

Findecáno wrote:

well I've had it for a few months now... updated my iPhone 7+ twice and it works fyi

You're free to take whatever risks you wish with your iPhone and your money. But, I believe it's important to educate people on the risks.

So, Sir Eddie, I think the real answer here is that you have to be careful when you're shopping. I too have looked everywhere, and even tried a couple of options out, only to be disappointed. I think that, in order to use a headset (i.e. take calls) while charging, you have to use a lightning splitter, meaning a lightning-to-two-lightning adaptor.

Here's what I think is going on: The lightning-to-lightning-and-3.5mm jack I believe are NOT able to provide mic support because for whatever reason the power loop required to manage the mic hasn't been wired into the 3.5mm jack. So, it LOOKS like you can use those, but if you look at 100% of the pics and descriptions on Amazon or whatever, they all show audio-only. I think what I'm looking for is the three-divider plug, aka TRRS 3.5mm, aka headset jack, to appear in the picture and description of adaptor.

So, if you have an awesome 3.5mm-jack headset with mic, it's just a little bit annoying (okay, more than a little bit annoying) to set it up for use AND charging. Seems to me it's a huge opportunity for someone to fill this gap, assuming it's technically possible.

For now, I'm going to stop looking for this adaptor and I'm assuming that the dilemma hasn't been addressed. I don't think, with the onslaught of the Airpods they want people to buy, that Apple really has an incentive to fix this issue.

If someone has a link for an adaptor that they've personally used, please share it. We will /hug you for doing so.

Hi

Options include:

Belkin's Lightning Audio + Charge RockStar™ enables you to charge your iPhone whilst also listening to music via wired headphones and take calls. It supports use of:

• The supplied EarPods (or other headphones), with Lightning connector.
• Headphones with a 3.5mm jack, when connected via the Lightning to 3.5mm Headphone Jack Adapter (which is included with the iPhone).
• http://www.apple.com/shop/product/HKKP2ZM/A/belkin-lightning-audio-charge-rockst ar?fnode=97

iPhone Dock

• If you have headphones with a 3.5mm jack, you can charge your iPhone and listen to music at the same time.
• http://www.apple.com/shop/product/MNN62AM/A/iphone-lightning-dock-black?fnode=97

Other accessories may be / become available from Apple and/or third-party manufacturers.

When buying any accessory for your iPhone, ensure that it is either a genuine Apple product or that - like the Belkin product - it has been certified as Made for iPhone (MFi).

Did you ever get an answer to this. I can't believe how hard it is to find out the answer.

I have the same need!

Thanks,

David