Since the start of the year, speculations have been indicating that the Apple iPhone 7 and 7 Plus smartphones will not feature 3.5 mm headphone slots. New rumors suggest that instead of the earphone slot, Apple will add a secondary speaker to the iPhone 7.

According to a research carried out by two analysts from Barclays, Blayne Curtis and Christopher Hemmelgarn, the California company will add a new secondary speaker to replace the 3.5 mm audio jack, Apple Insider reported. The analysts have said that Cirrus Logic will provide a secondary amp for the additional speaker.

On the iPhone 6S, the 3.5 mm earphone jack is placed on the same edge where its single speaker is located. It means the new iPhone 7 will, for the first time, sport stereo speakers. Most Android smartphones that are currently available in the market feature stereo speakers.

Both analysts have also revealed that the rumored feature of inbuilt noise cancelation will not be available on the iPhone 7 models. The upcoming iPhone 7 smartphones will employ basic digital codec for audio. The noise cancelation feature is expected to arrive in iPhone 7s models that will release in 2017.

The rumor mill has consistently suggested that the iPhone 7 will carry support for earphones through the Lightning port. Hence, Apple is expected to include Lightning-equipped headphones in the package of next-generation iPhones. Rumors also indicate that the company will sell wireless Bluetooth headphones as optional accessory.

Apple is currently silent on the features of the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus smartphones. Speculations indicate that both the smartphones will come with water-resistant liquidmetal chassis. Mac Rumors also revealed that Japan Display, one of the display suppliers for Apple, will provide next-generation Pixel Eyes display that will allow users to touch the screen with wet hands and fingers.