We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-29 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
If you want to turn a Lightning iPhone into a wired-headphone machine with full inline controls and a spare adapter in the box, choose SAMPOP Lightning; if you need open-ear sport headphones that hook over your ears and plug straight into USB-C, choose ASKUBSKU Open Ear Headphone.
• SAMPOP Lightning — biggest strength: a 48kHz/24-bit DAC chip plus full inline controls (play/pause, skip, volume, calls, Siri) for Lightning iPhones from the iPhone 7 era through the iPhone 14 line, sold as a 2-pack.
• SAMPOP Lightning — biggest trade-off: it is an adapter, not headphones. You supply the 3.5mm earphones, and on "Made for iPhone" Apple headsets the volume buttons are handled by the phone instead.
• ASKUBSKU Open Ear Headphone — biggest strength: a hook-style, non-in-ear open design with a built-in mic and in-line controls, made for running and gym sessions where you want to hear traffic and your surroundings.
• ASKUBSKU Open Ear Headphone — biggest trade-off: it is USB-C only, so it will not fit Lightning iPhones at all — it is aimed at iPhone 15/16/17-class phones, iPads, MacBooks and Samsung/Pixel devices.
• Who each pick is for: SAMPOP Lightning for anyone with a Lightning iPhone who already owns (or prefers) wired 3.5mm headphones; ASKUBSKU Open Ear Headphone for USB-C phone owners who want open-ear workout audio with a secure ear-hook fit.
The SAMPOP Lightning is a Lightning-to-3.5mm adapter, and it is a surprisingly feature-dense one. Inside is a 48kHz, 24-bit DAC chip, which is the part that converts the digital signal from your iPhone into analog audio for a standard 3.5mm plug. That matters if you have a favorite pair of wired headphones or earbuds and a newer iPhone with no headphone jack — this is the bridge that lets you keep using them.
What separates it from a generic dongle is the control story. The adapter keeps full headphone functionality: play/pause, track skip, volume, answer/reject calls, Siri activation and FaceTime audio, all from the inline remote on your headphones. It supports TRRS 3.5mm accessories, so headsets with a built-in mic work for calls. One honest caveat from the spec sheet: on Apple "Made for iPhone" headphones, everything works except volume, which you handle with the iPhone's side buttons instead. On most standard headphones, the full control set works.
Durability is where this one leans hard. SAMPOP says the adapter passed 15,000 plug/unplug and bend tests in the lab, which they frame as roughly 3x the durability of standard adapters — at five plug/unplug cycles a day, that works out to over five years of use. It is plug-and-play with no setup, and you get two adapters in the box, which is genuinely useful: one stays in your bag, one lives at your desk.
Who should skip it: anyone on a USB-C iPhone (15 or later) — this simply will not connect. Skip it too if you want headphones included; this is the adapter only.
ASKUBSKU Open Ear Headphone: Who It's For
The ASKUBSKU Open Ear Headphone takes the opposite approach: it is the headphone, not the adapter. It is a wired USB-C earphone with an ear-hook shape and an open-ear, non-in-ear design. That last part is the whole point. Because nothing seals into your ear canal, there is no pressure build-up and no ear fatigue on long wears, and you stay aware of your surroundings — traffic, gym announcements, a running partner — while audio plays.
The hook design is built for movement. ASKUBSKU positions these as sport earbuds for running, jogging and gym work, with ear loops that keep them from falling out during intense activity. If you have ever had a bud pop loose mid-sprint, that hook is the feature you are paying for. The open fit also means you are not fighting the "thump" of a sealed fit when you are moving.
Controls live on an in-line remote: adjust volume, change tracks, and answer calls without pulling out your phone — a hands-free setup that makes sense during a workout. There is a built-in mic for calls. Impedance is listed at 16 ohm, which is a low-impedance spec — the kind of load a phone's USB-C output drives easily without a separate amp. The enclosure is plastic, the color is white, and it ships with a protective case.
Connectivity is USB-C only. The compatibility list is broad and modern: iPhone 17/16/15 series and 16e, iPad 10th gen and iPad Pro/Mini/Air models, MacBook and MacBook Pro/Air, plus a long list of Samsung Galaxy S and A series phones and Pixel devices. It is explicitly not a Lightning product.
Who should skip it: Lightning iPhone owners, and anyone who wants isolation from background noise — the open design deliberately lets the world in.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for keeping wired 3.5mm headphones on an older iPhone → SAMPOP Lightning. It is the only one of the two that connects to Lightning at all.
• Best for USB-C iPhone owners → ASKUBSKU Open Ear Headphone. iPhone 15, 16, 17 and 16e are on its compatibility list; the Lightning adapter is not an option there.
• Best for workouts and running → ASKUBSKU Open Ear Headphone. Ear hooks, non-in-ear fit, in-line controls and a mic are all aimed at training.
• Best for call quality flexibility → SAMPOP Lightning. It passes mic audio through and supports TRRS headsets; if you want to talk, pair it with a headset that has a mic.
• Best for long-term durability of the connector → SAMPOP Lightning. 15,000 plug/unplug and bend tests, with a 2-pack so you always have a backup.
• Best for situational awareness → ASKUBSKU Open Ear Headphone. The open design is the entire selling point.
• Best for a "buy once, done" package → ASKUBSKU Open Ear Headphone. Headphones, mic, controls and a case in one purchase; no third-party earbuds needed.
• Best for mixed older Apple devices → SAMPOP Lightning. It covers iPhone 7–14, several Lightning iPads and the iPod touch.
For a Lightning iPhone owner, I would buy the SAMPOP Lightning. In my opinion it solves a real problem — no headphone jack — with full inline controls, a capable DAC and a durability claim that backs up the 2-pack. If your phone is USB-C and you want open-ear audio for running, I would instead pick the ASKUBSKU Open Ear Headphone; its hook fit, mic and in-line controls are purpose-built for movement. Two different problems, two clean answers. Check the current price on Amazon for whichever one matches your port.
how to use wired headphones for iphone
If your iPhone has no headphone jack, you need either a Lightning adapter (for iPhone 7 through 14) or a USB-C connection (iPhone 15 and later). Plug your wired headphones into the adapter or the USB-C port, and audio routes automatically with no setup. The SAMPOP Lightning handles this for Lightning iPhones; the ASKUBSKU headphones plug directly into USB-C.
how to use wired headphones for iphone 15
The iPhone 15 uses USB-C, so a Lightning adapter will not fit. Use USB-C headphones like the ASKUBSKU Open Ear Headphone, which lists iPhone 15/15 Pro/15 Pro Max/15 Plus among its compatible devices. Plug in, and controls for volume, tracks and calls work through the in-line remote.
how to use wired headphones for iphone 16
iPhone 16 models are USB-C as well. The ASKUBSKU Open Ear Headphone lists iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max and 16e as compatible, so it connects directly. For a 3.5mm pair of headphones on a USB-C iPhone, you would need a USB-C-to-3.5mm adapter, which is a different product from the Lightning adapter here.
how to use headphones for iphone
Match the connector to your iPhone's port: Lightning for iPhone 7–14, USB-C for iPhone 15 and newer. Then decide whether you want headphones included (ASKUBSKU) or an adapter to reuse your existing 3.5mm gear (SAMPOP Lightning). Both support inline controls and calls, so either route gives you a hands-free setup.
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