3.5mm is an audio source, USB is a data source. Any headphone with a USB plug also has to convert digital to audio, something your phone already does. USB is not a replacement by any means.

It very much depends on the pair of headphones and on the hardware of the phone.

My LG phone is a beast. Sure, it’s not quite the same audio power as a headphone amp would give, but the audio quality and convenience is fantastic.

It still degrades audio quality and that’s an area I refuse to compromise on.

The smartphone is not the expensive part of my mobile audio playback setup, I expect it to be compatible with the standard playback interface of wires.

My headphones (wired) cost more than a smartphone and I expect my handheld device to be compatible with them. I’ll rule out buying models based on this feature.

Really? They’re much better audio quality than bluetooth.

No, the need is still present. Headphone jacks are pretty essential still, wireless tech is not a replacement.

8,000 is the average annual total count, usually spread across ~3months (July, Aug, Sept). The 1,100 number quoted is currently burning today. As of August 17 the count (active and extinguished) so far this year was up to 5,765.

The size of fires is really the staggering figure with 13.75 million hectares (137,500 km² roughly the size of Arkansas or Greece) burned so far, while the average annual total burned area is usually only 2.1 million hectares.