I don't get why suddenly getting rid of the headphone is a thing. It really serves no purpose to remove it. Bluetooth headsets are coming along, no need to remove it to spur that along.
And what's gained from its removal? Don't say thinner phones because an iPod shuffle is much thinner then current phones and it has a 3.5mm headphone jack. Don't say bigger battery, Samsung has already fit a battery with almost 1,000mah battery more then the 6S Plus in a frame that's actually smaller with a headphone jack. Again, can't be waterproofing because waterproof phones with headphone jacks are currently available too.
I've been starting to think it's suddenly "a thing" because they've stalled out on things to do. The really exciting tech and bold new design language they are working on behind the scenes apparently isn't ready for prime time yet. By "they" I mean all of these manufacturers. I'm excited about Note 7 but that's only because I've never owned an Android phone with a pen before. Longtime Samsung users are declaring it a snooze, too. Samsung's foldable display won't be ready for another year, at least.
Apple is bringing nothing new and exciting to the table this year if the leaks are anything to go by. That's not to say camera and processor upgrades aren't welcome. The dual camera is very intriguing but they're limiting that to just one out of two or possibly three models. So take off the headphone jack and declare yourself a bold industry leader taking smartphone design in a new direction. Pfft.
I think it's annoying because it's not being done to advance a new design that requires the jack to be gone. It's the same damn chassis as we've been using the past couple of years, but now minus a feature many people still use. If you don't like it, use a dongle they say. Pfft.
I'm keeping my SE. Probably keeping my 6S Plus and getting a Note 7. All three will have headphone jacks because there's no reason not to.
The new Moto phones I will give a pass to because they're experimenting with this modular chassis concept. I know they didn't invent it but they're poised to make a go of it. I'm not familiar with the other phones listed, so can't comment on them yet.
As for Apple and Samsung, they can take them off and I won't be mad about it when they get back to me with exciting fabulous designs that would be ruined either aesthetically or functionally by having a little headphone jack carved into them. /full cynical grumpy mode