[General question to the Android community] Have you given up on the audio jack, or do you still only buy devices that have it?

(Posting this here rather than !askandroid as it's a quite general question)

I had a look at the GSM Arena phone finder, and it the choice is getting smaller and smaller every year (only 43 phones from 2023, reviewed by the site, had a jack)

The remaining ones are mostly

  • Xiaomi Redmi
  • Zenfones
  • Sony
  • Samsung entry range

So, has everyone switched to Bluetooth / USB-C dongles, or are there still a few people holding to the jack until the very end?

anguo ,

I dont even know where my wired earphones are any more. I thought TWS earbuds were a silly gimmick until I first tried a pair, and i can honestly say they are revolutionary.

Jarix ,

TWS?

anguo ,

I believe it stands for "True wireless". Its how they call all Airpod-like earbuds.

WhipperSnapper ,
@WhipperSnapper@lemmy.ml avatar

On a related note, does anyone know of cases with a headphone jack built into it? It seems like an obvious thing to make, but I've only seen them mentioned for iPhone.

dandroid ,

I just own an adapter that has a headphone jack port and a charging port.

Canuck ,

I exclusively use phones with headphone jacks. Using GNU/Linux mobile more to get longer software security updates where needed/possible. All GNU/Linux native phones have headphone jacks.

Blaze OP ,
@Blaze@lemmy.zip avatar

Which phone do you use at the moment?

Canuck , (edited )

I have a Note9 I just did a battery & screen replacement on, a Key2 that had not been used until a year ago (so still has great battery life), and a newish Librem5. Most other phones, e.g. those mid-range Samsung's, or phones without headphone jacks feel like sidegrades rather than upgrades.

They're all 4G though; both Android model variants are unrootable, and of course behind on their security updates. Next phone would need to be 5G, and ideally allow longer security updates, or allow Mobian + Waydroid install. Maybe one of the Asus ones. Honestly wish Fairphone had kept it or brings it back; they're missing out on a big segment of customers that would be a good match.

To afford an out of carrier phone, just dipped down to a cheaper plan that still meets my needs.

lseif ,

as much as i like having a jack, i more value running grapheneos on a supported device :/

omxxi ,

yes, audio jack is an important differentiator for me when I'm buying new phone

Blaze OP ,
@Blaze@lemmy.zip avatar

Which phone do you use at the moment?

omxxi ,

Moto G23

Taako_Tuesday ,

I just got a Nothing phone 2, which doesnt have an audio jack. The only thing that's really changed for me is I had to buy an adaptor for the aux cable in my car

Acamon ,

I really don't care. I use Bluetooth headphones a lot and find them convienient, and I bought adapters for the two wired jacks I might use (some fancier wired headphones and a wired input for my hi-fi). Given wires are already a bit awkward I really don't feel it makes any difference to add a little adapter to the end. I guess if I was wanting to plug my phone into lots of random headphone jacks while put and about, and didn't want to carry an adapter, it would be an annoyance but it really doesn't bother me in the slightest.

WhipperSnapper ,
@WhipperSnapper@lemmy.ml avatar

The main thing for me is simply that the audio connector doesn't pull out nearly as easily as USB-c. Secondary is the fact that I prefer things that don't need to be charged.

I use wireless buds at work, but whenever I'm home, I prefer to use wired headphones. It's definitely a different strokes for different folks situation.

kugmo ,
@kugmo@sh.itjust.works avatar

I had to give up removable batteries in phones but I will never give up 3.5 mm.

Blaze OP ,
@Blaze@lemmy.zip avatar

Which phone do you use?

kugmo ,
@kugmo@sh.itjust.works avatar

Moto G7+, its old and wouldn't recommend seeking one out.

Blaze OP ,
@Blaze@lemmy.zip avatar

Thanks!

weew , (edited )

I tried to hold out, but for my current phone I prioritized camera quality over headphone jack. I definitely use the cameras more than the headphones.

With that being said, those two features are essentially mutually exclusive. Good cameras are a "flagship" feature, whereas lacking headphone jacks are also a flagship "feature."

The only exception is Sony, which unfortunately is very overpriced.

TheBest ,

Its definitely a nice to have feature. It didnt get regularly used because of wireless earbuds for me, but when I NEEDED it, it was always clutch. But I just keep a USB c dongle on my corded headphones now, its fine. Gets the job done.

Also for my wired IEMs, I use a wireless Bluetooth adapter. When I'm on the move I just need some noise not audiophile quality so its fine for me.

RinseDrizzle ,

Likely sound like cranky old man but I'll be catching phones with a jack as long as I can! Not mad about having the option for wireless, but I'm a bit of a purist.

Plus once in a blue moon I'll DJ without Wi-Fi and use the phone to pull up a tune I don't have in my physical storage. Much harder to do that without 3.5mm jack.

Blaze OP ,
@Blaze@lemmy.zip avatar

Which phone do you use?

RinseDrizzle ,

Still on a pretty old Galaxy 9, been putting off the upgrade forever. Not even sure what the cool kids are using these days. Need to hit that research phase a bit

helenslunch ,

I held out for a long time but, like you said, they're gone from almost every phone now.

Zenfone seems like a mostly-good phone but you're getting 2 years of software support, max. That's a huge dealbreaker.

I gave in when I traded in my Pixel 5 for a 7 about a year ago.

bss03 ,

Same switch point for me, roughly, going from a Pixel 4 with jack to a Pixel 7 without.

There are situations where I prefer BT earbuds over wired buds, and I haven't tried the adapters, yet, but I still long for a audio jack: it's a lot quicker to switch my buds from work laptop to personal phone when they are wired.

I will look for a audio jack when buying my next phone... maybe someone will have figured a way to "hack" one into a Fairphone body?

helenslunch ,

I held out for a long time but, like you said, they're gone from almost every phone now.

Zenfone seems like a mostly-good phone but you're getting 2 years of software support, max. That's a huge dealbreaker.

I gave in when I traded in my Pixel 5 for a 7 about a year ago.

root ,

Am using a Zenfone 8 with a jack. As for future upgrade, still unsure. My top priority would be the size - has to be the same or preferably smaller than the Zenfone, so that limits my potential options.

I was travelling recently and was fortunate to be able to watch a F1 race. The track had a FM broadcast of the commentary in English, and my Zenfone 8 with the built in FM tuner made itself very useful indeed, since the FM tuner only works with wired earphones.

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