Extinction of headphone jacks is not here yet

While big brands are dropping 3.5mm jacks from the newest smartphone models, audiophiles and wire lovers can applaud their potential comeback.

Apple was the first to drop the headphone jack from its iPhone with the release of iPhone 7 in 2016. According to the company, getting rid of the jack freed up space inside the device for more or larger components.

Apple kicked off a trend, as rival smartphone manufacturers also started dropping the 3.5mm jack, leaving users to place their trust in wireless gadgets to listen to music.

Google dropped the headphone jack on its flagship Pixel series phones in 2022. "We ultimately decided that including a headphone jack detracted from core product specifications and didn't align with the Google ecosystem we are striving for," a Google representative told Business Insider.

Starting with the Galaxy A35 5G, Samsung removed the headphone jack from its A series. The company’s newest models, the Galaxy S24, S24 Plus, and S24 Ultra, also do not include it.

Not one jack, but two

Despite the trend to kill the jack, some brands are keeping it alive. Recently, Moondrop announced the launch of its first smartphone MIAD 01, a model that's definitely targeting audiophiles.

The model is going to be equipped with not only one, but two jacks – the standard 3.5mm headphone jack and 4.4mm audio output jack, renowned for its balanced output which helps drive high-impedance headphones.

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Moondrop is a smart audio equipment brand of the Chinese science and technology company Chengdu Shuiyueyu Technology Co. The brand is known for making headphones, earbuds, and dongle digital-to-analog converters (DAC).

The company hasn't clarified yet whether the phone will have two separate headphone jacks or if it will only feature the larger 4.4mm jack with a 3.5mm adapter included in the box.

The primary reasons why companies remove the headphone jack include saving space inside devices, making them waterproof, and reducing redundancy with the presence of USB-C and Lightning ports.

There has been discussion about the quality of the sound using wireless technology, as Bluetooth is compressed at the transmitter source and decompressed at the receiver point, potentially reducing the quality of sound.

While the different quality of sound might not be heard by every ear, the problem of charging a wireless gear might be a pain point for a wider audience.

Which phones in 2024 still have headphone jacks?

Not all brands are dropping headphone jacks in 2024. Chinese manufacturer Xiaomi is leaving the jack on its Poco C61 and Poco X6 Neo models launched in March this year. Asus Zenfone 11, Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro, Motorola Moto G64, Samsung Galaxy F15 and Samsung Galaxy M15 is also a go-to choice in 2024 for those looking where to plug a headphone wire.

The Sony Xperia series is also staying loyal to its reputation as being the best gadget for music. The newest model, the Sony Xperia 1 VI, which is launching on May 17th, 2024, is expected to arrive with a headphone jack, as did the previous Sony Xperia 1V released in 2023. Additionally, the model includes a stereo speaker amplifier, along with compatibility for Dolby Sound and 360 Reality Audio.

Some of the older models from 2023 equipped with a headphone jack are: