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The best phones with a headphone jack
Trends are made for bucking, and no trend needs to disappear faster than removing the headphone jack. We see so many headlines about phones losing their 3.5mm jacks these days. There is no need to fret; many great Android phones with headphone jacks still exist. Here are the best ones.
The best phones with a headphone jack:
Editor’s note: As new devices launch, we will regularly update this list of the best Android phones with a headphone jack.
Sony Xperia 1 V
Finding a phone with a headphone jack is already hard enough. Coming across a good high-end one is even more complicated. This is what makes the Sony Xperia 1 V such a special phone.
The Xperia 1 V comes with all the great benefits of a modern high-end device. The construction and nice, while minimalist, design. You’ll also get premium performance, as it launched with some of the latest and greatest internals. It also has a great camera system, even if it doesn’t beat some of the flagships from Apple, Samsung, or Google. We still love its advanced manual controls, super-fast autofocus, and other video features.
Battery life is also great. We were able to make a full charge last over a day with heavy use, and up to two days when using it lightly. Overall, this is definitely one of the best phones with a headphone jack, as well as one of the top contenders overall.
We had a few complaints in our Xperia 1 V review, though. Mainly, we wish there was an update promise, and the charging is pretty mediocre at 30W. This wouldn’t be so bad if the phone wasn’t so expensive, starting at $1,399.99.
We know that price is a bit hard to swallow. Thankfully, Sony has another great device with a 3.5mm headset jack. The Xperia 5 V (£849 at Amazon) has a $999.99 MSRP. Still expensive, but it is a very capable device. Check out our Sony Xperia 5 V review to learn more about it.
Xperia 1 V specs:
- Display: 6.5-inch, 4K
- Chipset: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
- RAM: 12GB
- Storage: 256/512GB
- Cameras: 48, 12, and 12MP
- Front camera: 12MP
- Battery: 5,000mAh
- Software: Android 13
ASUS ROG Phone 7 and ROG Phone 7 Ultimate
If you’re looking for one of the best gaming phones, it’s hard to beat the ASUS ROG Phone 7 series. This includes the ASUS ROG Phone 7 and ROG Phone 7 Ultimate.
All things considered, both devices are very similar. They both feature a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, a nice 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a 165Hz refresh rate, an identical triple-camera system, and a large 6,000mAh battery with 65W charging. They also offer plenty of RAM; the ROG Phone 7 offers your pick between 12GB and 16GB, while the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate is available with 16GB. Of course, all these great specs make these some of the best phones with a headphone jack.
There are some slight differences to keep in mind, though. The Ultimate version has a 2-inch screen in the back for added flare, as well as an integrated active fan. Both also offer pressure-sensitive zones that act as shoulder triggers. And ASUS offers some great accessories for those who want to game.
ROG Phone 7 specs:
- Display: 6.78-inch, Full HD+
- SoC: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
- RAM: 12/16GB
- Storage: 256/512GB
- Cameras: 50, 13, and 5MP
- Front camera: 32MP
- Battery: 6,000mAh
- Software: Android 13
ROG Phone 7 Ultimate specs:
- Display: 6.78-inch, Full HD+
- SoC: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 512GB
- Cameras: 50, 13, and 5MP
- Front camera: 32MP
- Battery: 6,000mAh
- Software: Android 13
Samsung Galaxy A14 5G
If you want a good affordable handset that’s also one of the best phones with a headphone jack, the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G is definitely up there. We aren’t fans of the construction, and charging could be faster, but otherwise, it’s actually a pretty awesome device.
The primary camera is solid, and you get a very nice display for what you pay. Additionally, performance is pretty good, and you get to enjoy Samsung’s leading update commitment (two Android versions and four years of security patches).
The best part? This phone is only $199.99. You will be very hard-pressed to find a better deal at this price range.
Galaxy A14 5G specs:
- Display: 6.6-inch, Full HD+
- SoC: Exynos 1330
- RAM: 4/6/8GB
- Storage: 64/128GB
- Cameras: 50, 2, and 2MP
- Front camera: 13MP
- Battery: 5,000mAh
- Software: Android 13
Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023)
The Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) is another great device if you’re looking for one of the best phones with a headphone jack on a budget. Its MSRP sits very comfortably at $399.99, but we often see it discounted to about $250. And the phone is pretty enticing if you can live with a few downsides.
We had a pretty good experience with it during our Moto G Stylus 5G review. Our only complaints were regarding the single major OS update promise, lackluster camera system, and bloatware. That said, the device still offers a nice design, a sharp 1080p screen with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, and decent performance. Not to mention, you also get the added functionality of an included stylus.
The addition of a 3.5mm headset jack is very much welcomed.
Moto G Stylus 5g specs:
- Display: 6.6-inch, FHD+
- SoC: Snapdragon 6 Gen 1
- RAM: 6GB
- Storage: 256GB
- Cameras: 50 and 8MP
- Front camera: 16MP
- Battery: 5,000mAh
- Software: Android 13
ASUS Zenfone 10
Here’s another excellent value proposition coming from ASUS. The ASUS ZenFone 10 has a starting MSRP of $699, but it competes with some phones that cost well over $1,000. It’s a different kind of high-end phone, though.
For starters, this is a smaller device, featuring a 5.92-inch display. While small, the display is pretty impressive, though, featuring a 144Hz refresh rate and gorgeous Super AMOLED panel. Not to mention, some prefer smaller devices.
The device is also a great performer, thanks to its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor and 8-16GB of RAM. And we were also able to get a full day out of its battery, which is great for a phone this size.
Our only complaints in our ZenFone 10 review were that the phone gets hot, and it has no telephoto camera. We also wish the update commitment was improved, as ASUS only promises two major Android updates and four years of security updates. Otherwise, it is definitely one of the best phones with a headphone jack.
Zenfone 10 specs:
- Display: 5.92-inch, Full HD+
- SoC: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
- RAM: 8/16GB
- Storage: 128/256/512GB
- Cameras: 50 and 13MP
- Front camera: 32MP
- Battery: 4,300mAh
- Software: Android 13
Google Pixel 5a
The Google Pixel 5a is no powerhouse, which was precisely the point. The device followed a line-up of premium budget devices that offer the best bang per buck possible, and this is no exception to the rule.
The handset’s performance is good enough that most users won’t encounter any slow-downs, but the spec sheet keeps the price reasonable. More importantly, it retains a 3.5mm audio port, making it one of the best phones with a headphone jack. The phone is also great for photography. It has a class-leading camera that can beat many super-expensive flagship models. It also comes with a clean stock Android experience and timely updates.
All that said, the Pixel 5a is pretty old now. It was launched back in 2021. It’s still the latest Google phone to come with a headphone jack, which is why we’re keeping it on this list. If you want a Pixel with a headphone jack, this is the best one.
Pixel 5a specs:
- Display: 6.34-inch, Full HD+
- SoC: Snapdragon 765G
- RAM: 6GB
- Storage: 128GB
- Camera: 12.2 and 16MP
- Front camera: 8MP
- Battery: 4,680mAh
- Software: Android 11
FAQs
Headphone jacks are very convenient for wired headset users. Wired headphones are often much more affordable, and the more expensive ones tend to offer improved quality. At the very least, it’s always nice to have the option to use one. All that said, wired headphones are becoming much less common in the modern age. Many of us no longer bother getting wired headphones, as Bluetooth connectivity is reliable and convenient. Not to mention wireless headphones have become quite accessible.
Like everything regarding technology, the industry needs to evolve to newer alternatives. The headphone jack is becoming a less needed feature, and adding a 3.5mm headset jack costs manufacturers a bit more. They also take space, which is crucial in smartphones. These are already very small and packed with hardware. We can only assume headphone jacks will continue to become rarer.
Technically, yes, you can. There are USB-C to 3.5mm headphone jack converters, and you can use them to add a headphone jack to a phone with USB-C. The problem is that these dongles often come with compatibility issues and don’t work with every single device out there. Some phones come with one in the box, ensuring compatibility. Try to make sure your phone is compatible with a dongle if you’re getting it from a third-party company, though.
Phones with headphone jacks are great, but those who want to take their music-listening experience to the next level should also consider getting one of the best current MP3 players. Most of them still have a headphone jack, and they tend to provide an improved listening experience for audiophiles.