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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.
Google Pixel 5a
The Google Pixel 5a is no powerhouse, which is precisely the point. The device follows 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
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 of 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
Sony Xperia 1 IV and Xperia 5 IV
Sony has made a name for itself in the mobile industry. Its Xperia 1 smartphones are powerful, elegant, and have competent cameras. The Sony Xperia 1 IV is no exception, and it’s also one of the best phones with a headphone jack.
Other features are stunning, too. You get powerful specs like a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, 12GB of RAM, up to 512GB of storage, a gorgeous 6.5-inch OLED screen with a 4K resolution, and a large 5,000 battery. Another great thing about the Sony Xperia 1 IV is its video recording capabilities. It can shoot 4K video at up to 120fps, and it has one of the best autofocus systems in smartphone systems. The only real downside is that it’s a mighty expensive phone.
If you’re looking to save a bit of money, the Sony Xperia 5 IV is another excellent option. It’s not exactly cheap, but the price is more reasonable, and the phone still offers a premium experience. It has an impressive battery life, a great design, and a stunning camera system.
There’s something to remember if you are considering one of these phones, though. Sony has already announced the Xperia 1 V. The only reason we didn’t replace the Xperia 1 IV with it is that it’s not exactly available yet; it will be released in July 2023. That said, you can already pre-order it.
Xperia 1 IV specs:
- Display: 6.5-inch, 4K
- Chipset: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
- RAM: 12GB
- Storage: 256/512GB
- Cameras: 12, 12, and 12MP + 3D ToF
- Front camera: 12MP
- Battery: 5,000mAh
- Software: Android 12
Xperia 5 IV specs:
- Display: 6.1-inch, Full HD+
- Chipset: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 128/256GB
- Cameras: 12, 12, and 12MP
- Front camera: 12MP
- Battery: 5,000mAh
- Software: Android 12
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
nubia REDMAGIC 8 Pro and 8 Pro Plus
The nubia RedMagic 8 Pro and 8 Pro Plus have turned many heads, primarily due to the devices’ excellent value proposition. These are among the most affordable Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 devices around, starting at just $649 for the base version of the REDMAGIC 8 Pro.
Don’t mistake this device for a slouch. The RedMagic 8 Pro comes with a 6.8 120Hz OLED display, as much as 16GB of RAM, up to 512GB of storage, a large 6,000mAh battery, and of course, a 3.5mm headphone jack.
And if you care for looks, this phone has them. You can tell it’s a gaming phone from a mile away.
REDMAGIC 8 Pro specs:
- Display: 6.8-inch, 1,116 x 2,480
- SoC: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
- RAM: 8/12/16GB
- Storage: 128/256/512GB
- Cameras: 50, 8, and 2MP
- Front camera: 8MP
- Battery: 6,000mAh
- Software: Android 13
REDMAGIC 8 Pro Plus specs:
- Display: 6.8-inch, 1,116 x 2,480
- SoC: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
- RAM: 12/16GB
- Storage: 256/512/1,024GB
- Cameras: 50, 8, and 2MP
- Front camera: 16MP
- Battery: 5,000mAh
- Software: Android 13
Motorola Moto G Stylus (2023)
There’s a new Motorola Moto G Stylus in the block, and it follows the same philosophy as its predecessors. This is an affordable handset with a stylus, and it also happens to be one of the best budget phones with a headphone jack.
Specs include a nice 6.5-inch 90Hz display, a MediaTek Helio G85, 4GB of RAM, and a 5,000mAh battery. It also has a couple of cameras. The main one has a 50MP sensor, and a second 2MP camera takes care of your macro photography needs.
Of course, the show’s star here is the stylus. You can use it to jot down notes, do some photo edits, and more. It has no 5G support, but you’ll save a lot of money on it.
Moto G Stylus (2023) specs:
- Display: 6.5-inch, HD+
- SoC: MediaTek Helio G85
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 64GB
- Cameras: 50 and 2MP
- Front camera: 8MP
- Battery: 5,000mAh
- Software: Android 13
ASUS Zenfone 9
The ASUS Zenfone series has created a reputation for itself as one of the best value brands in the market. The latest iteration isn’t as cheap as previous ones, but it’s still a terrific deal considering everything you get.
Aside from being one of the best phones with a headphone jack, the ASUS Zenfone 9 comes with excellent performance, gimbal-level image and video stabilization, outstanding audio, and overall powerful specs. We also love that it’s one of the few modern smartphones still offering a compact design.
There are some sacrifices to be made, though. The Zenfone 9 has no wireless charging, limited storage options, and only two years of updates.
Zenfone 9 specs:
- Display: 5.9-inch, Full HD+
- SoC: Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1
- RAM: 8/16GB
- Storage: 128/256GB
- Cameras: 50 and 12MP
- Front camera: 12MP
- Battery: 4,300mAh
- Software: Android 12
Xiaomi Black Shark 4
Gamers among you will also like the Black Shark 4. Aside from sporting a headphone jack, the device comes with powerful specs and unique features to help you step up your game. The most notable are the shoulder pad buttons, which retract into the phone when not in use.
You also get a stunning Super AMOLED display with a whopping 144Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ support. Other impressive specs include a Snapdragon 870, up to 12GB of RAM, and a good set of cameras.
Xiaomi has already launched the Black Shark 5 series, which is better in many ways. The sad part is that the newer devices no longer have a 3.5mm headset jack.
Black Shark 4 specs:
- Display: 6.67-inch, Full HD+
- SoC: Snapdragon 870
- RAM: 6/8/12GB
- Storage: 128/256GB
- Cameras: 48, 8, and 5MP
- Front camera: 20MP
- Battery: 4,500mAh
- Software: Android 11
OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite
You would be surprised at how much phone you can get for a little money these days. The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite has a £299 MSRP, and it’s one of the best phones with a headphone jack if you’re looking for value.
The device comes with features you would sometimes struggle to find, even in high-end devices. Some of them include a 6.72-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate, 8GB of RAM, a 5,000mAh battery with 67W charging, and a pretty capable 108MP main camera.
It also comes with a Snapdragon 695, which gracefully handles almost all casual tasks. And while it’s not directly available in the USA, you can easily find an imported one online.
Nord CE 3 Lite specs:
- Display: 6.72-inch, Full HD+
- SoC: Snapdragon 695
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 128/256GB
- Cameras: 108, 2, and 2MP
- Front camera: 16MP
- Battery: 5,000mAh
- Software: Android 13
POCO X5 Pro
The POCO X5 Pro offers exceptional value for the price. This phone has solid specs, including a Snapdragon 778G processor, up to 8GB of RAM, a nice 6.67-inch Full HD+ screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, and a sizeable 5,000mAh battery. Don’t worry; POCO added 67W wired charging to the mix, so you won’t have to spend long at an outlet. Oh, and of course, there’s the ever-reliable headphone jack onboard.
While performance is excellent, some sacrifices must be made in other areas. We wish the phone had better secondary cameras, an update commitment, and less bloatware overall. However, it nails the basics and shines among affordable devices.
POCO X5 Pro specs:
- Display: 6.67-inch, Full HD+
- SoC: Snapdragon 778G
- RAM: 6/8GB
- Storage: 128/256GB
- Cameras: 108, 8, and 2MP
- Front camera: 16MP
- Battery: 5,000mAh
- Software: Android 12
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 don’t bother getting wired headphones anymore, 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, which 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 out there, 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. These offer much more audio features and compatibility. This is especially important in a world where smartphones with a 3.5mm headphone jack are dying.