Someone in my household uses a 2017-era Samsung Galaxy Note 8. Yes, the phone is a five-year-old smartphone in Guy’s house, and it’s not because I’m frugal: It’s because the person in question absolutely won’t upgrade to a phone that doesn’t have a 3.5mm jack for wired headphones. If you or someone else in your household is in the same boat, this story is for you.
The death of the headphone jack is, to my mind, one of the most consumer-hostile trends by the smartphone industry over the past decade. But we can’t stop it. Space is really the ultimate frontier inside a smartphone chassis, and removing the 3.5mm jack lets manufacturers fill that space with more battery capacity or other necessities and all the profit-padding wireless earbuds we sell. I use true wireless earphones, but, in many ways, they’re terrible: They get lost easily, they can run out of battery, and they take up more space in your pocket with their bulky charging cases.
With that in mind, we’ve gathered the top phones you can buy that still have an actual 3.5mm headphone jack. Keep in mind that we’re not including every phone we reviewed with a 3.5mm port, only the ones we recommend. Read on for our top picks, followed by what to consider when shopping for a phone with a headphone jack.
Table of Contents
Recommended by our editors
Our 10 Top Picks
best camera quality
why we chose it
The Google Pixel 5a was the last phone from Google with a 5G headphone jack. In the world of mid-range Android, there’s nothing quite like the Pixel, in terms of smoothness, support, and camera quality. This phone provides the pure Google experience for many people, and the camera on this phone is easily as good as the cameras on the phone that cost twice as much.
The Pixel 5a may kick off the carrier’s official product lines with the recent introduction of the Pixel 6a, but there’s no headphone jack on the new Pixel. But when I say “discontinued”, you should only hear “discount”. Google wants to support the Pixel 5a 5G for at least a few more years.
Who is this?
This is our top pick for a phone with a headphone jack that won’t break the bank. Other phones may have better 5G, a zoom lens or a bigger screen. But the One Pixel won’t slow down and will continue to get excellent software and security support from Google.
Google Pixel 5a 5G . with Review
Best for Samsung loyalists
why we chose it
Samsung is one of the two major players in the US phone market and many people are familiar with the company’s devices from both a hardware and software perspective. The Galaxy A32 5G was one of the best selling phones last year. It’s an absolutely solid performer from the most popular Android manufacturer. If you’re comfortable with a Samsung phone and don’t want (or need) Verizon’s new C-band 5G (see the A52 5G below), it’s your default choice for a phone with a headphone jack.
Who is this?
Samsung owners who don’t want to learn a new way of doing things (and especially those with an aging Galaxy S) can jump on board with a 5G network and get many more years of software support with this handset. Huh.
Samsung Galaxy A32 5G Review
best battery life
why we chose it
Battery life is the biggest complaint when we survey smartphone users. So the good news is that the affordable Moto G Power has a huge battery. The 5,000mAh cell lasts for two to three days per charge. Motorola also always provides a relatively clean Android software experience. The phone also has a headphone jack.
Who is this?
It’s a top choice for AT&T or Verizon customers on a tight budget or who worry too much about the battery. Just keep in mind that this phone is 4G only and there are a slew of cool, cheap, and 5G-ready options out there for T-Mobile customers.
Motorola Moto G Power (222) Review
Best for Fast-Charging in Style
why we chose it
OnePlus has a long reputation for making sleek, affordable phones, and its Nord budget line has done well on T-Mobile. This model has longer battery life, supports faster charging than competing Samsung phones, sports a color AMOLED screen, and runs smoothly. Naturally, it also has a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Who is this?
If you’re looking for a budget option over T-Mobile and don’t care about getting a future version of Android (there’s not a lot of upgrade potential here), this phone has faster charging than Samsung’s A32. And have a better screen.
OnePlus Nord N20 Review
Best for Luminous Display
why we chose it
The eyes may be the window to the soul, but the screen is the window to the Internet. TCL is known for the best-priced screen TVs in America. The display of this midrange phone is a real standout. TCL 20 Pro also just looks like Really good, which I don’t want to discount. I wish it worked best on T-Mobile.
Who is this?
Do you subscribe to a T-Mobile or T-Mobile-derived carrier? And do you watch a lot of videos on your phone? Pair this handset with a good pair of 3.5mm wired headphones for a truly cinematic experience.
TCL 20 Pro 5G Review
Best for Stylus Lovers
why we chose it
Like the 3.5mm headphone jack, a built-in stylus is a distinctive feature a small, but passionate, group of people can’t live without. Right now, only a few US phones have that slot stylized in the phone’s body. The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is an option, but it lacks a headphone jack (and costs very of money). You can also opt for the TCL Stylus 5G, but we weren’t as impressed with the stylus feel of the device as we were with the Motorolas.
Who is this?
Artists and note takers. Few people think better than frustratingly tapping on a piece of glass with their finger and working with a pen in hand. Put on those 3.5mm wired headphones and sketch your masterpiece.
Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2022) Review
Best for Budget Buyers on T-Mobile
why we chose it
The OnePlus Nord N200 sports a responsive 90Hz display, mid-band T-Mobile 5G, and a headphone jack. But the real reason we picked this phone is that T-Mobile treats them like candy. The N200 has a better screen, faster processor, and better performance than other phones you are likely to get for free. Just make sure you don’t overpay.
Who is this?
You don’t have money. You need a new phone. Go ahead and plug those $7.99 Walgreens headphones into this bad boy.
OnePlus Nord N200 5G Review
Best for Verizon C-Band 5G Coverage
why we chose it
Of all the phones in this roundup, only the Galaxy A52 and Moto G Stylus 5G support Verizon’s new C-band 5G network. C-band is already driving the big difference in Verizon’s performance, often three times the speed where we saw it drive on our best mobile networks nationwide. Verizon is making it fast and recently added coverage in 30 new cities.
Who is this?
If you intend to use your phone as a Verizon hotspot, you’ll want C-band because it makes a noticeable difference. The A52 is perfect for Samsung brand loyalists who want to work remotely on their laptop (via Samsung DeX mode) and rock out with wired headphones.
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G Review
Best for absolute weirdos
why we chose it
This is a very fringe phone from a company that no longer makes phones and is completely different from anything else on the market. It folds into a “T” shape, has a built-in gimbal, is really thick and heavy, and likely won’t get much software support in the future. But LG is known for providing a quality audio experience through the 3.5mm headphone jack. This phone, in particular, supports mid-band 5G on Verizon and T-Mobile, as well as works well on AT&T’s 4G. And the best part is that you can still find the device at surprisingly reasonable prices from third party stores.
Who is this?
Something weird happens at every party.
LG Wing 5G Review
Best for no-compromise performance
why we chose it
All major US smartphone vendors have now abandoned the 3.5mm headphone jack on their flagship phones. And many high-end phones available abroad with a headphone jack will never sell here because they don’t have the proper certifications. On the other hand, the Asus ROG Phone 6 Pro, which will actually come stateside later this year, promises both top notch and a physical audio connector with a 15V Cirrus Logic amplifier for excellent wired headphone performance. With the iPhone 13 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, this phone can throw down, shock.
The Sony Xperia I IV could also fit into this category. We haven’t seen a US-compatible model of that phone yet, but Sony says that should come later this year. In general, the ROG focuses more on gaming performance, while the pricier (and smaller) Xperia I IV should appeal more to photographers and videographers.
Who is this?
The ROG Phone 6 and Sony Phone are both expensive and will not be available through the carrier. These handsets are for the uncompromising technorati. You know what you want, you don’t want to compromise, and you have deep pockets.
Asus ROG Phone 6 Pro Review
Why are phones removing the headphone jack?
It has become difficult to find a flagship phone with a headphone jack in the US. Older 3.5mm plugs seem to be declassified to high-end vendors who want you to go wireless. You’ll have to turn to obscure, expensive devices like the Asus ROG Phone 6 Pro gaming phone or Sony’s upcoming, super-expensive Xperia I IV to find the jack at the top of the market. You definitely pay extra for your niche tastes.
The Asus ROG Phone 6 Pro is the only flagship we’ve reviewed recently with a headphone jack. (credit: Dave LeClaire)
You have more headphone options in the sub-$450 segment than in the $500-plus market. Manufacturers here understand that buyers of affordable phones may not be willing or able to spend their money on true wireless earbuds – or they may prefer older designs that have more room for plugs. Both Google and Samsung recently abandoned the plug in their midrange models this year, but their 2021 devices still excel. Meanwhile, Motorola, OnePlus and TCL all still sell existing handsets with 3.5mm headphone jacks.
The Moto G Stylus (2022) has a headphone jack and a stylus. (credit: Dave LeClaire)
You may have noticed that there is no iPhone in this roundup. iPhones haven’t had a 3.5mm jack since 2016, and we don’t recommend any phones that are out of date (mostly due to limited or expired software support). I think Apple’s calculus for getting rid of the jack was a little different than Android phone manufacturers’ – instead of saving space for the battery, I suspect it’s the Lightning port for headphones to make money from the Made for iPhone licensing program. There was more about that and later, AirPods. But the effect remained the same.
Can you use USB-C headphones on a phone with a headphone jack?
USB-C headphones do exist, though they’re hard to find. I sometimes use the Razer Hammerhead USB-C earbuds (opens in a new window) or Samsung’s AKG-branded models (opens in a new window). You can also easily get a 3.5mm-to-USB adapter for your phone. But with something plugged into a USB-C port, you can’t charge your phone and listen to music as well. Again, there are some trade-offs to be made when using a phone with a headphone jack these days.
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