Image: Sony
It’s been nearly five years since Apple removed the headphone jack from the iPhone. Yes, you can get excellent wireless earbuds these days, but maybe you prefer plugging in like the good old days, or you just don't want to charge your headphones.
The joy of the 3.5-mm headphone connector is that it’s one of the few truly universal standards left. You can use pretty much any pair of corded headphones—no need to worry about whether they’re Lightning or USB-C, or whether the connectivity will blip in and out. No batteries to charge, no dongles to attach. There are times when Bluetooth is preferable, but it’s also nice to at least have the option. After testing dozens of phones, these are the best with the venerable port. Read our Best Android Phones and Best Cheap Phones guides for more recommendations.
BEST OVERALL
Google Pixel 4A and Pixel 4A 5G
These two affordable Pixels from Google (9/10, WIRED Recommends) are our favorite phones at the moment. The Pixel 4A ($350) has everything most people need, from a class-leading camera to great performance, not to mention a headphone jack. The same is true of the Pixel 4A 5G ($500), which adds even better performance, a larger screen, 5G connectivity, and a few extra camera tricks, like the ability to shoot Portrait Night photos. Both models lack water resistance, wireless charging, and a MicroSD card slot, but if you don't need those perks, you'll be happy with either.
Note: The Pixel 4A 5G is tough to find in stock, and the standard Pixel 4A will be replaced as soon as this month by the Pixel 5A. If you don't need a new phone right now, try to wait.
BEST FOR A TIGHT BUDGET
Samsung Galaxy A32 5G
You'll be hardpressed to find a better sub-$300 phone than Samsung's Galaxy A32 5G (8/10, WIRED Recommends). Yep, it has a headphone jack, plus a MicroSD card slot, NFC for contactless payments, and robust 5G connectivity. Sure, it's sub-6 5G, the type that's just slightly faster than 4G LTE, but it also has support for the C-band spectrum that certain carriers will soon be using for improved 5G access.
This phone will also last around two days on a single charge, and its 90-Hz LCD screen is something of a rarity in this price range. It means your experience will feel slightly smoother, whether you're playing a game or just scrolling through Twitter. The main 48-MP camera is pretty good, even in low light, but the cherry on top is that you'll get a Pixel-beating four years of security updates with three OS upgrades. Way to raise the bar, Samsung.
A MIDRANGE PHONE WITH MORE PERKS
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G
The Pixel 4A 5G is increasingly going out of stock, but Samsung's Galaxy A52 5G is a great option to take its place. Performance isn't as smooth and its cameras aren't as impressive, but it manages to run most apps and games just fine, and it'll last more than a full day doing so. The headphone jack is joined by features missing on the Pixel, like a smooth 120-Hz screen refresh rate, better water resistance, a larger 6.5-inch AMOLED screen, and a MicroSD card slot so you can add more storage. You'll even get three Android OS upgrades and four years of security updates.
★ If You Really Want Wireless Charging: TCL's new 20 Pro 5G (which costs $500) has the same Snapdragon 750G processor as the A52 5G, but it runs a little smoother. It's one of the few phones in this price range with wireless charging. It's a glass sandwich, so it's more fragile, but it looks and feels great. The sacrifices? No speedy screen refresh rate, no IP-rated water resistance, and only two OS upgrades and two years of security updates.
FOR HI-FI SOUND
Asus ROG Phone 5
LG was one of the only manufacturers that kept the headphone jack in most of its phones over the past few years. Its V-series devices used quad digital-to-analog converters (DACs) for improved audio quality. Now that it has exited the mobile business, the mantle has been picked up by Asus' gaming phone, the ROG Phone 5 (7/10, WIRED Recommends). You'll need a pair of high-quality headphones to really get the most out of it, but if you're chasing the best analog listening experience, this is it.
It's a gaming phone, so yes, it's ostentatious, but you get some of the best performance available in an Android phone, great battery life, a 144-Hz screen for smooth gameplay, and even an extra USB-C port so your charging cable never gets in the way. You can map game controls to two extra touch-sensitive buttons on the edges of the phone for extra controls, too. It's not perfect though. It doesn't work on Verizon; there are missing features available on every $1,000 phone like water resistance; and the cameras are just OK. Asus also has a poor track record with Android updates. To some, it might be worth it for hi-fi audio.
FOR CINEPHILES AND CREATORS
Sony Xperia 1 III
The uber-expensive Xperia 1 III is way too much money to spend on a phone if all you want is a headphone jack. But it's just about the only phone around with a 4K OLED 120-Hz screen, which makes it fantastic for watching movies (as fantastic as a tiny phone screen can be). It has great-sounding front-facing stereo speakers, and a headphone jack when you want to plug in. Its camera system isn't quite the best, but it encourages you to tweak photo and video settings so you can have more control over the results. If you're a photo tinkerer, this is for you.
You can find pretty much any feature that's available in a high-end phone here, including wireless charging. However, 5G is limited to sub-6 5G (the slower kind), and it only works on Verizon and T-Mobile—sorry, AT&T subscribers. Unfortunately, the 4,500-mAh battery isn't a standout either. It lasts just a day, sometimes less if you use it a lot.
OTHER GOOD PHONES WITH A JACK
Honorable Mentions
Here are some other alternatives to consider if none of the phones above strike your fancy.
OnePlus Nord N10 5G for $300: The Galaxy A32 5G above one-ups the Nord N10 5G in almost every way. Notably, 5G access is restricted to just T-Mobile on the OnePlus. But if you prefer OnePlus' software and the brand in general over Samsung, it's a reliable droid.
Moto G Power 2021 for $230: If we had to pick one, the Moto G Power sits at the top of the list for its value. You get a solid camera system, three-day battery life, and decent performance. It doesn't have NFC for contactless payments and is only upgradable to Android 11, but it will receive two years of security updates.
TCL 20 SE for $190: The camera is poor, but you'll be able to run your favorite apps and games relatively well on this TCL. Just don't run too many things at once. It has the jack, NFC, and a MicroSD card slot, but it won't get any OS upgrades (just two years of security updates).
Nokia G20 for $200: Barely use your phone? Something like this Nokia will do the trick. It's a little slow, but the camera system beats the TCL above, and it'll receive two years of OS updates and three years of security updates. That means it has a higher chance of lasting longer with fewer kinks.
Asus Zenfone 8 for $630: Chasing after the smallest Android phone around with the headphone jack? That award goes to the Pixel 4A, but this Asus phone comes close with flagship performance. It has the same Snapdragon 888 processor as phones nearly twice its price. It also has a 120-Hz AMOLED screen and IP68 water resistance. It doesn't work on Verizon, and its cameras and battery life are just OK.
IF YOU LOST THE JACK
Dongle Life
Sorry iPhone owners. None of Apple's phones have a headphone jack, and that includes the iPhone SE from 2020. You'll have to make do with a headphone dongle. The options below should work. And if you have an Android phone that lacks the jack, we have a nice pair of USB-C earbuds we like.
For iPhone: Apple Lightning to 3.5-mm Adapter for $8. If you want to be safe and stick with Apple-branded cables, this simple adapter will let you quickly plug your cans into your iPhone. I recommend buying several because they're easy to lose.
For Other Phones: Google USB-C Earbuds for $23. If you have an Android phone without a headphone jack, try these USB-C earbuds from Google. They sound decent, and you can get Google Assistant to read out notifications when your phone is in your pocket. If you just want an adapter to use your own headphones, Apple has a USB-C to 3.5-mm adapter that should work.
Via Wired US
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