Don’t get me wrong. Apple removing audio jack was the biggest facepalm in smartphone history. And you can thank it for not being able to make an upgrade without sacrificing audio jack (and SD card too :/). But USB-C is getting standardized everywhere now (laptops, smartphones, etc.). What makes USB-C earphones not worth the switch?
Because it needs an extra dongle that isn’t free and most headphones use an ordinary audio jack.
Charging while listening.
And above all, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.
Exactly, most headphones that I like are wired with an ordinary audio jack. I don’t really feel inclined to get new headphones for a new phone, and a phone without an audio jack just makes things more difficult for me.
You don’t need new headphones though, just the usb-c adaptor, which you can leave permanently attached to the cable (if you only use them with your phone/laptop).
I don’t know, leaving the adapter awkwardly protruding permanently on my phone is just unsightly
I much prefer two ports.
Im not saying that a dedicated headphone jack wouldn’t be better, I’m just saying that dongles that support both exist.
I didn’t see that as one of the included accessories though. I shouldn’t have to pay more to access basic functionality.
I shouldn’t have to pay more to access basic functionality.
I fully agree. I’m not defending getting rid of headphone jacks, I’m just saying that workarounds that allow charging exist and luckily the 10 or so Euro/Dollars is not that bad.
And above all, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.
This is actually terrible logic and stifles innovation. The flip phone wasn’t broke…but now we have smart phones with screens.
Just a friendly reminder to folks to keep it civil and to reserve downvotes for things that are inappropriate, not disagreement! 🙂
Touchscreen fixes the problem of maximizing the screen on the device. How does removing a jack port fixes the audio problem?
Condenses the ports to one standard. Instead of an audio and a USB-C, you just have a USB-C. So now you can fit more/different stuff in the internals or streamline the device to make it slightly smaller or thinner. Far enough down the line when most everyone is on board, can remove support for it from the kernel, minimizing the code footprint, attack surface, and code maintenance.
Sure, it sucks now as we’re in the midst of it and people are resistant to change, but fast forward to when it’s universally adopted and accepted, it’ll be better.
There’s just exactly no upsides.
Among other things, a USB-C connector is less stable than a 3.5mm jack, and can twist the cable since the connector cannot spin.
Sure, it can do a lot of things, but there’s no reason to break an existing standard if the proposed successor is inherently worse.
I was looking for someone to mention the connection itself. To add to that the connector is a lot more delicate since it’s some 4024 pins vs 3 or 4.
AND if my one USB-C port wears out from use, now I need a whole ass new phone now as opposed to “oh damn, well the phone still works without headphones, I’ll suffer for a bit until I can comfortably replace it.”
This is actually something I had once considered too. It’s not that they want to downgrade the port itself, it’s also that they want to downgrade the AMOUNT of it. I went looking for phones with two ports (I was also curious about using a phone as a data bus) and I could literally find none.
This is why when it comes time to decide on a compromise, Bluetooth (and its audio issues) wins out versus anything with ports. Because it’s a solution that doesn’t throw away options with it.
Downsides of usb-c headphones:
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Bluetooth security risk surface, exposes your phone to more attacks. (Nobody has mentioned this yet)
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Most/all phones have a single usb-c port. Charging and using headphones difficult
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Usb-c port placement is awkwardly on bottom of phone while must headphone jacks are on top of the phone. Plugging in your headphones on the bottom of the phone with a dongle is awkward.
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The entire process of using a usb-c dongle or using Bluetooth headphones makes the entire system more complicated. KISS (keep it simple). The more complexity there is that can go wrong, the worse the experience. If I’m taking a important conference call, I want my audio to just work.
Not directly related: the whole point of removing the headphone jack was to sell airpods. First apple, then android, and even fair phone. Each time the jack is removed to push sales of the branded Bluetooth ear buds. It’s a user hostile move.
https://www.wired.co.uk/article/apple-airpods-success
The excuse may be to save money, Space, water rating, but the reason is increased sales.
I personally still use a pixel 5A which had a headphone jack only because it’s the B tier phone for markets where people are less likely to also buy the airpods.
I have a headphone jack and it’s on the bottom of my phone next to the USB?
Oh interesting. What model? How do you like the location? Ever use the headphones with your phone in your pocket?
Not the person you answered, but I have the same location. Samsung M51 (7000mAh battery ftw). I put my phone into my left front pocket facing downward anyway, since that’s the direction of my hand, so it’s natural, so the headphone jack faces the right direction. I like this location better than on the top side.
It’s a Motorola Moto 5G+ if I remember rightly. I realised a few years back that mobile phone tech had plateaued for what I need so I no longer bother with flagships, this one was sub £300, had SD Card and headphone support and NFC for payments so looked promising and I have no complaints. Ironically I don’t mind using Bluetooth earbuds so rarely use the port but I like to have the choice. My old man just picked a newer model of the same phone which seems to have all the same features and he’s happy.
Usb-c port placement is awkwardly on bottom of phone while must headphone jacks are on top of the phone. Plugging in your headphones on the bottom of the phone with a dongle is awkward.
Isn’t it more awkward to have the headphone jack on the top? If the jack is on the bottom it faces up when the phone is in a pocket.
Multiple phone scenarios where headphone on top is better. Using phone on a stand, using phone propped up on something, resting phone on your chest while watching something in bed.
If android let the screen rotate upside down I suppose i wouldn’t care about top or bottom anymore.
You don’t? When you hold a phone and then put it in your pocket it will naturally be going in top first.
I’ve really liked my pixel 5a as well. Always thought the Google phones had the perfect balance of features, design, and cost. I even got the pixel subscription when I got the 5a because I figured Google wouldn’t drop the ball. I get to upgrade to the latest pixel in 2 months and I think I’m gonna pass on pixel 7. Think I’m going to check out the Zenphone 10 because I really like the size and design.
how is using bluetooth headset making it more complicated…
All other points are valid.
Bluetooth complication over a wired headset:
- Battery charge levels
- Radio interference
- Bluetooth time sharing with other devices
- Bluetooth devices getting stolen by another device while in use (ever had two phones paired to one headset?)
- Bluetooth microphone audio quality levels are not great
I’M MINDING MY OWN BUSINESS CRANKIN MY HOG WHEN MY BT HEADPHONES DIE AND THE WHOLE HOUSE HEARS PORN BLARE OUT MY PHONE SPEAKERS.
I’M A PERSON WITH NEEDS TOO MOM! DEAL WITH IT!!!
- Damn I miss r/THE_PACK
- A delay between the time you turn it on and the time it connects. Sometimes they will not connect and you need to go to settings.
- When using headset with more than 1 device, it will connect to the wrong one. And the number of slots is limited.
- Anecdotal,but in a big airport if i kept my phone lower than chest-height, audio was choppy because of interference.
The devices that you describe are incompatible with a standard that has been mature for 50 years.
The 3.5mm jack is everywhere, it is the standard. USB C is incredibly recent.
Put it this way, if you were to walk into a store and pick up any given electronic product with audio output, would you expect it to have an audio jack, or a USB C connector?
In your drawer full of random electric cables, how many have 3.5mm plugs in them vs usb a, micro, mini, or some propriety plug? And how many could you plug into a device and just…work?
So why do you accept devices that don’t have this standard?? It is beyond me.
The 3.5mm jack is everywhere, it is the standard.
Just got a 1981 Sony EQ off eBay, made in Japan, all that! How the hell would I ever adapt USB-C?! I’ve got fittings in the drawer for all things 1/8", didn’t even research what I needed to get this thing integrated with my stereo. Also, it has another gold standard, the 3/4" jack! I can cobble something together for free. Oh! I can also roll my own 1/8" jacks and wiring, certainly can’t “create” a USB-C connector.
OP is stuck thinking digital applications. 1/8" is perfect for analog use cases. USB-C is excellent for charging and data transfer. Very different use cases.
(Disclaimer: I’m no sort of audiophile. Just and old guy with vintage gear, going with what works.)
I am not an audiophile or anything but for these oems a headphone jack inclusion is probably pennys and wired is just superior sound, it’s madness.
That said I use Bluetooth headphones mostly myself but that doesn’t change the fact its inferior sound, something extra to charge and can add quite a bit of lag when playing games or other media.
Its a step backwards just to make a few pennys profit on a hundreds of pounds device. I think everyone should have the option to choose what they prefer.
USB C dongles have potential to be higher quality than your built in-jack if quality is the main concern
Now tell me how many of them actually are. This is just OEMs trying to save literal pennies across 100s of devices by externalizing the cost of a cheap DAC to their customers.
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As people have mentioned, it’s not about saving $, it’s about saving space inside the device which is highly valuable
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Lots of dongles are quite high quality. Apples even sounds good, and Moondrop makes a higher-end audiophile one that’s better than basically any built-in jack. There’s a pretty big market for good USB C dongles (less so for Lightning).
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if you care a lot about audio quality, you might know that the companies always tried to save $$ but using pretty mediocre DAC’s internally
I have the official Apple Lightning-Aux for my AKG K361 and Grado SR60x. It has definitely adequate audio, no complaints.
I use the Apple USB C-Aux I use for when I use any headphones with my gaming PC (usually Koss Portapros). Also definitely adequate.
My impression with either one is - except for physical durability concerns, if either adapter can power what you’re plugging into it they’re awesome. If you need more power or physical controls or weird connection formats that’s where they start to not be great.
