Overview
- Jump To Details
OnePlus Nord N30 5G
Best Midrange Phone - Jump To Details
Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
Most Affordable Android Phone - Jump To Details
RedMagic 9 Pro
Most Affordable Gaming Phone - Jump To Details
Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro Edition
Best Gaming Phone - Jump To Details
Motorola Moto G Power 5G (2023)
Best Battery Life - Jump To Details
Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023)
Best for Stylus Lovers
If you or someone else in your household absolutely won't upgrade to a phone that doesn't have a 3.5mm jack for wired headphones, this story is for you.
The death of the headphone jack feels like one of the most consumer-hostile trends the smartphone industry has pushed in the last decade. But we can't stop it. Space is truly the final frontier inside a smartphone chassis, and removing the 3.5mm jack lets manufacturers stuff that space with more battery capacity, 5G antennas, or other necessities. It also lets them sell us profit-padding wireless earbuds. We love true wireless earphones, but, in some ways, they're awful: they're easy to lose and can take up more space in your pocket if they have a bulky charging case.
With that in mind, we've gathered the top modern phones that still have a 3.5mm headphone jack. We are not including every phone we've reviewed with a 3.5mm port, just the ones we recommend and that you can currently buy. Read on for our top picks, followed by what to consider during your search.
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Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
OnePlus Nord N30 5G
Best Midrange PhoneWhy We Picked It
OnePlus has a reputation for making sleek, affordable phones and the Nord N30 5G continues in that tradition. The handset offers long battery life, supports fast 50W wired charging, sports a pixel-dense 120Hz screen, and runs smoothly thanks to its Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 processor. It also has a 3.5mm headphone jack and a microSD card slot. Best of all, you can get it unlocked for use with many carriers.
Who It's For
If you're looking for an affordable, super-fast charging phone, the OnePlus Nord N30 is worth checking out.
Pros
- High-resolution camera
- Good performance
- 120Hz display
Cons
- Middling battery life
- No IP rating
Learn MoreOnePlus Nord N30 5G ReviewSamsung Galaxy A15 5G
Most Affordable Android PhoneWhy We Picked It
For $199, the Samsung Galaxy A15 5G is hard to beat. It's got a great screen, respectable battery life, a capable processor, and a clean design—all in addition to a 3.5mm headphone jack. Samsung also promises four OS upgrades, so you'll stay current for quite a while.
Who It's For
If you need an affordable Android phone that does it all and has a 3.5mm headphone jack, the Galaxy A15 5G is a worthy choice.
Pros
- Affordable
- Long battery life
- Competent cameras
- Excellent software upgrade policy
Cons
- No IP rating
- Plastic build
Learn MoreSamsung Galaxy A15 5G ReviewRedMagic 9 Pro
Most Affordable Gaming PhoneWhy We Picked It
The RedMagic 9 Pro gaming phone offers tons of power thanks to its Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, while various software enhancements ensure that you get the most possible playtime. The 6.8-inch display, with vivid colors and an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate, is another highlight. Gaming-focused phones like this are often the most capable devices to still include 3.5mm headphone jacks.
Who It's For
If you love gaming on Android, the RedMagic 9 Pro packs all the high-end features you could want and sells for a reasonable price.
Pros
- Top performance
- Customizable gaming software
- Fast charging (charger included)
- Long battery life
Cons
- Not waterproof
- Muddy speakers
- Limited software support
Learn MoreRedMagic 9 Pro ReviewAsus ROG Phone 8 Pro Edition
Best Gaming PhoneWhy We Picked It
The Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro Edition is one of the most powerful phones you can buy with a 3.5mm headphone jack. This is a gaming-focused phone that costs a pretty penny, but in return you get a powerful processor with advanced cooling tech, a fantastic screen, high-speed wireless connectivity, and solid cameras.
Who It's For
If you're a gamer who wants the most powerful phone with a 3.5mm headphone jack, this is the pick for you.
Pros
- Excellent performance
- Solid battery life
- Included accessory fan
- Competitive cameras
- Dustproof and waterproof
Cons
- Expensive
- No mmWave 5G
- Limited update policy
Learn MoreAsus ROG Phone 8 Pro Edition ReviewMotorola Moto G Power 5G (2023)
Best Battery LifeWhy We Picked It
The Moto G Power 5G's massive 5,000mAh battery lasted 13 hours and 35 minutes in our rundown tests, an impressive mark for a budget phone. We also like Motorola's relatively clean Android software experience and that the device supports C-band 5G on many major US carriers. Of course, the device has a headphone jack, too.
Who It's For
This is a top choice for customers who often worry about running out of battery life. Its 120Hz screen also makes for a smooth experience.
Pros
- Good battery life
- Solid performance
- Affordable
- Adequate main camera
Cons
- Weak secondary cameras
- No NFC
- Lacks IP rating
Learn MoreMotorola Moto G Power 5G (2023) ReviewMotorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023)
Best for Stylus LoversWhy We Picked It
Like a 3.5mm headphone jack, a built-in stylus is a niche feature that a small, but passionate, group of people can't live without. Right now, only a few US phones have styli that slot into the body of the phone, and the Moto G Stylus is one of them.
Who It's For
Artists and notetakers. Some people just think and work better with a pen in hand. Also: Those who prefer wired headphones.
Pros
- Includes stylus
- Big, bright display
- Solid performance
- Good battery life
Cons
- Only a 10W charger in the box
- Mediocre cameras
- Limited OS upgrades
Learn MoreMotorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) Review
Buying Guide: The Best Phones With a Headphone Jack
Why Have Most Phones Removed the Headphone Jack?
It has become difficult to find a flagship phone in the US with a headphone jack. The old 3.5mm plugs seem to be déclassé to high-end vendors, which want you to go wireless.
You have more choices in the sub-$400 segment, though. Manufacturers here seem to understand that buyers of affordable phones might not be willing or able to spend their money on wireless headphones. Google and Samsung have abandoned the plug in their midrange models, but Motorola, OnePlus, and others still sell handsets with a 3.5mm headphone jack.
You might notice that there aren't any iPhones in this roundup. iPhones haven't had 3.5mm jacks since 2016, and we don't recommend any phone that old any longer (mostly due to limited or ending software support). We think Apple's calculus for getting rid of the jack was a little different than Android phone makers. Instead of saving space for the battery, we suspect it was more about making money from its AirPods. But the effect was the same.
Can You Use USB-C Headphones on a Phone Without a Headphone Jack?
USB-C headphones exist, but they're hard to find. Samsung's AKG-branded models are still available if you shop around, for instance, and Apple has swapped its Lightning-equipped EarPods for USB-C-equipped ones.
Of course, you can also get a 3.5mm-to-USB-C adapter for your phone or a mobile-friendly digital-to-analog converter (DAC). Remember that if you plug something into the USB-C port, simultaneously listening to music and charging is only possible via a wireless charger. But compatibility is iffy.
If you've made peace with the wireless audio future, you can expand your search to include our favorite phones overall. You don't have to spend too much on wireless audio either; these are the best sub-$100 earbuds.
Dave LeClair and Sascha Segan contributed to this story.
