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?
Downsides of usb-c headphones:
Bluetooth security risk surface, exposes your phone to more attacks. (Nobody has mentioned this yet)
Most/all phones have a single usb-c port. Charging and using headphones difficult
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.
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.
This is a good example of the general enshitificstion of a service. Make part of the experience worse to drive sales or engagement with another part of the service. Just like Reddit, just like Twitter… It’s user hostile. It means the marketplace is failing
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.
Loved my Pixel 5a until it died randomly over night a few weeks ago
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.
It’s the last pixel with headphones. Last of the line.
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.
So you put you phone upside down in pocket?
You don’t? When you hold a phone and then put it in your pocket it will naturally be going in top first.
Nope i don’t. When my hand goes down, i kind of like hold phone in the middle with two fingers and it will stay upright when i put the phone into pockets. Plus i know many people dping this
Nope i don’t. When my hand goes down, i kind of like hold phone in the middle with two fingers and it will stay upright when i put the phone into pockets
Right, fair enough. For me, and I would assume most people, we hold our phones upright when using them, and then put them down in our pocket without re-arranging the phone in our hand, ending up with the phone top down and with the screen against our body.
Btw i don’t rearrage it much it kinda comes automatically i wanna show you some kind of animation lol. Its like the phone stays upright when going from hand to pocket
how is using bluetooth headset making it more complicated…
All other points are valid.
Bluetooth complication over a wired headset:
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!!!
except most device stop any media when the headphones are disconeted.