The Last Port Standing: Why Six Headphone‑Jack Phones Still Matter in 2026

If you feel like the last person who still cares about plugging in, you’re not imagining things—smartphone headphone jacks have been steadily disappearing for years. And yet, they refuse to die. WIRED’s latest guide highlights six current phones that keep the humble 3.5 mm alive. That list isn’t just a shopping resource; it’s a snapshot of where wired audio stands in 2026 and why a tiny, circular port still sparks big feelings.

Below, we add context and analysis around that roundup—how we got here, who should still go wired, what you gain (and give up), and how to shop smart if a jack is non-negotiable.

Background

A decade ago, the 3.5 mm jack was as standard as a charging port. The tide turned in 2016 when major flagships began dropping it—first for “bravery,” then for space, water resistance, bigger batteries, haptics, better cameras, and, let’s be honest, to sell wireless earbuds. Android makers followed. By the early 2020s, the jack lived on mostly in midrange handsets, gaming phones, and a handful of audio‑conscious flagships.

Here’s why the 3.5 mm mattered in the first place—and why it still does for many users:

• It’s analog, immediate, and universal. No pairing, no codecs, no batteries. It just works.
• Latency is effectively near-zero compared to Bluetooth, which still adds measurable delay—even the best wireless stacks can introduce tens of milliseconds.
• The phone’s built-in digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and amplifier drive your headphones directly, which can be great or merely adequate depending on the design.
• Inline controls and mics on CTIA headsets work without fuss. So do passive splitters, airplane adapters, and auxiliary inputs in cars, mixers, and recorders.

But the jack takes physical space, complicates ingress protection, and competes with the headphone business model. So most ultra‑thin flagships now forgo it. The result is a niche market: phones that keep the jack usually do so because their audience—gamers, creators, field workers, or budget buyers—values reliability and low‑latency audio more than marginal design gains.

What happened

WIRED just spotlighted six phones that still include a 3.5 mm port in 2026. The group spans a mix of categories—think a creator‑friendly flagship, a gaming‑centric model, a battery tank, a ruggedized work phone, a compact midranger, and a standout budget pick. Rather than repeat the list, let’s unpack what their continued existence tells us and what their testing implies for shoppers.

What these phones tend to have in common

• A visible 3.5 mm jack (often on the top edge) with CTIA wiring for headset mics.
• Respectable audio output from an integrated DAC/amp—enough for most IEMs and easy‑to‑drive over-ears.
• A design ethos that prioritizes utility: repairability, battery life, gaming thermals, or creator features (manual camera controls, pro audio options) over extreme thinness.
• In some cases, FM radio support when wired earbuds are used as an antenna.

What good testing looks like for headphone jacks

WIRED’s process emphasizes hands-on use, but you can infer common evaluation pillars used by audio reviewers:

• Output power and headroom: Measured as Vrms into different loads (e.g., 16, 32, 150, 300 ohms). More voltage means better performance with high‑impedance headphones; more current helps with low‑impedance planars.
• Noise floor and hiss: Sensitive IEMs reveal whether the amp is quiet at low volumes.
• Channel balance and crosstalk: Ensures stable imaging and minimal bleed between left/right.
• Total harmonic distortion plus noise (THD+N): Lower is cleaner; good designs keep distortion below audibility under typical loads.
• Latency checks: Wired playback is effectively instant; this is vital for gaming, music production, or lip‑sync‑sensitive video.
• Mic and control compatibility: Does the 3.5 mm handle TRRS headsets and inline remotes correctly? Are recording apps stable with wired mics?
• Ergonomics and durability: Port placement, case fit, and how well the jack tolerates frequent plug/unplug cycles.

The six archetypes you’ll often see on a 2026 shortlist

• Creator‑friendly flagship with a jack

  • Who it’s for: Videographers, musicians, journalists who rely on wired mics and monitors.
  • What to expect: Manual camera/audio controls, strong DAC implementation, proven CTIA headset support, and IP rating despite the port.

• Gaming‑centric performance phone

  • Who it’s for: Competitive players chasing minimal latency and consistent audio timing.
  • What to expect: High-refresh displays, big vapor chambers, gamer UI, and a 3.5 mm that just works with your favorite wired headset.

• Battery tank / endurance champ

  • Who it’s for: Travelers and field workers who want all‑day power and no‑nonsense wired audio.
  • What to expect: 5,000–6,000 mAh batteries (or more), conservative skins, and pragmatic features like FM radio.

• Rugged / field‑ready device

  • Who it’s for: Construction, outdoor, and emergency use where reliability beats minimalism.
  • What to expect: MIL‑STD drop claims, big bezels, glove‑friendly touch, programmable keys, and yes, a jack that tolerates grime.

• Compact midranger that punches up

  • Who it’s for: People who miss small phones and want wired earbuds without dongles.
  • What to expect: Lighter weight, mid‑tier chips, clean audio adequate for most IEMs, and sensible pricing.

• Budget pick for students and commuters

  • Who it’s for: Anyone who wants to plug in and save money.
  • What to expect: Surprising value, acceptable DACs, and fewer gotchas than bargain Bluetooth buds.

Why you might still want a jack in 2026

• Latency and sync: Wired is still the gold standard for rhythm‑critical gaming and music practice. Even modern wireless stacks can add 30–100+ ms of delay under real‑world conditions.
• Predictability: Wired mics and headsets work without pairing, battery anxiety, or interference.
• Power efficiency: No extra radio churning while you listen; your headphones don’t need charging.
• Audio quality with tough loads: Some jack‑equipped phones offer enough voltage for higher‑impedance headphones that many dongles and buds can’t drive well.
• Versatility: Aux inputs in rental cars, mixers at venues, IFB/monitoring in newsrooms—wired is still the lingua franca.

What you give up

• Design minimalism: Phones with jacks are often thicker, heavier, or less “sealed,” even if they carry an IP rating.
• Bleeding‑edge luxury: The absolute top‑end flagships rarely include jacks now, so you may trade a little camera or silicon novelty for practical audio.
• Amp limits: Many phones top out around 1 Vrms into 32 ohms (~31 mW). That’s fine for IEMs but light for some full‑size cans.
• Mechanical wear: Plugs and pockets equal stress. The best designs reinforce the port, but abuse will still win.

Key takeaways

• Headphone jacks are niche but intentional: If a maker kept it in 2026, it’s usually because buyers asked for it—gamers, creators, and pragmatic users.
• Real gains are about latency and reliability, not magic fidelity: A jack won’t automatically sound better. Implementation matters more than the presence of a hole.
• Testing beats spec sheets: Vrms under load, noise performance with sensitive IEMs, and crosstalk tell you more than “24‑bit/192 kHz” marketing.
• A good USB‑C dongle can rival or beat many phone jacks: If you must go jackless, a reputable dongle DAC can deliver outstanding sound. But it won’t fix wireless latency.
• Inline mic support is a quiet killer feature: Reporters, streamers, and students on calls appreciate TRRS headsets that “just work.”

What to watch next

• Bluetooth LE Audio’s steady maturation: LC3 is more robust than SBC, and multipoint is smoother. But consistent sub‑30 ms end‑to‑end latency in real life remains a high bar.
• “Lossless over the air” claims: Emerging codecs like aptX Lossless can be excellent, but they’re still link‑budget‑dependent and not a substitute for deterministic wired latency.
• USB‑C audio consolidation: Expect more phones to omit the jack but improve Class‑Compliant USB‑C audio and power delivery to support premium dongles without noise.
• Niche makers doubling down: Rugged, gaming, and creator‑centric handsets are most likely to keep 3.5 mm through 2027.
• Foldables and ultra‑thin designs: Don’t hold your breath; the mechanics and space constraints make jacks unlikely on those form factors.

How to shop (and test) smart in 2026

• Check measured output, not just “hi‑res” logos:
  • Look for at least ~1 Vrms into 32 ohms for IEMs and easy over‑ears; more is better. For 150–300‑ohm headphones, voltage headroom matters even more.
• Bring your own headphones to the store:
  • Sensitive IEMs reveal hiss; inefficient planars reveal weak amps.
• Confirm TRRS mic and inline remote support:
  • Most modern phones use CTIA wiring, but very old headsets (OMTP) need an adapter.
• Consider case compatibility:
  • Some thick or rigid cases can partially block the plug; try your L‑shaped or thick connectors.
• If you go dongle, choose wisely:
  • Look for reputable DACs with clean measurements, stable Android drivers, and enough power for your headphones. Keep a short, strain‑relieved cable.
• Mind your hearing:
  • Wired doesn’t mean safer by default. Use volume limits and EQ carefully; long sessions above ~85 dB can still damage hearing.

Frequently asked questions

Does a headphone jack automatically mean better sound?

Not automatically. Sound quality depends on the phone’s DAC/amp implementation. A modest jack can be outclassed by a good USB‑C dongle DAC. The jack’s biggest inherent advantages are zero‑pairing friction and negligible latency.

Is wired always lower latency than Bluetooth?

Yes in practice. Wired latency is effectively instantaneous for human perception. Bluetooth can be excellent (tens of milliseconds) but still adds delay that rhythm gamers and musicians notice.

Will a jack compromise water resistance?

Not necessarily. Some jack‑equipped phones carry IP ratings with internal seals. That said, deleting the port does simplify sealing, which is why ultra‑thin flagships often skip it.

Can I use my headset’s inline mic and remote?

If your headset uses CTIA wiring (most modern models do), it should work for calls and media controls. Very old OMTP headsets may need a cheap adapter.

Do jacks support spatial audio or head tracking?

Spatial processing can happen in software before the analog output, so yes, you can get virtualized surround over wired headphones. Head tracking typically requires additional sensors—in practice, that feature appears more often in wireless ecosystems.

Are balanced outputs (2.5 mm/4.4 mm) a thing on phones?

Rarely. A few niche devices or dongles offer balanced outputs, but most phones with jacks use standard 3.5 mm single‑ended. If you want balanced, a USB‑C dongle DAC/amp is the common route.

Will the jack ever make a mainstream comeback?

Unlikely. The industry momentum favors wireless and slimmer designs. Expect the jack to persist as a purposeful niche feature—not a universal standard.

Why WIRED’s 2026 roundup matters

A list of six good jack‑equipped phones in 2026 underscores two truths at once: the port is niche, and the niche is healthy. For people who create, compete, or simply prefer the certainty of a wire, there are still smart, modern options. The trick is to buy for implementation rather than ideology—measurements, real‑world latency, and mic support trump slogans. If you value those things, the last port standing remains worth seeking out.

Source & original reading: https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-headphone-jack-phones/