It has been quite a long journey for the headphone jack in the smartphone space, and Samsung has finally decided to retire it. The last Note device with it was the Note 9 in 2018, the last S series device was the iconic S10/S10+, and the last A series mid-range device was the A52 5G back in 2021.
Where did all this start? Well, Apple set the trend by eliminating the headphone jack with the iPhone 7 in 2016, and other manufacturers soon followed. Why? Apple, known for its streamlined designs, was seeking innovation, better water protection, and what they claimed was an “Enhanced Audio Experience” delivered through the Lightning port, as opposed to the long-standing 3.5mm jack. Now, the entire face of the A series has changed, with Samsung’s best-selling device, the A1_ series, no longer featuring the headphone jack.
What was the significance of the 3.5mm headphone jack? With it, you could use your earphones as an antenna for your radio application and enjoy music and sounds with zero latency, unlike Bluetooth alternatives. Manufacturers removed the jack primarily to make their devices compliant with IP ratings for dust and water protection, as well as to promote the sale of additional accessories like Bluetooth earphones.
It was a good run for the A1_ series, but all of this has led to the Galaxy A16 5G, the last major A series device to ship without the headphone port. It will come with an IP54 rating, a feature that competitors in the same price bracket have offered for some time. The A06, however, will still have the port, though it’s evident it will be phased out soon. Now, users face the challenge of choosing between USB-C earphones or wireless earbuds.
Final Thoughts: This is a reasonable move. If you’re sacrificing the headphone jack for an IP rating, it’s one of the more forgivable compromises, especially considering that other brands removed it earlier without offering ingress protection.
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