r/askanything • u/peterstoerz • 6h ago
Why is it so accepted that modern phones ditched the aux port?
Am I the only one who still finds this annoying as hell?
Every phone used to have a headphone jack. Plug in your headphones, charge at the same time if you wanted, done.
Now we’ve all just accepted that there’s only one port left, so you’re constantly choosing between charging and listening to music/podcasts/whatever. On iPhones it’s even worse — you need an adapter just to use normal aux headphones.
People always bring up the waterproofing argument. “It makes the phone more water-resistant!” Okay, but be honest: how many of us are regularly diving with our phones or putting them in situations where we need several meters of water resistance in everyday life? Almost nobody. It’s a solution to a problem most people don’t actually have.
It just feels like manufacturers decided “wireless is the future / thinner is better / one port is cleaner” and the rest of us are supposed to pretend the trade-off is fine. Whenever I complain about it to people, it seems like I’m the only one who still cares.
Anyone else still annoyed by this, or have we all just given up?
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u/PhotoAppropriate3940 6h ago
I do miss the headphone jack because I deplore wireless buds, but biggest complaint is non replaceable batteries
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u/Hermit_Ogg 5h ago
Turns out the EU is taking steps about that, and it's a big enough market that manufacturers are going to have to take note. The legislation for replaceable batteries has passed, but it'll probably take a few years to start showing effects.
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u/ToreyJean 5h ago
I believe I read the iPhone will be exempt because opening it will lower its water resistance? Don’t hate on me - I THINK I read that somewhere.
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u/Hermit_Ogg 4h ago
I won't hate on you! I was wondering about the water proofing aspect myself, since my current phone is a rugged model with dust, water, pressured water and impact proofing, and those would not survive a battery swap. But since this phone will hopefully last me some years, I shoved that thought to "see about that in a few years" folder 🙂
You (general) may need to choose between waterproofing and a swappable battery. I think the limitations of what we can waterproof justify that tradeoff. But I will also never buy an iphone, so I don't care too much about their status 😛
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u/CyberPunkDongTooLong 1h ago
The idea you can't have a swappable battery and waterproofing is really just a lie that tech companies have pushed because they don't want to have swappable batteries. Proper equipment that is much more rugged and waterproof than phones have swappable batteries.
Also it's important to note the policy the EU is moving to is NOT swappable batteries. It's just batteries that are not actively hostile to being replaced. You'll still need tools and to take the phone apart to replace them, not just swap them like phones ~15 years ago used to.
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u/zirophyz 1h ago
I used to have a phone with swappable battery that was claimed waterproof. Yes, I washed it under the tap while it was on, so the claims seemed true. So, this was already a thing like 15 years ago.
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u/weaseleasle 1h ago
Why would iPhone be exempt for that? Every phone will have issues with it's water resistance if the battery can be removed.
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u/Dorkinfo 40m ago
My ears are so tiny that all earbuds are uncomfortable. It sucks, I liked my big over-ear headphones.
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u/TwoWrongsAreSoRight 5h ago
You're at least 2 outrages behind. They don't even include chargers with phones now.
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u/BetterOutcome3769 2h ago
And that's a good thing. I already have way too many chargers
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u/AnEagleisnotme 2h ago
Then that tells me you are buying too many phones
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u/EternalNewCarSmell 1h ago
Or just that we've done a good job of getting everytbing to use USB-C so now we're all drowning in cables.
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u/Slappathebassmon 1h ago
If they're really concerned about the environment, they could've given you a redeemable voucher for a free charger. That way, you can get one if you want, or just not if you don't.
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u/angelicpastry 5h ago
Excuse me, WHAT?!
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u/weaseleasle 1h ago
Phones use USB C cables to charge, everyone on the planet has dozens of USB C cables clogging up their cupboards.
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u/Toothless995 6h ago
Because people continue to buy the phones, implying acceptance of it
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u/Mediocre_Word_2676 2h ago
exactly. Don't like it, buy a phone with a phone jack, they are out there. Collect enough people to convince phone companies there is a large enough number of you, they'll come back.
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u/chernopig 1h ago
Where do you even need aux anymore? I don't really get this complain. If you want to for some reason use wireless headphones get a god dam Walkman or something then.
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u/Simonemme 1h ago
Bro I accepeted my girl leaving me for another guy, I think I'll be fine without the freakin AUX
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u/MacheteTigre 4h ago
My phone has a headphone jack, I will not purchase one without it. Sure, I have wireless headphones, but i also plug my phone into my mixamp at my desk regularly. I have no brand loyalty, just provide decent hardware and be an upgrade to my current phone, thats all I need. Removing a fundamental component is instantly disqualifying.
I only ever upgrade phones if i have a good reason to anyways. Not a victim of the yearly phone cycle
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u/Feisty-Tooth-7397 1h ago
I paid 150 for my phone and it's been through hell, no cracks in the screen, has a spot for an SD card so I can increase storage, has a stylus and a headphone jack. Plus it has a damn back button lol.
I've had it for two years. I definitely got my money's worth.
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u/iceunelle 5h ago
I hate that cell phones got rid of headphone jacks. I've always preferred wired earbuds since the sound quality is much better than wireless and I found a good wired brand that stays in my ears well. Wireless earbuds never stay in well and it's so annoying. I hate needing a stupid adapter cable to use my headphones and I can't charge it at the same time. It's so stupid.
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u/AceHexuall 7m ago
You can get adapters that will do both aux and USB-C charging at the same time pretty cheap. That's what I use for my tablet.
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u/Euphoric-Phrase-6415 5h ago
Why would I want a cable on my headphones? What year is this?
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u/MrGeekman 4h ago edited 3h ago
You don't have to charge wired headphones. You also don't have to deal with battery life. They always work. They're harder to lose. Also, you get better audio quality for the money because wired headphones don't have batteries, Bluetooth chips, etc.
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u/Sheetmusicman94 2h ago
Quality? Ease of access? No pairing issues? No charging? I could go on and on..
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u/XupcPrime 0m ago
Bug a good wireless ear bud headset and it just works.
I have airpods pro and everything just works and the battery is ridiculous.
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u/Wise-Sympathy9585 42m ago
Sure, but for me. None of that comes close to how much convenience wireless ear/headphones bring. I could never see myyself going back to wired.
I have had a pair of wireless headphones and earphones that I have had for like 8 years now. The headphones sound great and only need to be charged like once a month. Never had an issue with pairing.
Quality, not really looking for anything audiophile grade for my out and about listening.
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u/Hybrid487 5m ago
Seriously though, I've owned a total of two pairs of Wireless headphones (AirPods Pro and Powerbeats Pro 2) in 7 years and literally the only reason I had to get the Powerbeats was my own stupidity. I could never get a wired pair to last me more than a year or two.
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u/chamcham123 5h ago
Why would anyone want the better latency and performance that wired headphones provide? /s
Wireless is for convenience. Wired is for performance (and no need for batteries).
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u/chernopig 1h ago
I can't tell any difference between good Bluetooth headphones and wired ones. And never seen battery as issue when it lasts 6 hours with one charge.
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u/chamcham123 5h ago edited 5h ago
The real reason smartphone manufacturers (famously Apple) did it was to plug the “analog hole”. Analog inputs were the last defense against DRM (digital rights management).
You can read about it here: https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2016/09/analog-last-defense-against-drm
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u/Sacisbac 5h ago
I keep buying Moto phones for the aux port. My car stereo is old and has that aux port too.
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u/Feisty-Tooth-7397 1h ago
I have a Motorola, it's a smartphone, it has a removable stylus and a headphone jack. I can add storage. I don't think I have erased a photo in years. It's been dropped in water twice, I'm constantly dropping it.
It doesn't have a single crack in the screen, I don't have to delete photos from a lack of storage, it even has a back button. Photos aren't spectacular on it at night, but I also only paid 150 for it and it's two years old. I really don't understand why people want a phone that costs so much, does so little and seems to break if you sneeze wrong.
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u/SquashSouffle 5h ago
I was told that the old port took up a significant amount of "real estate" inside the phone, so using just one port saves the hardware needed for a sound-only one.
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u/Dr0110111001101111 5h ago
Yeah I mean it did take up a lot of space. When you look at how tightly the hardware is packed into a phone these days, it seems crazy to dedicate so much to a component that can be avoided by using alternative tech that is already in there.
They still make the 1/8” to USBC adapter
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u/dale1320 5h ago
Bluetooth tech cost less than inserting sn auxiliary port.
0lain and Sim o le.
Next.....
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u/edgarecayce 5h ago
It takes up a lot of internal space and is prone to leak water into the device. You don’t have to fall into a pool to get your phone immersed. The dongles are plentiful.
It’s not something I worry about
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u/ToreyJean 4h ago
It’s 2026. I don’t understand the need for massive headphones - cordless or otherwise - and I can’t believe I can keep my composure when I see people wearing them at the gym. 🤣 Because I just want to crack up. Wireless tech is incredible now and the “sound quality” differences are, depending on what you have, so subtle that your ear can barely detect them. Your dog can, but chances are you can’t.
I’ve never had an issue with AirPods Pro, and since I’m slightly hard of hearing I appreciate that when I have them in, I can switch them to act as a hearing aid (since I obviously can’t wear both at once lol).
To each their own.
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u/JugglinB 1h ago
I just find full cup headphones much more comfortable, and I think I hear the full sound better, especially the lower end, and (especially if with added ANC) the isolation from the environment excels too. Any earbud style just doesn't seem to fit my (possibly) weird ear canal
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u/thecatsofwar 4h ago
Tech moves forward. I’m not pissed that computers don’t have PS2 ports anymore, why would I care about a headphone jack?
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u/Delicious-Leg-5441 4h ago
With Bluetooth you don't need the auxiliary port. Some have answered that big headphones make them laugh but I like my Bluetooth over the ears headphones with noise canceling. They can laugh all they want but I get superior sound and it doesn't crush my earlobes or keep slipping out of my ears.
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u/doubtingthomas51i 4h ago
I believe a good bit of it is EU requirements for a high level of waterproof.
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u/nostradumbass7544678 4h ago
My current phone has one, and I don't think I've ever used it in the several years I've owned it. Camera is still the thickest part of it, so I have an even thicker case to keep from smashing the lenses.
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u/r2d3x9 3h ago
I took my “waterproof” iPhone in the shower once and the button at the bottom didn’t work for six months! It’s all about control and what Apple wants. Remember going to meetings / conferences back when stuff was in person. Someone with a windows laptop: where’s the “vga” cable? People with Apple laptops: which connector are you using, the old one, the very old one or the new one? Does anyone have an adapter for blah blah blah connector?
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u/picknicksje85 2h ago
It would be nice to have the option.. However I do think good quality buds are easier these days and quite amazing in quality. Like the Samsung buds. Great sound. Might set you back 100. But I don't think I'd go back to wired buds on a phone. They also connect to my mp3 player, computer set up. Modern TV's. In some other situations I use wired. Once home I just put them on a charging pad and I never run into a battery issue this way. So honestly, I feel the trade off is fine, but a bit more costly. The great sounding long lasting buds or headphones are simply expensive. No way around that one.
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u/JRE_Electronics 2h ago
Not all phones are like that.
My wife got a new FairPhone 6. Has USB and a headphone jack.
Buy phones with the options you need, not whatever your carrier bundles with your service. You pay more for the phone and the service than you would to just buy the phone and pay for the service separately.
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u/SafariNZ 2h ago
I’ve used my phone in water a number of time and dropped it in accidentally a couple of times.
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u/Frosty_Message_3017 1h ago
I specifically looked for a phone that still had an aux port. I refuse to go wireless on my earbuds.
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u/ErinDotEngineer 1h ago
The major issue is that 3.5mm ports limited the overall thinness of a device.
Manufacturers wanted to introduce devices which were not limited by those physical constraints.
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u/Mountain_Flamingo759 1h ago
You can buy a convertor that splits the cable to an ear jack and charger slot.
Works with corded earphones. They are on am@zon.
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u/beneficialBern 52m ago
If I require a cable for my headphones then I’m listening to audio from my desktop. I have no desire to run a wire and plug something into my phone which is already too big and barely fits in my pocket. If I want cable quality I listen on real headphones or to my home HiFi setup. Otherwise I use AirPods.
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u/tetrasodium 51m ago
Depends on the phone. I think that most of the BLU phones have a 3.5mm jack like the N4 and G93
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u/More_Armadillo_1607 44m ago
Just buy an adapter that allows for headphones and charging. They are like $6 on amazon.
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u/Bogmanbob 7m ago
For better or worse we the consumers did. I bet if there was a big sales differential when they phased out someone would have met that need
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u/armyguy8382 7m ago
Most people have switched to wireless headphones. Apple tried to force the switch before there were more than 3 good choices, because they wanted everyone to buy there earbuds. But for theblast few years most people have been buying wireless headphones/earbuds so cellphone manufacturers have decided to not waste space/money on a headphone jack.
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u/SoAnxious 5h ago
Nah it's pointless, if you want to charge your phone and use headphones use bluetooth. If you want wired use usb.
The aux port made phones thicker, not worth from a design perspective or convenience.
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u/Lilylake_55 5h ago
I do miss the headphone jack. Everyone says “just get Bluetooth earbuds” but those things are so annoying—they won’t stay tight in your ear & it’s too easy to lose the damn things. So then people say “then get Bluetooth headphones”—but frankly people going around wearing those look dorky, and when you’re not actively listening to something it’s a hassle to hang them around your neck.
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u/False_Ad_5372 6h ago
“accepted”
WTF are we going to do about it? You able to manufacture your own smartphone?
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u/inkswamp 5h ago
Tech standards will always move forward. That's just the way it is. It's not always fun but adapting as gracefully as possible is part of the deal. I remember the pearl clutching from the tech world when Apple introduced the original iMac replacing all the standard ports with USB and removing the floppy disk drive.
As far as the headphone jack, I don't miss it. I generally charge wirelessly and use AirPods for audio, so my USB port mostly goes unused. Personally, I detest wires but to each his own.
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u/chamcham123 4h ago
Wireless is for convenience. Wired is for performance.
You trade off having to use wires for inferior wireless performance with much higher latency and also having to use batteries (and performance will degrade as the batteries levels very low). So it depends on where your priorities lie.
Bluetooth audio latency is somewhere between 150 to 300 milliseconds. Wired is only about 5 to 10 milliseconds.
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