Why Samsung’s Newest Budget Phones Are Ditching the Headphone Jack

Over the past few years, numerous smartphone manufacturers have begun eliminating the headphone jack from their devices. However, first, we must delve into the origins of this trend.

During the iPhone 7 series launch in September 2016, Apple announced that they were removing the headphone jack to make space for other components. Fast-forward to 2019, and Samsung also removed the headphone jack from its S lineup with the S20 and from the N line with the Note 20 after mocking Apple, leading other manufacturers to follow suit.

Ever since this trend has slowly narrowed down to the Samsung midrange phone and their newest budget phones and it has started with the A16 series which will not have a headphone jack.

Samsung A16: What’s Missing?

Samsung A16 has just been announced, and it brings a ton of features, the design is good, although upon looking closely you will notice that it doesn’t have a headphone jack, which last year's A15 had.

It might come as a shock that some people will avoid buying a phone that doesn't have a headphone jack, even if the specifications are really good.

I have a friend who has a pile of headphones lying in his house and not a single pair of wireless earbuds. If I recommend the A16 to him, he would be really disappointed.

Samsung A06 is the only new phone that is left with a headphone jack, bringing to an end an error of the headphone jack in all Samsung devices.

Why Samsung is Ditching the Headphone Jack

Samsung plans to eliminate the headphone jack in all its devices for several reasons. Firstly, removing the headphone jack would improve waterproofing and dust resistance, which is particularly important in regions like the Gulf countries where dust is prevalent.

I completely support the decision to sacrifice the headphone jack in favor of improved water and dust resistance. This doesn't necessarily mean that Samsung is trying to profit from selling their Galaxy Buds.

There are cheaper earbuds available in the market for the same price as wired earphones.

By removing the headphone jack, we can create more internal space for additional features. This extra space could be used for new hardware, such as additional sensors, 5G antennas, and improved cooling if the company decides to include these features.

This will make smartphone manufacturers add more features utilizing the space left by the headphone jack without increasing the price.

With the removal of the headphone jack, companies might create a sleek design that appeals to users, making the phones slimmer and more comfortable to hold.

As technology evolves, more devices are adopting wireless technology, and keeping the headphone jack may seem outdated companies like Samsung always aim to stay ahead of the curve. 

Samsung's aim for consistency across their lineup is evident in their A series and S series phones. The trend of removing the headphone jack is expected to continue.

User Impact: What Does This Mean for You?

You see, most people who purchase budget Samsung phones simply want to plug in their headphones and go without having to configure anything.

When using wired headphones, the sound is lossless and there is no latency. However, with most Samsung phones not having a headphone jack, users will have to buy wireless earbuds.

Wireless earbuds have their disadvantages, such as quick battery depletion at high volumes and the high cost of good quality ones. Some users may also find it difficult to configure the wireless earbuds to their phone.

However, there are alternatives such as type-C earphones and dongles to connect to the type-C port.

Conclusion: A Sign of Things to Come?

As we wrap things up, I think this move signals the end of headphone jacks across all Samsung phones going forward even in its budget category. And most smartphone companies are likely to follow Samsung’s footsteps. 

The decision to remove this feature will benefit many people. It's not just for fun, but rather to replace them with features such as improved Ingress Protection and a sleek design, making the phone feel and look more updated.

Some people may not like the idea of a headphone jack, despite its advantages, because most people prefer being able to connect their headphones to their phone without having to configure anything. Additionally, good wireless earbuds might be more expensive.

But what do you think about this move? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below.