Culture news and discussion on TalkFuse.
6 Best Phones With Headphone Jacks (2026), Tested and Reviewed
WIRED recommends several 2026 smartphones that retain a 3.5 mm headphone socket, increasingly rare after manufacturers shifted towards wireless audio.
– Motorola Moto G Stylus 2026 — best overall, priced around $500. – Motorola Moto G Power 2026 — runner-up, around $400. – TCL 60 XE Nxtpaper 5G — notable for its matte display, around $250. – Motorola Moto G Play 5G 2026 — budget option, around $250. – Wired headphones avoid charging, connection issues and noticeable audio latency. – USB-C-to-3.5 mm adaptors and USB-C earbuds remain alternatives for phones without a jack.
In short
- Headphone-jack phones are now mainly budget and mid-range models.
- Motorola dominates WIRED’s 2026 recommendations.
- Wired audio remains reliable, low-latency and battery-free.
Explained simply
A 3.5 mm headphone socket is the small round port used by many wired headphones. Smartphone makers have increasingly removed it as they have shifted towards wireless earbuds and slimmer designs, though some phones still include one.
Wired headphones connect directly to the socket and do not need charging or a wireless connection. Phones without one can still use wired headphones with a USB-C adaptor or USB-C earbuds, though these connect through the phone’s charging port.
Art Culture Gadgets Technology