Say Goodbye to iPod, Pixel, and Headphone Jacks

Yes, the iPod, Pixel, and the headphone jack are all effectively gone from the current product lines of their respective makers. Apple discontinued the last iPod in 2022, Google stopped selling Pixel phones with headphone jacks after the Pixel 5 in 2020, and most flagship smartphones from every major brand have now dropped the 3.5mm port. This article explains why each of these departures happened, what replaced them, and what it means for you if you still own wired headphones.

The iPod: A Product That Defined an Era

Apple introduced the iPod in October 2001, and for over a decade it was the most popular portable music player in the world. The original model had a mechanical scroll wheel and a 5 GB hard drive, and it stored 1,000 songs. Over the years, Apple released dozens of models: the iPod mini, iPod nano, iPod shuffle, and iPod touch. The iPod touch, introduced in 2007, was essentially an iPhone without the phone, and it was the last iPod model sold. Apple discontinued the iPod touch on May 10, 2022, and with it, the entire iPod line. The company said at the time that the spirit of the iPod lives on in the iPhone, iPad, and Apple Music, and that it was ending the product because the music experience was already integrated into those devices. By 2022, the iPod touch had become a niche product: it lacked the cellular connectivity, camera quality, and app performance of even entry-level iPhones, and most people who wanted a portable music device already owned a smartphone.

The Pixel: Google’s Own Jack Removal

Google’s Pixel phones never had a consistent headphone jack history. The original Pixel (2016) and Pixel 2 (2017) both had a 3.5mm jack. The Pixel 3 (2018) removed it, but the Pixel 3a (2019) brought it back. The Pixel 4 (2019) and Pixel 4a (2020) again lacked the jack, and the Pixel 5 (2020) also omitted it. Since then, every Pixel model—Pixel 6, 7, 8, 9, and the A-series versions—has been released without a headphone jack. Google’s stated reason was similar to Apple’s: wireless audio, particularly Bluetooth, had become good enough for most users, and removing the jack allowed for larger batteries, better water resistance, and more internal space. The Pixel 5a was the last Pixel to include a headphone jack, and it was discontinued in 2022. If you want a new Pixel with a wired headphone connection, you must use a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter or buy a pair of USB-C headphones.

Why the Headphone Jack Disappeared

The removal of the headphone jack from smartphones was a trend that started with Apple’s iPhone 7 in September 2016. Apple argued that the Lightning port could deliver better audio quality and that removing the jack freed up space for other components, like the Taptic Engine and a larger battery. Other manufacturers followed, and by 2020, nearly all flagship Android phones had dropped the port. The main reasons cited by manufacturers were:

• Internal space: The 3.5mm jack is about 3.5mm deep and takes up a significant amount of circuit board area. Removing it allows for thinner phones or larger batteries.
• Water resistance: A sealed USB-C port is easier to protect than an open headphone hole, though many phones with jacks were still water-resistant.
• Pushing wireless: Bluetooth earbuds like AirPods generate accessory revenue and encourage users to buy into a brand’s ecosystem.
• Audio quality control: With a digital connection, the phone’s DAC (digital-to-analog converter) can be bypassed, and the headphones or adapter can use their own, which can be better or worse depending on the hardware.

It is worth noting that the headphone jack never actually disappeared from all devices. Many budget phones, gaming phones, and some mid-range models still include it. As of 2024, you can still buy new Android phones with a headphone jack, such as the Samsung Galaxy A-series, the Sony Xperia series, and some models from Motorola and Nokia. However, the number of options has shrunk every year.

What Replaced the Jack

Three main alternatives have replaced the 3.5mm jack:

• Bluetooth wireless: The most common replacement. Bluetooth 5.0 and later support high-quality codecs like aptX, LDAC, and AAC. The downside is that you need to charge the earbuds, and there is always a slight latency, which can be noticeable in games or video editing.
• USB-C wired: Many phones support USB-C headphones or a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter. The adapter contains a tiny DAC, so audio quality varies. Some phones, like the Pixel, have a built-in USB-C audio mode, but not all USB-C adapters work with all phones—some require an active adapter with its own power.
• Lightning (Apple only): The iPhone 7 through iPhone 14 all used a Lightning port for wired audio. Apple stopped including a Lightning-to-3.5mm adapter in the box starting with the iPhone 12, and the iPhone 15 switched to USB-C, which also supports audio.

For most people, Bluetooth earbuds are the default choice. They are convenient, and the audio quality is good enough for casual listening. Audiophiles, however, often prefer wired connections because they can deliver lossless audio without compression, and they do not require battery charging.

How to Use Wired Headphones on a Phone Without a Jack

If you have a phone without a headphone jack and you want to use wired headphones, you have a few options:

1. Buy a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter. This is the simplest solution. Make sure the adapter is compatible with your phone. Some phones, like the Pixel, require an adapter with a built-in DAC, and not all adapters work. The Apple USB-C to 3.5mm adapter works with many Android phones, but not all.
2. Use USB-C headphones. These have a USB-C plug instead of a 3.5mm plug. They work with any phone that supports USB-C audio, which is most modern Android phones and the iPhone 15 and later.
3. Use a Bluetooth receiver. You can plug your wired headphones into a small Bluetooth receiver that connects to your phone wirelessly. This gives you the sound of your wired headphones without a physical connection to the phone.
4. Use a portable DAC/amp. For high-end headphones, a portable DAC (like a dongle) can provide better audio quality than a simple adapter. These are more expensive but are designed for audiophiles.

One common misconception is that all USB-C to 3.5mm adapters are the same. They are not. The adapter contains a DAC and an amplifier, and the quality of those components varies. A $3 adapter might have audible noise or low volume, while a $30 adapter can sound as good as a dedicated music player.

Common Problems and Misconceptions

People often ask whether removing the headphone jack actually made phones better. The answer is not clear-cut. The space saved is real, but most phones still have the same battery life as before, and water resistance was already achievable with a jack. The main benefit for manufacturers was financial: pushing wireless accessories and reducing the number of ports to seal.

Another misconception is that Bluetooth always sounds worse than wired. With modern codecs like LDAC (Sony) or aptX Adaptive, the difference is inaudible to most people. However, Bluetooth still compresses audio, and if you are listening to lossless files on high-end equipment, you can hear a difference. For everyday use, the convenience of wireless outweighs the slight quality loss for most listeners.

A common practical problem is that USB-C adapters often break or get lost. They are small, and the connection is not as secure as a 3.5mm plug. Some phones also do not support USB-C audio at all, so an adapter will not work. Check your phone’s specifications before buying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Apple discontinue the iPod?

Apple discontinued the iPod touch in May 2022 because the iPhone and Apple Music already fulfilled the same role. The iPod had become a niche product, and Apple said the spirit of the iPod lives on in its other devices. There was no single technical reason; it was a business decision based on declining sales.

Does the Pixel 9 have a headphone jack?

No, the Pixel 9 does not have a 3.5mm headphone jack. Google removed the jack from the Pixel 5 onward, and all subsequent models, including the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro, use USB-C for audio. You can use a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter or Bluetooth headphones.

Can I still buy a new phone with a headphone jack?

Yes, but the options are limited. Budget and mid-range Android phones from brands like Samsung (Galaxy A-series), Motorola, Nokia, and Sony still include a headphone jack. As of 2024, no flagship phone from Apple, Samsung, Google, or OnePlus includes one. If you want a jack, you will likely need to buy a mid-range or gaming phone.

Are USB-C to 3.5mm adapters all the same?

No. The adapter contains a DAC and amplifier, and their quality varies. Cheap adapters can produce low volume, noise, or even fail to work with certain phones. Some phones require an adapter with a specific chipset, so it is best to buy one that is known to work with your phone model.

Does Bluetooth audio really sound worse than wired?

It depends on the codec and the equipment. Standard Bluetooth (SBC) can sound noticeably worse, but modern codecs like aptX, LDAC, and AAC are very close to wired for most listeners. If you have high-end headphones and lossless files, you might notice a difference, but for everyday listening, most people cannot tell.

What is the future of the headphone jack?

The headphone jack is unlikely to return to flagship phones. The trend is toward wireless and USB-C audio. However, the jack is still common in budget phones, gaming phones, and professional audio equipment. It will likely remain a niche feature rather than a standard one.

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