Google community manager: "new Pixels still come with a headphone jack if you count the USB-C port"

by Alan Friedman / Oct 06, 2017, 7:16 PM

In response to harsh comments made by those critical of Google's decision to eliminate the 3.5mm headphone jack on the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, Google Pixel/Nexus Community Manager Orrin Hancock posted today that the Pixel 2 still comes with a headphone jack, it has just been moved to the USB-C port. Hancock adds that this is a move made by some of the "best phones" available today.

Hancock says that removing the 3.5mm port allows Google to offer an improved "audio and digital experience, as we move towards a bezel-less future." His forum post also includes a list of Made by Google and Made for Google headsets that are compatible with the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL.

"We want to provide a little more information about headphone options for the Pixel 2. The Pixel 2 still comes with a headphone jack but we have moved to USB-C, a standard that is becoming commonplace in the best phones and laptops of today. Moving to the USB-C audio port with Pixel 2 allows us to provide a better audio and digital experience, as we move towards a bezel-less future...We realize that some of you might be looking for USB-C headphones, and we want to provide some guidance around headphone compatibility with Pixel 2 devices. The main thing to keep in mind is that Pixel 2 devices are compatible with USB-C headphones that support digital audio."-Orrin Hancock, Google Pixel/Nexus Community Manager

The Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL also happen to include an adapter in the box that connects to USB-C and converts to the 3.5mm headphone port. When purchasing audio accessories for either phone, it is important to realize that the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL do not support analog audio because of the USB-C port.

source: Google

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63 Comments

1. PhoneInQuestion

Posts: 496; Member since: Aug 20, 2017

Whether Apple or Google, screw you both for removing these and coming up with some lame ass justification no one buys.

posted on Oct 06, 2017, 7:18 PM 51

2. PhoneInQuestion

Posts: 496; Member since: Aug 20, 2017

Want me to use a dongle? Suck my dongle, Apple, HTC, etc.

posted on Oct 06, 2017, 7:23 PM 49

25. piyath

Posts: 2445; Member since: Mar 23, 2012

Nice reply to all the beloved Android worshipers....lol

posted on Oct 06, 2017, 9:54 PM 1

28. tuminatr

Posts: 1121; Member since: Feb 23, 2009

The Nice thing about Android is if this feature is truly that important to you then buy a device that has it built in. I think the real reason why manufactures are not including it is because a very small percentage of people want the headphone jack. Probably an even smaller percentage wont use the adapter.

posted on Oct 06, 2017, 11:15 PM 9

46. Wiencon

Posts: 2278; Member since: Aug 06, 2014

Really? Because everyday I see dozens of people using wired headphones and maybe 2-3 using wireless and I always look at them because I'm just curious what type/brand is popular Removing the jack is BS, no matter if it's done by Apple or Google but the fact is Apple started this crap and Android manufacturers are following Apple as always without a second thought if their move makes any sense because they think the more their device resembles iPhone, the more sales they'll get Guess what Google/Moto/HTC, people who want iPhone will buy iPhone so start doing your own thing ffs F*ck those companies, my next phone will be from Sony, they play they own game and I know what to expect of them in terms of HW and SW Or HTC 10

posted on Oct 07, 2017, 2:32 AM 12

55. tuminatr

Posts: 1121; Member since: Feb 23, 2009

Yep really, your the guy who should buy a phone that includes a headphone jack. Let me restate thats the beauty of android you have a choice.

posted on Oct 07, 2017, 8:09 AM 1

60. bashsnk

Posts: 14; Member since: Oct 26, 2014

You cant sacrifice old hardware for head phone jack do you? You will soon give up

posted on Oct 08, 2017, 4:46 AM 0

48. AhmadAlsayegh

Posts: 326; Member since: Jul 18, 2011

It's a matter of companies making lacking products, and trying to shove them down your throat giving you some lame excuses! I, myself, do not want to walk around with two pieces to play my music!

posted on Oct 07, 2017, 3:11 AM 2

38. Nathan_ingx

Posts: 4769; Member since: Mar 07, 2012

Really? The comment includes all devices without the jack. You're comprehension values are going downhill.

posted on Oct 07, 2017, 1:08 AM 3

58. PhoneInQuestion

Posts: 496; Member since: Aug 20, 2017

*woosh* over your head mate.

posted on Oct 07, 2017, 12:20 PM 0

61. BlackhawkFlys

Posts: 908; Member since: May 07, 2014

Android what? who started this bulls**t trend? The 4/5Apple

posted on Oct 08, 2017, 12:57 PM 0

44. Beijendorf unregistered

Here's the thing; you don't need a dongle with USB-C headphones. And USB-C headphones are on a steep rise in availability thanks to more manufacturers gearing over to them from the 3.5 mm variants. Dongles aren't the problem. The problem is smartphone manufacturers removing both the 3.5 mm jack AND the built-in DAC. USB-C is a standard that supports analogue audio if the device has a DAC. Manufacturers are removing both the 3.5 mm jack AND the DAC, forcing us to buy dongles or headphones with built-in DAC's (which are far more expensive and with shaky quality for the "cheaper" ones). And in spite of manufacturers saving money on not including a DAC and amp in their devices, the prices keeps rising. It makes no sense. Remove the 3.5 mm headphone jack, but don't remove the bloody DAC. That's like removing the battery on the phone because consumers can just buy external battery packs, right?

posted on Oct 07, 2017, 1:55 AM 8

51. medtxa

Posts: 1655; Member since: Jun 02, 2014

Because google want to push wireless and usb-c headphone. I don't have problem with their strategy because they need to do it though I'll wait until usb-c headphone become more common. Wireless headphone is become better and cheaper now because apple and android manufacture removing 3.5 jack.

posted on Oct 07, 2017, 6:45 AM 0

19. Nathan_ingx

Posts: 4769; Member since: Mar 07, 2012

That's a truly sh¡tty excuse to give to the entire population. If it's because of the bezeless motion, then screw them. As if Pixel 2 has small bezels. If the mainstream manufacturers are going this route, I will find a device from a lesser known brand and use that instead.

posted on Oct 06, 2017, 8:52 PM 7

21. PhoneInQuestion

Posts: 496; Member since: Aug 20, 2017

Mid rangers are technically more of a value deal than a flagship you can't really obtain at a bargain price without some self-deprecating terms and conditions.

posted on Oct 06, 2017, 9:02 PM 0

23. SayMobile

Posts: 157; Member since: Jan 29, 2014

the s8/note8 are the best phones of the year , they are beze-less and they do come with the 3.5 mm headphone jack

posted on Oct 06, 2017, 9:39 PM 9

41. amasog

Posts: 552; Member since: Aug 22, 2013

Not the best phones. They are so far the Best touch screen remote controls released in the market.

posted on Oct 07, 2017, 1:32 AM 2

62. BlackhawkFlys

Posts: 908; Member since: May 07, 2014

Poor you

posted on Oct 08, 2017, 12:58 PM 0

57. Nine1Sickness

Posts: 896; Member since: Jan 30, 2011

That’s like an inmate saying, “my cellmate is a female if you count his butthole.”

posted on Oct 07, 2017, 12:16 PM 1

3. TechGirl90 unregistered

..........

posted on Oct 06, 2017, 7:25 PM 10

5. TechGirl90 unregistered

I'm sorry,................I was dumbfounded for quite a minute, I can't, I cannot with some of these Companies reasons behind the idiotic moves they make!, this is without a doubt one of the dumbest reasons behind the removal of the headphone jack!

posted on Oct 06, 2017, 7:35 PM 19

34. worldpeace

Posts: 3130; Member since: Apr 15, 2016

Need a reason? it's because 3.5mm jack is selfish and backwards.. try read this phonearena.com/news/Grumbling-about-Apples-removal-of-the-3.5mm-jack-is-selfish-and-backwards_id85272 /s

posted on Oct 07, 2017, 12:31 AM 1

39. trojan_horse

Posts: 5868; Member since: May 06, 2016

/s really :))

posted on Oct 07, 2017, 1:15 AM 0

63. BlackhawkFlys

Posts: 908; Member since: May 07, 2014

Backwards? how? The best headphones in the market come with 3.5mm jack. Why would I want a pair of wireless earphones worth $160 with subpar quality? Why would I want to use a dongle? What if I also want to charge my phone while listening to the music or watching a movie. The iPhone usually take more than two hours to charge, what should I do in that time?

posted on Oct 08, 2017, 1:04 PM 0

64. trojan_horse

Posts: 5868; Member since: May 06, 2016

You should pose those questions to Ray S who wrote the Editorial article which worldpeace linked in his comment above.

posted on Oct 08, 2017, 2:26 PM 0

4. Rocket

Posts: 646; Member since: Feb 24, 2014

I think this companies should start making the phones with 2 usb ports if they are removing the headphone jack.

posted on Oct 06, 2017, 7:27 PM 18

36. worldpeace

Posts: 3130; Member since: Apr 15, 2016

But USB port eat more space than 3.5mm jack :-[ And I prefer 3.5mm jack over extra USB port with dongle

posted on Oct 07, 2017, 12:33 AM 5

45. Beijendorf unregistered

The 3 people on the planet that need to charge and use a wired headset at the same time that often can just buy a splitter. Don't force the rest of us to have a useless second port.

posted on Oct 07, 2017, 1:58 AM 0

52. medtxa

Posts: 1655; Member since: Jun 02, 2014

That's really the point and people don't get it. Google want audio manufacture to move to usb-c and also pushing for wireless.

posted on Oct 07, 2017, 6:51 AM 0

6. Dr.Phil

Posts: 2340; Member since: Feb 14, 2011

I find it funny that they say “as we move to a bezeless future” when the Pixel 2 and Pixel XL 2 both have some pretty large bezels compared to other high end smartphones out right now. I mean even the side bezel is as big as the Galaxy S8 Active. So how is that an excuse for ditching the headphone jack?

posted on Oct 06, 2017, 7:51 PM 29

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