Samsung quietly killed the headphone jack and nobody noticed

by Joshua Swingle / Feb 21, 2019, 9:14 AM

Samsung quietly killed the headphone jack and nobody noticed

Apple has removed the headphone jack. Sony has removed the headphone jack. Google has removed the headphone jack. HTC has removed the headphone jack. I could continue with this list for quite some time but the point I’m trying to make is that Samsung remains as one of the few headphone jack loyalists around. Soon, though, this could change.

Yesterday Samsung stunned consumers across the globe with the Galaxy Fold, the company’s first ever foldable smartphone which it refers to as “a new chapter in mobile.” Looking at the official introduction video (which has already garnered over 2.4 million views) the smartphone appears to have everything. An elegant design, a whopping total of six cameras, a massive 7.3-inch flexible display, flagship internals, and even a large battery. But the one thing that’s missing is a headphone jack.

During the Unpacked event, Samsung didn’t make any mention of this. Nevertheless, the fact that it has been removed from such an important device suggests that Samsung could soon stop including it in future flagships.

As things stand, Samsung’s isn’t due to announce another premium model for at least another six months. Nevertheless, a rumor dating back to October suggested that there had been internal discussions about axing the headphone jack on the Galaxy Note 10. If Samsung ultimately chooses to delay its removal, the expectation is that the feature will disappear next year with the Galaxy S11.

Samsung hasn’t publicly spoken about its future plans for the headphone jack but sooner or later its removal is inevitable. Especially now that the brand is focusing heavily on wireless charging and the new Galaxy Buds.

Related phones

View Full specs

Display 7.3" 1536 x 2152 pixels

Camera 12 MP / 10 MP front

Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 855, Octa-core, 2840 MHz

Storage 512 GB

Battery 4380 mAh(32h talk time)

FEATURED VIDEO

Options

29 Comments

1. threeline

Posts: 318; Member since: Sep 11, 2011

But it's on the S10e. So how did they kill it?

posted on Feb 21, 2019, 9:18 AM 14

6. Nimbus

Posts: 442; Member since: Apr 02, 2018

Didn't you notice iPA has included that galaxy fold intro video image in it's thumbnail on top of the article page with the tagline we changed the shape of tomorrow to avoid consumer letting notice the lack of headphone jack beneath USB c port rather letting us focus on shape,design of the foldable devices.

posted on Feb 21, 2019, 9:50 AM 4

9. bucknassty

Posts: 1353; Member since: Mar 24, 2017

no... but did they make it a big deal? I dont think it will be here next year... time to move on... now what would be nice if they include galaxy buds in all future phones... easy way for people to leave the head phone jack... and the ability to charge the buds from the phone... might as well let it go

posted on Feb 21, 2019, 9:54 AM 0

13. Atrixboyyy

Posts: 607; Member since: Nov 03, 2011

If that was their plan I honestly applaud them.

posted on Feb 21, 2019, 10:25 AM 0

18. lyndon420

Posts: 6839; Member since: Jul 11, 2012

What I'd like to know is...a 3.5mm headphone jack was mentioned on PhoneArena's very own detailed spec list under multimedia, but now it's gone and has obviously been updated since they first posted it. How does that happen without any mention of the article being updated/altered after the original posting? Do we have all the right specs now PA, or are you going to quietly change something again???!

posted on Feb 21, 2019, 2:00 PM 1

21. j2001m

Posts: 3061; Member since: Apr 28, 2014

It’s not going to fit on the phone unlike any apple iphone it was removed from I.e. it was removed as it will make one side to big, and it’s a big phone to start with

posted on Feb 21, 2019, 4:32 PM 0

30. WAusJackBauer

Posts: 456; Member since: Mar 22, 2015

Except that phone is completely useless because the fingerprint scanner is in an absolutely horrible position. I can't believe they made the same mistake twice.

posted on Feb 22, 2019, 3:24 AM 1

2. fakenewzz

Posts: 133; Member since: Nov 15, 2018

Saw that coming.

posted on Feb 21, 2019, 9:19 AM 3

3. mahima

Posts: 739; Member since: Nov 20, 2014

Maybe...but I'm glad s10 have the 3.5mm jack

posted on Feb 21, 2019, 9:20 AM 16

8. libra89

Posts: 2299; Member since: Apr 15, 2016

Same. I was so pleased that they all had jacks that I overlooked this, since even OnePlus decided to opt out of one.

posted on Feb 21, 2019, 9:52 AM 2

4. BCMWorld

Posts: 59; Member since: Mar 24, 2014

At least they tried, up until...now or next year. Am getting the S10+ and it has it

posted on Feb 21, 2019, 9:24 AM 11

5. Nimbus

Posts: 442; Member since: Apr 02, 2018

Next is LG turn to axe headphone jack from it's flagship device even nokia,one+,huawei,motorola,xiaomi has axe the headphone jack from it flagship devices.Samsung has brought the Notch in Galaxy Fold,funny thing is I thought it may have headphone jack but it got confirm by iPA itself. Next year they may by 2020 or may not keep it.we will find out soon enough in that time when that time approaches us or Samsung will speak,tweet,book it out rather than removing it quietly.

posted on Feb 21, 2019, 9:40 AM 0

7. libra89

Posts: 2299; Member since: Apr 15, 2016

I think this device might be a one off. Because of all that is going on in this device, they probably ran out of room for it. It's not a sign for the next Note imo.

posted on Feb 21, 2019, 9:51 AM 4

19. lyndon420

Posts: 6839; Member since: Jul 11, 2012

If the jack isn't there, hopefully they will include it in the next version. I hate it when OEM's mess with industry standard ports. I like it better when things are added and NOT taken away...some of us really appreciate options and don't want battery powered earbuds in our ears.

posted on Feb 21, 2019, 2:06 PM 3

10. alanrock

Posts: 324; Member since: Oct 04, 2018

this was coming from 1961... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8Tiz6INF7I&t=0s&index=7&list=WL

posted on Feb 21, 2019, 10:05 AM 0

11. JayBEE

Posts: 181; Member since: Apr 03, 2014

The fact the Fold doesn't have a pen was already killing it for me, now no headphone jack? Ugh, I'm done with the Fold and waiting to see what the Note 10 does.

posted on Feb 21, 2019, 10:12 AM 5

16. Nionx

Posts: 207; Member since: Oct 30, 2017

I feel exactly the same way. Note 10 for 5th the win

posted on Feb 21, 2019, 11:06 AM 0

12. stulla

Posts: 96; Member since: Jun 20, 2012

Won't buy it.....like my wired headphones.

posted on Feb 21, 2019, 10:25 AM 5

14. rsiders

Posts: 1979; Member since: Nov 17, 2011

There's a reason why you can't find any USB-C over the ear headphones.

posted on Feb 21, 2019, 10:45 AM 4

15. Nionx

Posts: 207; Member since: Oct 30, 2017

I noticed it and was annoyed to say the least. Device is how big and they couldn't figure out where to put a 3.5 jack? Madness. For $1980 I should have the headphone jack, ANC headphones, an s-pen, case, screen protector and a extended warranty (that hinge is questionable).

posted on Feb 21, 2019, 11:01 AM 0

22. j2001m

Posts: 3061; Member since: Apr 28, 2014

Hi, are you all ther, it’s can not fit as it’s in 2 parts how is it going to work, there is no way it’s going to fit in the phone, you have to make one side bigger or both to keep it ok looking

posted on Feb 21, 2019, 4:34 PM 0

17. Lita9

Posts: 57; Member since: May 07, 2017

what's the big deal ? at least Galaxy Fold is giving FREE EAR BUDS. why didn't you mention that PA ?

posted on Feb 21, 2019, 1:35 PM 1

20. geordie8t1

Posts: 306; Member since: Nov 16, 2015

Ive had my eye on this for a while, and even though i will not buy one im keen to see how it is in real life, it looks slick and you can certainly see the R&D that has gone into creating such a display, i just.hope that they haven't priced this thing to high for me personally, if it was $1500 max, i could probably justify it while getting rid of a tablet and just having this, hopefully if there is enough demand for a 2nd gen, to iron out kinks and reduce the cost as well

posted on Feb 21, 2019, 3:17 PM 0

23. tangbunna

Posts: 485; Member since: Sep 29, 2016

no nody care cos no body will buy this fouly foldy

posted on Feb 21, 2019, 6:18 PM 1

24. Aruminiumaian

Posts: 209; Member since: Jul 22, 2017

They also did on Tab S5e, but anyway I'm glad they kept the jack on S10. For me that's the most important bit.

posted on Feb 21, 2019, 6:33 PM 0

25. odachek

Posts: 128; Member since: Sep 01, 2012

Wired earphones no need to worry about battery life but can cause the phone to drop accidentally with a swing arm or watch strap. Bluetooth wireless earphones is free from tangle but can drain the battery. Both have plus & minus points.