One of the most monumental moments for the future of smartphones was the moment in 2016 when Apple released the iPhone 7. It's not like it was anything special in the general history of Apple's smartphones, but it was the first major device to get rid of the headphone jack (though not the absolute first; Oppo takes that).
Unfortunately for all of us, that one move pushed other major manufacturers to follow suit and has led to a world where the majority of flagship and midrange phones don't bother with a headphone jack. However, if you value your wired audio, there are still some options out there for you.
Summary Of The Best Big Flat-Screened Phones
- Best Overall: Asus Zenfone 10
- Best Budget: Samsung Galaxy A25
- Best Cameras: Sony Xperia 1 VI
- Best Battery: Redmagic 9 Pro
- Best Design: Motorola Moto G Stylus (2024)
Asus Zenfone 10
Pros
- One of the few compact flagships left
- Battery life is a lot better than the battery capacity suggests
- Performance is proper flagship-grade
Cons
- Screen may be too small for many
- Charging speed could be better
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | Display: 5.92-inch AMOLED, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1100-nit peak brightness, 1080 x 2440 | RAM: 8GB, 16GB | Storage Options: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | Rear Camera: 50MP wide with gimbal OIS, 13MP ultrawide, 8K/24 support | Front Camera: 32MP, FHD/30 support | Battery: 4,300mAh, 30W wired charging, 15W wireless charging
The Asus Zenfone 10 is my choice for the very best phone that you can get right now with a headphone jack. It might not have the absolute best specifications of any of them, but it has the specs of a 2023 flagship and a price point that's a lot more accessible than more power options.
The device also comes with a pretty standout design, a fantastic screen, great battery life, and a compact build. That last point is both a perk and an undoing, as some people might not like the idea of a sub-6-inch display but for those who love smaller phones, this is one of the last places to get such power in a small build (with a headphone jack too!).
Samsung Galaxy A25
Pros
- Very affordable
- The screen is very solid for its price point
- Has a microSD slot
Cons
- Plastic frame and back panel may feel a little cheap
Processor: Samsung Exynos 1280 | Display: 6.5-inch AMOLED, 120Hz, 1080 x 2340 | RAM: 4GB, 6GB, 8GB | Storage Options: 128GB, 256GB | Rear Camera: 50MP wide with OIS, 8MP ultrawide, 2MP macro, 4K/30 support | Front Camera: 13MP, FHD/30 support | Battery: 5,000mAh, 25W wired charging
You don't have to break the bank for a headphone jack. Well, actually, that's true for most phones that retain this feature; it's flagships that refuse to be associated with the 3.5mm jack like it's a leper. This Samsung Galaxy A25 is a budget device, so don't expect too much power.
However, you do get a pretty impressive display with this smartphone, and the primary camera is surprisingly capable as well. Plus, there's a microSD card slot as well. It's got an Exynos 1280, so again, don't expect the most in the performance department. For just a few hundred dollars though, I think you get good value.
Sony Xperia 1 VI
Pros
- Arguably some of the best cameras on a smartphone right now
- Premium build
- Has a microSD slot
- Fantastic battery life
Cons
- Very expensive
Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Display: 6.5-inch AMOLED, LTPO 120Hz, HDR BT.2020, 1080 x 2340 | RAM: 12GB | Storage Options: 256GB, 512GB | Rear Camera: 48MP wide with OIS, 12MP 3.5-7.1x telephoto/macro with OIS, 12MP ultrawide, 4K/120 support | Front Camera: 12MP, 4K/60 support | Battery: 5,000mAh, 30W wired charging
The Sony Xperia 1 VI is a rare specimen because it is one of the few flagship devices that provides a 3.5mm headphone jack. The good thing is that it is a fantastic device, so you won't be disappointed with it. You get amazing battery life, fantastic performance, and spectacular cameras on the back of the device. It's a much-needed resurgence from Sony.
The only problem is that this smartphone costs a lot and you're going to need to fork over a few hundred dollars over $1,000 to get your hands on it. It's got a microSD slot too though, and if you've got a professional Sony camera, this has native support as a portable screen for that.
Redmagic 9 Pro
Pros
- Best-in-class battery life and fast charging
- Comes with several gamer-centric features
- Large and high-quality screen
Cons
- Design might be a bit too “serious” for some
- Cameras aren't fantastic
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Display: 6.8-inch AMOLED, 120Hz, 1600-nit peak brightness, 1116 x 2480 | RAM: 8GB, 12GB, 16GB | Storage Options: 256GB, 512GB | Rear Camera: 50MP wide with OIS, 50MP ultrawide, 2MP macro, 8K/30 support | Front Camera: 16MP, FHD/60 support | Battery: 6,500mAh, 80W wired charging
The Redmagic 9 Pro comes from the stables of ZTE, as Redmagic is the company's gaming sub-brand. If you're looking for performance, there's almost no category where you'll need more than what the Redmagic 9 Pro provides, especially in the battery department.
You also get a lot of gamer-oriented features like a cooling fan built into the phone, pressure-sensitive trigger zones that can be mapped, and the ability to add custom first-party accessories to the phone through a specialized accessory connector.
Motorola Moto G Stylus (2024)
Pros
- Essentially the only mid-ranger with a built-in stylus
- Very attractive design
- Relatively affordable
Cons
- Charging speed is “just” 30W
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 | Display: 6.7-inch AMOLED, 120Hz, 1200-nit peak brightness, 1080 x 2400 | RAM: 8GB | Storage Options: 128GB, 256GB | Rear Camera: 50MP wide with OIS, 13MP macro, FHD/120 support | Front Camera: 32MP, FHD/60 support | Battery: 5,000mAh, 30W wired charging, 15W wireless charging
The Moto G Stylus (2024) might be one of the most fully-featured smartphones that you can get right now. The most obvious reason is that it comes with a stylus that lives inside the phone, which is a feature that we're only familiar with from a few devices, the S Ultra lineup from Samsung being the obvious example. Yet, this phone still gets a headphone jack and a microSD slot? Thou shall not want.
It's a mid-range device so you get mid-range performance with the chip, camera, and display. But I do think it is worth mentioning that I'm a huge fan of Motorola's new design language. It's not entirely angular but goes for a boxier shape at the corners and a very sleek one-piece back panel.
