GoKawiilUSB-C vs 3.5mm: How Audio Quality Compares After Phone Makers Dropped the Jack
Most major phone makers, including Apple, Google and Samsung, have phased out the 3.5mm headphone jack in favor of USB-C for wired audio, charging and data transfer. Apple made the switch starting with the iPhone 7 in 2016, followed by Google in 2017 and Samsung in 2019, with Apple finally adopting USB-C for the iPhone 15 due to EU regulation. Sony remains an exception, still including a 3.5mm jack on its upcoming Xperia 1 VIII.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The shift to USB-C changes how audio signals are processed, since analog conversion now happens digitally through a DAC in the cable or phone rather than through a dedicated jack, which can affect sound quality depending on implementation. This transition also reflects a broader industry push toward port standardization, driven partly by regulation, that trades some legacy compatibility for simplified hardware design.
- Apple, Google and Samsung have all eliminated the 3.5mm jack in favor of USB-C over the past decade.
- EU regulation was a key factor pushing Apple to adopt USB-C starting with the iPhone 15.
- Sony's Xperia 1 VIII is a rare holdout still offering a traditional headphone jack in 2026.
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See Sony MDR-7506 Headphones on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: engadget.com — Thomas Godwin, 2026-09-14
Published there as: “Phone makers ditched 3.5mm for USB-C, but which one offers better audio quality?”
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