Samsung Kills Headphone Jack in Latest Smartphone After Years of Mocking Apple

[unibility]

Jony has Apple.

 

[rishic89]

That curved screen is terrible. Unusable

 

[falainber]

If you want a peek at the Samsung phone of tomorrow, just take a look at the Apple phone from last year.

If anything Apple have been borrowing much more from Samsung in recent years including major stuff like larger screens, batteries and RAM, OLED screen. Hopefully, Apple will also borrow USB-C and switchable aperture lenses. I am sure they will "borrow" 5G in 2020.

 

[samp23]

Ill leave this here.

 

[RickyB]

It’s 2018 almost 2019, who still uses 100yr old tech, headphone jack what? It’s all wireless baby. Ohh and the people who do are a minority out of the entire global smartphone industry.

I do. Wired headphones are cheap and don’t need to be charged.

 

[VARTV]

I still don't understand how people STILL don't have wireless headphones of any kind by now... It's basically 2019 ffs

Our 2011 $90K Range Rover doesn't have BT audio...

 

[The Game 161]

Google also mocked apple then got rid of theirs a year later..

 

[BaltimoreMediaBlog]

Cord cutters aren't't going OTA. They're going to streaming services through the internet.

You cannot get all 5 American networks via a single streaming service, so you have to do a mix of several streaming services or with OTA. With ATSC 3.0, no one will pay for network TV as it will be simple to get it free OTA.

 

[chucker23n1]

The S10 will have a 3.5mm jack, Note 10 it's possible that will not include it(but that's not confirmed).

That's even worse. So Samsung's strategy to headphone jacks is "sometimes"? How long do you expect that to last? Will the S series always be sufficiently thick to retain a headphone jack, while other models won't?

 

[falainber]

That's even worse. So Samsung's strategy to headphone jacks is "sometimes"? How long do you expect that to last? Will the S series always be sufficiently thick to retain a headphone jack, while other models won't?

Apple (and everybody else) drops certain features on cheaper models all the time. There is nothing wrong about it.

 

[justperry]

Not joking, I own a Blackberry Key2 LE.

Oops, you were the OP, thought it was another poster pointing me out what is was, I know what it is, just kidding of course.

 

[WatchFromAfar]

Apple (and everybody else) drops certain features on cheaper models all the time. There is nothing wrong about it.

Exactly! Whats the difference between Apple saying "buy this iPhone and you get an LED screen but buy this one and it comes with an OLED screen" and Samsung saying "buy with phone and you use bluetooth but buy this phone and we will give you a headphone jack as well"?

 

[szw-mapple fan]

I am not an audiophile by any means but I do hear a big difference between wired and blue tooth headphones. I am holding on to my 6S+ with pure dorm grip until it dies..

Not audiophile either but I did a blind test and my similarly priced BT earbuds actually sounded better to me. Even for headphones that can do both BT and wired, I can hear no difference.

 

[iMEric984]

samsung has been killing apple in the design department since the s6 edge. I'm glad Samsung is not following this stupid notch trend cause the camera punch out is a lot better looking. the status icons will just be pushed off to the right of the camera. if the s10 looks like this with no chin, I'm all in!!!

But it still has a forehead and a chin. Yes the notch is a little intrusive, but either way whether it’s a hole or two punch holes, it’s still not a full screen design. I own the Max and forgot the notch was there after about a week.

 

[chucker23n1]

Exactly! Whats the difference between Apple saying "buy this iPhone and you get an LED screen but buy this one and it comes with an OLED screen" and Samsung saying "buy with phone and you use bluetooth but buy this phone and we will give you a headphone jack as well"?

You don't drop a headphone jack to save money or make other products more premium. You drop it because you're running out of physical space.

 

[szw-mapple fan]

It’s 2018 almost 2019, who still uses 100yr old tech, headphone jack what? It’s all wireless baby. Ohh and the people who do are a minority out of the entire global smartphone industry.

I think the problem here isn't the jack or wireless headphones, but that Apple and other companies removed the jack but still include wired headphones in the box. Wireless options are cheap enough now that it's not a big deal to include a wireless pair with the phone.

 

[LeeW]

So all those people ( I see some of you in this thread) that said you would never buy an iPhone and stick with Samsung as they would not remove the headphone jack. Told me I was just a fanboy that couldn't accept Samsung was better...

 

[travelsheep]

My friend always needs to know when her Aunt will call her 2 hours in advance, so she can charge her iPhone 7 to have enough power for a 1 hour overseas call with headphones. Can't make a call and charge at the same time.

 

[dylanwho]

Why does Samsung always copy Apple?

Courage.

 

[LeeW]

My friend always needs to know when her Aunt will call her 2 hours in advance, so she can charge her iPhone 7 to have enough power for a 1 hour overseas call with headphones. Can't make a call and charge at the same time.

Your friend knew the iPhone 7 had no headphone jack though. But went ahead and bought it. Clearly wasn't that concerned.

 

[dona83]

I've rarely used my 3.5mm jack on my main phone since getting my first set of Bluetooth headphones in 2011.

 

[dylanwho]

I am not an audiophile by any means but I do hear a big difference between wired and blue tooth headphones. I am holding on to my 6S+ with pure dorm grip until it dies..

Digital recording/Possible Analog recording -> Digital compression to physical media -> Digital compression to smaller audio file for iDevice -> Digital audio converted to Analog signal vs output to bluetooth... I could be wrong, but I don't think you're retaining something of quality, and somehow saving yourself a significant drop-off, if any?

 

[dona83]

Ill leave this here.

Haha, too bad he's using an iPhone.

 

[OLDGUYWITHAHIFI]

That's a nice thought, but there is no single USB-C headphone standard, so there are in fact different implementations and compatibility issues.

Consumer Reports:

The Google Pixel 2 Headphone Conundrum

In an online post, Google noted that only headphones compatible with USB Type-C Digital Audio will work with the Pixel 2. […] Analog Type-C headphones won’t produce any sound, Google says. Instead they will prompt a smartphone notification informing you that you need different headphones. […]

How do I know whether my headphones are compatible?

For now, Google recommends that you purchase headphones certified as “Made for Google.” This program, similar to Apple’s “Made for iPhone” program, confirms that the hardware is fully compatible with the Pixel 2. As of now, only three manufacturers offer headphones that have earned that distinction: AiAiAi, Master & Dynamic, and Libratone.​

The Verge:

Buying USB-C earbuds for my Pixel 2 was incredibly annoying and expensive

Two weeks after starting my cheap Pixel 2 earbud search, I finally have a working pair — but they cost almost twice the amount I wanted to spend, and don’t feel very premium. If I lose or break them, it’ll cost me almost $50 and another 10-day wait. The next time I upgrade my phone, they may not be compatible. Even the Apple Store sells $29 Lightning EarPods. Google needs to do a lot better by its Pixel owners than a single $149 USB-C option. Even better, just give us back the damn headphone jack.​

I read USB-C headphones are still la work in progress, doesn't always work, or sound very good. I wonder if that is the reason everyone is moving towards wireless, especially those phones that already have a USB-C plug for charging, or plan to use one (Apple?)

 

[WatchFromAfar]

You don't drop a headphone jack to save money or make other products more premium. You drop it because you're running out of physical space.

Well that's the design choice you made; don't all of a sudden bad month the technology you have chosen not to include