With lossless audio and more on the horizon, Bluetooth looks to finish off the market for wired headphones. But does this mean you should ditch the headphone jack on your next smartphone purchase?
Let's take a closer look.
The Rise of Bluetooth Headphones
Gone are the days when wired headphones were the only option for on-the-go listening. The merger of Bluetooth technology with mobile phones in 2001 changed audio consumerism forever. Today, reliable wireless connections and faster transfer speeds have led to the creation of consumer-friendly Bluetooth headphones. As a result, Bluetooth technology now reigns supreme over virtually the entire headphone market.
Lossless Audio Quality: Is There Any Room for Wired Headphones Anymore?
One reason why some people may still prefer wired headphones is for their consistent, high-resolution listening. While Bluetooth has a few lossless listening options in aptX Lossless, LDHC, and URLC, finding compatible products (both source and playback) isn’t easy. Variable bitrates, particularly in congested radio environments, mean you won’t necessarily sustain lossless audio.
Audio skipping and connection dropouts are potential issues while listening wirelessly, particularly at higher bitrates. Bluetooth headphones share the same radio frequencies as Wi-Fi routers, cordless phones, and even microwave ovens. This can cause unwanted signal interference and audio cutouts.
Another reason to consider wired headphones is that they don’t require batteries to power their speakers, Bluetooth radios, and to process digital data. This means that wired headphones retain consistent connection strength and never run out of battery. Latency is also something to be wary of, as Bluetooth audio latency can cause problems for real-time activities such as hands-free voice calls.
Wireless Headphones: The Freedom of Streaming
Streaming wireless is undeniably freeing. Bluetooth connectivity eradicates the need for wires, allowing users to rid themselves of literally being connected to their smartphones. Wireless streaming allows you to move around freely while still listening to music, and it’s easier to exercise without wires. No more trip hazards at the gym or annoying slaps on the neck when you go for a run.
Wired Headphones Limit Your Smartphone Choice
Despite good reasons to still grab a phone with a headphone jack in 2023, wireless buds are scooping up the lion’s share of the market, with many smartphone brands now neglecting the wired option entirely. The trend is ever more real with each passing year. Apple, Google, and Samsung haven’t released a high-end phone with a headphone jack for years, and even budget pickings are becoming increasingly slim.
Bluetooth Supports the Latest Audio Tech
Bluetooth headphones also come with modern features like superior ANC, Bluetooth Multipoint, spatial audio, and lossless audio. With the much anticipated industry-wide adoption of LC3/ LE Audio, hearables technology stands to benefit here, vastly improving accessibility and support for hearing aid users, among other emerging use cases.
The rise of USB-C DACs
One alternative solution to the headphone jack dilemma is the use of USB-C digital-to-analog converters (DACs). These devices convert digital signals from your phone's USB-C port into analog and run them through an amplifier to a 3.5mm port, allowing wired headphones to connect to smartphones that lack a headphone jack.
Moreover, high-quality DACs can offer superior audio quality to the 3.5mm ports found on some smartphones. Some DACs provide enough power to use high-sensitivity audiophile headphones with your smartphone too.
However, USB-C DACs can be quite expensive. Budget DACs may seem appealing, but they often include poorly-built amplifiers that may introduce distortion into your audio signal. Additionally, occupying your phone's USB-C port with a DAC means you won't be able to charge your phone while listening to music. This is bound to cause trouble when you've run out of juice and want to keep the tunes rolling.
Another alternative is using a USB-C to 3.5mm converter, which is much cheaper than a DAC. However, they are no longer included in phone boxes and there is no guarantee that a particular converter will be cross-compatible with different smartphones. For example, OnePlus' audio converters don't work with Google Pixel phones, and vice-versa. The fact that Apple uses lightning cables complicates matters even further.
The Verdict
So, should you buy a phone with a headphone jack in 2023? As with all choices, you must weigh up the pros and cons. Wired headphones reproduce CD-quality audio consistently, but some wireless headphones can also deliver high-res and even lossless audio. Wired headphones may miss out on many state-of-the-art features that Bluetooth earbuds hold dear, but they guarantee an uninterrupted audio experience.
In addition, hunting down a phone with a headphone jack will often mean sacrificing some other features and/or a well-known brand. With little-to-no flagship support from Apple, Google, or Samsung, your choice of great all-around smartphones is more limited. With that in mind, some headphones, like the Sony WH-1000XM5, provide the best of both worlds, incorporating a headphone jack into Bluetooth headsets so users can choose how they wish to connect.
For audiophiles, Sony's recent announcement of the NW-A300 and NW-ZX700 Walkman might come as exciting news. The increasing lack of support for headphone jacks among smartphones could well pave the way for the media player revival. Rather than consuming vast amounts of mobile data, FLAC-quality music could be stored on a separate, dedicated audio device.
The future of audio technology is constantly evolving, and it remains to be seen how the market for wired and wireless headphones will change in the coming years. But for now, it's safe to say that both options have their advantages and disadvantages. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and how you want to enjoy your music.