Samsung's Galaxy A14 5G ( 9/10, WIRED Recommends) takes the top spot in this guide because it's easy on the wallet, works on all major US carriers, and has the coveted headphone jack. Subscriptions help fund the work we do every day. This includes unlimited access to, full Gear coverage, and subscriber-only newsletters. Special offer for Gear readers: Get WIRED for just $5 ($25 off). Updated September 2023: We've added the Moto G Stylus 5G, Asus ROG Phone 7, OnePlus Nord N30 5G, Sony Xperia 1 V, and Asus Zenfone 10. Read our Best Android Phones, Best iPhones, and Best Cheap Phones guides for more.
After testing dozens of smartphones, these are the best with the venerable port. There are times when Bluetooth is preferable, but it’s nice to at least have the option.
No batteries to charge, no dongles to attach, no earbuds to lose. You can use pretty much any pair of corded headphones-no need to worry about whether they’re Lightning or USB-C or whether the connectivity will blip in and out. The joy of the 3.5-mm headphone connector is that it’s one of the few universal standards left. Yes, you can get excellent wireless earbuds nowadays, but maybe you prefer plugging in, or you just don't want to think about charging your headphones.
It’s been seven years since Apple removed the headphone jack from the iPhone.
