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Headphone Jack Debate

Cluster focuses on discussions about the removal of the 3.5mm headphone jack from smartphones, preferences for built-in jacks versus adapters (USB-C/Lightning to 3.5mm) or Bluetooth, and debates on audio quality and reliability.

📉 Falling 0.3x Hardware
3,606
Comments
19
Years Active
5
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#8151
Topic ID

Activity Over Time

2008
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2009
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2011
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2012
80
2013
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2014
54
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54
2016
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2017
264
2018
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2019
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2022
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2026
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Top Contributors

Kirby64 (24) astrange (21) falcolas (15) scarface74 (14) kalleboo (11)

Keywords

DAC FWIW FM PC AirPods USB headphone jack 5mm adapter usb headphone jack headphones lightning audio bluetooth

Sample Comments

coldpie • Sep 6, 2023 • View on HN

Just use a 3.5mm jack. We solved this decades ago.

wongogue • Aug 14, 2024 • View on HN

Get Apple’s USB-C to 3.5mm adapter. It has a very good DAC for its price.

pritambaral • Oct 4, 2017 • View on HN

I'm not in the audio industry. I need the headphone jack.

nine_k • Nov 13, 2023 • View on HN

The headphone jack is not a big issue; a good enough USB to 3.5mm DAC is $20 or so.

Fnoord • Sep 28, 2023 • View on HN

They do sell a USB-C to headphone jack adapter. I got one, barely ever use it.

vinylkey • Sep 17, 2018 • View on HN

I'd rather just have a proper headphone jack.

matt4077 • Sep 13, 2017 • View on HN

The headphone jack isn't superior in the requires-plugging-in-way. It's also analog and therefore lossy.

dmonitor • Sep 3, 2024 • View on HN

I'd just invest in a USB/lightning > 3.5mm adapter

Retric • Sep 13, 2023 • View on HN

You can get an adapter for audio jack to lightning or USB-C port. But, I almost never see anyone use one over Bluetooth.

glenneroo • Jan 22, 2025 • View on HN

Thankfully USB-C to headphone adapters exist :)