Best Phone With a Headphone Jack 2026: The Few That Remain
The 3.5mm headphone jack has nearly vanished from flagships in 2026 — and for many wired-listening enthusiasts, that's still a deal-breaker. Here are the few credible phones that still ship with one.
Updated · 3 picks · Rankings reflect MKBHD Smartphone Awards outcomes.
How we picked
Phones currently sold with a 3.5mm headphone jack. Limited list because most manufacturers have removed it.
- #1
MKBHD's 2022 Best Small Phone winner. 5.9-inch, headphone jack, side-mounted fingerprint, and clean software. Still genuinely the best option for headphone-jack listeners in 2026.
Pros
- MKBHD's 2022 Best Small Phone
- Headphone jack with quality DAC
- Genuinely small at 5.9 inches
Cons
- No major Android updates remaining
- Older Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1
- #2
ROG Phone 6 ships with a headphone jack — rare for a flagship-tier device in 2026. Good DAC, plus dedicated front-facing speakers for gaming. Now widely discounted.
Pros
- Headphone jack with gaming DAC
- 165Hz display for gaming
- Vapor chamber cooling
Cons
- Loud gamer aesthetic
- Cameras mediocre
- #3
Cheapest phone with headphone jack — 2023 Best Value winner
Samsung Galaxy A54
Samsung · 2023 · From $449
MKBHD's 2023 Best Value winner. Now $249–$299 with a headphone jack and IP67 water resistance. The cheapest current phone with a 3.5mm jack and meaningful update support.
Pros
- MKBHD's 2023 Best Value winner
- Headphone jack at sub-$300
- IP67 water resistance
Cons
- Slow Exynos chipset
- Updates only through 2027
Frequently Asked Questions
Do any flagships in 2026 have headphone jacks?
Very few. Asus Zenfone 9 is the most credible remaining option. Most current Apple, Samsung, and Google flagships have removed the jack.
Is wired listening still better than Bluetooth?
For audiophile-tier headphones, yes — direct DAC connection avoids Bluetooth codec compression. For consumer headphones (AirPods, most popular models), the practical difference is minimal.
What's the cheapest current phone with a headphone jack?
Samsung Galaxy A54 at $249–$299 — won MKBHD's 2023 Best Value award and remains supported through 2027.
About this list
We index every phone that won or placed in MKBHD's annual Smartphone Awards (2014–2025) and surface the strongest matches for this category. Award badges link to the full award history. We earn a commission on purchases via our retailer links — at no extra cost to you.