Google Pixel 5a and ASUS ROG Phone 5 have a 3.5mm headphone jack. Simply put, Android smartphone companies seem to be embedding the humble audio out port with truly vast compatibility, back into their products.
The simple but extremely practical 3.5mm headphone jack, which accepts nearly every wired headset or earphones, is back on smartphones. Google’s upcoming mid-range Android smartphone from the Pixel series, and ASUS’ flagship successor to the ROG Phone 3 both sport the jack.
ASUS reintroduces the 3.5mm headphone jack it had ditched in previous ROG Phone:
Leaked images and specifications confirm that ASUS is bringing back the 3.5mm audio jack on the upcoming smartphone. The ASUS ROG Phone 5 will have the audio out port.
This development is noteworthy for two reasons. The ASUS ROG Phone 3 ditched the legacy port. The company forced buyers of the flagship Android smartphone to rely on a USB Type-C dongle to plug in wired headphones.
ASUS is bringing the headphone jack back with the ROG Phone 5 – XDA Developers https://t.co/hyosaAQARo
— 🌊Ray🌊 (@AtlantaRayz) February 23, 2021
Determined users could also slap on the AeroActive Cooler attachment to gain the same functionality in addition to active cooling. However, the ASUS ROG Phone 3 indicated the company may ditch the 3.5mm headphone jack for good.
An early audio review by DxOMark claims that the ASUS ROG Phone 5 will have the 3.5mm audio out port with a DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter) by ESS. The review also claims the flagship “gaming” Android smartphone will continue to include a dual-front-facing speaker setup.
Asus ROG Phone 5 to launch in India on March 10 https://t.co/qsGyGku8wf
— Newsians (@kalsi_aman1) February 23, 2021
ASUS has confirmed it will launch the ASUS ROG Phone 5 on March 10, at 7 PM Taiwan time. The company hasn’t officially confirmed detailed specifications.
However, the ASUS ROG Phone 5 should pack the current flagship Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 SoC, up to 16 GB RAM, 6,000mAh battery, 6.78-inch OLED display, and a triple-camera setup at the back.
Alleged Google Pixel 5a leaked images confirm mid-range specifications and 3.5mm headphone jack:
While the ASUS ROG Phone 5 is a flagship Android smartphone, Google should position the Pixel 5a as a mid-range Android mobile phone. The pure Android smartphone looks very similar to the previous Pixel devices such as Pixel 4a 5G and the Pixel 5.
The Google Pixel 5a is quite similar to the Pixel 4a as well. According to leaked images, the upcoming mid-range Android smartphone from Google seems to have slim bezels and a hole-punch camera.
Leaked images of the Pixel 5a has just surfaced online, and it's an exact copy of the Pixel 4a 5G.
Highlights:
– 6.2" OLED FHD+
– 3.5 mm headphone jack
– Stereo speakersNegatives:
– Plastic body 🤌
– Bezels aren't uniform
– No design improvementsVia https://t.co/3LaKAqOY3Q pic.twitter.com/bxRcrDMIkT
— Collins (@CollinsEbubechi) February 23, 2021
The Google Pixel 5a apparently features a flat-screen without any curved sides, a headphone jack, and a rear capacitive fingerprint reader. According to the person who leaked the images, the phone has a plastic back, stereo speakers, and a 6.2-inch display.
Incidentally, Google has offered two variants of the previous Google Pixel smartphones that sported the ‘A’ suffix. It is not clear if the company will sell two variants of the Google Pixel 5a.
Pixel 5a leak shows a headphone jack, flat screen, and a familiar design https://t.co/i7Le1XhvtI
— Anith Gopal (@anith) February 23, 2021
Google priced the Pixel 3a at $400, and the Pixel 4a at $350. Needless to mention these prices place the Google Pixel ‘A’ series in the affordable to midrange Android smartphone category.
Both ASUS ROG Phone 5 and the Google Pixel 5a are quite apart in terms of specifications, hardware, and even market segments. However, they both have the humble 3.5mm headphone jack.
Incidentally, quite a few Chinese smartphone companies such as Xiaomi, have retained the 3.5mm audio out port in their offerings. This could mean companies have realized the importance and relevance of the audio jack.