(Posting this here rather than !askandroid@lemdro.id as it’s a quite general question)

I had a look at the GSM Arena phone finder, and it the choice is getting smaller and smaller every year (only 43 phones from 2023, reviewed by the site, had a jack)

The remaining ones are mostly

  • Xiaomi Redmi
  • Zenfones
  • Sony
  • Samsung entry range

So, has everyone switched to Bluetooth / USB-C dongles, or are there still a few people holding to the jack until the very end?

  • @dmention7English
    2•1 month ago

    Begrudgingly given in.

    Good fully wireless ear buds are truly an amazing convenience, but I value having flexibility and redundancy in my hardware more than having a slightly sleeker form factor. Thay includes things like removable battery, SD card slot, etc. Unfortunately, the market has spoken, and keeping those features limits you to a more and more niche selection every year. By now the tradeoff just isn’t worth it to me.

    As far as USB dongles, I seem to have enough problems with USB-C ports becoming loose or flaky for charging that I avoid using them except when necessary. Wireless chargers abound in my house.

    • @BearOfaTimeEnglish
      3•1 month ago

      I’ve had 4x as many C ports die as I have Micro USB (and I’ve used micro ports since 2009 on multiple phones, numerous headsets, speakers, and small rechargeable devices).

      C ports are awful for durability, despite claims they’re better than micro.

      • ShimitarEnglish
        2•1 month ago

        All my micro-usb phones have the port mangled or damaged over time. I had even to replace one, once.

        All my usb-c phones have had zero issues with the port itself. And that’s as well true for my kids. Once they managed to break a micro USB but they never even had a single issues in USBC.

        They stand much better the forced insertion/unplugging in my experience. yMMv.

      • petrescatraian
        1•1 month ago

        @BearOfaTime That’s odd. My experience with micro USB cables is actually the poorer one. Cables would have their pins worn down all the time and become loose. My current phone has USB C and I had no problem so far. I use the same cable since I purchased it.

        @dmention7

    • slurpEnglish
      1•1 month ago

      I have had similar issues with USB-C ports but avoid wireless charging as it often causes damage to the battery via excess heating (particularly if not perfectly aligned). I’d give up a 3.5mm jack for a redundant USB-C.