Samsung unveiled its latest flagship smartphones, the Galaxy S25 series, at the recent Galaxy Unpacked event. While the S25 models boast refinements like a sleeker aesthetic for the Ultra and enhanced performance with the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, one question lingers for wired headphone enthusiasts: Does the Galaxy S25 series bring back the headphone jack? Despite the prevalence of Bluetooth headphones and the excellent Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, some users still prefer the reliability and sound quality of a wired connection.
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and S Pen stylus.
No Headphone Jack on the S25
After initially mocking Apple’s removal of the headphone jack from the 2016 iPhone 7, Samsung eventually followed suit with the Galaxy S10 and Note 10 series in 2019. The rationale was that the space occupied by the headphone jack could be utilized for other components. The budget-friendly Galaxy A series retained the jack for a while longer, likely due to the assumption that budget-conscious users might be less inclined to invest in wireless headphones. However, with the release of the affordable Galaxy Buds FE in late 2023, the Galaxy A16 also dropped the headphone jack. This signals that the 3.5mm port is unlikely to return to Samsung’s flagship devices.
Wired Listening Alternatives for Galaxy S25
Fiio KA15 mobile headphone DAC/amp.
The absence of a 3.5mm jack doesn’t mean wired listening is impossible. USB-C has become the standard for wired audio on Android devices. Samsung transitioned to USB-C with the Galaxy Note 7 in 2016, and by the early 2020s, USB-C headphones became readily available. USB-C to 3.5mm adapters also offer a solution for using traditional headphones.
USB-C Audio: A Digital Advantage
USB-C audio offers a lossless digital audio path, unlike the analog signal required by traditional 3.5mm headphones. This eliminates the need for digital-to-analog conversion within the phone, a process that can impact sound quality. While audiophiles still favor external DACs for premium headphones, affordable USB-C dongles offer a viable option for most users. The benefits of a high-end DAC are most noticeable when using high-quality headphones and listening to lossless audio sources like Apple Music, Amazon Music, or Tidal.
Astell&Kern USB C Dual DAC Cable.
Wireless Options: A Worthy Contender
Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro in front of case.
If sound quality is paramount, consider Samsung’s Galaxy Buds. The Samsung Seamless Codec (SSC) provides near-lossless audio quality over Bluetooth, rivaling many wired setups. Other high-quality wireless headphones with codecs like Sony’s LDAC, supported by the Galaxy S25, also offer excellent sound. While wired headphones paired with a high-end DAC remain the gold standard for audiophiles, top-tier wireless options surpass the quality of a standard 3.5mm jack or a basic USB-C dongle. However, for a simple and affordable listening experience, wired headphones are still a viable choice.
