Looking for phones with a headphone jack in 2026? You’re not alone. Apple dropped the 3.5mm port with the iPhone 7 nearly a decade ago, and most flagships followed. Yet plenty of people still prefer wired audio: no battery to charge, no pairing problems, no lag, and better sound for the money.
The port has not disappeared completely. It survives in one premium flagship, in gaming phones, and across the budget and mid-range tiers. Below are the 6 best phones that still have a headphone jack, with who each one is for and what to watch out for.
How we chose: I checked each phone’s headphone jack and key specs against the manufacturer’s specification page where it was available (Sony, ASUS, RedMagic, Samsung) and against GSMArena and PhoneArena for the Motorola models. I have not run hands-on audio tests for this list, and prices are approximate because they change often.
Quick Answer: Which Phone With a Headphone Jack Should You Buy?
- Best overall for sound quality: Sony Xperia 1 VII
- Best flagship alternative: ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra
- Best for gaming: RedMagic 11 Pro
- Best value for most people: Motorola Moto G Power (2026)
- Best with a stylus: Motorola Moto G Stylus (2025)
- Best budget pick: Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
1. Sony Xperia 1 VII: Best for Audiophiles
The Xperia 1 VII is one of the few mainstream flagships that still has a headphone jack, and Sony treats it as a real feature. It uses audio components borrowed from Sony’s Walkman line and supports LDAC and aptX Adaptive for high-quality wireless listening. You also get a 6.5-inch 120Hz OLED display, a 5,000mAh battery, microSD support up to 2TB, IPX5/IPX8 water resistance, and 4 Android upgrades plus 6 years of security updates.
Downside: It costs roughly $1,400 to $1,550 and is sold through limited channels in many markets, so check the warranty and network band support before buying.
2. ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra: Best Flagship With a Headphone Jack
ASUS is one of the few brands still putting a 3.5mm port on a high-end phone that is not built for gaming. The Zenfone 12 Ultra has a Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, a 6.78-inch AMOLED display (1 to 120Hz, up to 144Hz in games), a 5,500mAh battery, IP68 water resistance, and Hi-Res audio output up to 384kHz/32-bit through the headphone jack. It suits anyone who wants flagship speed and capable wired audio without a gamer-style design.
Downside: Stock is inconsistent and prices vary widely between sellers.
3. RedMagic 11 Pro: Best Gaming Phone With a Headphone Jack
Gaming phones keep the jack because wired audio has lower latency. The RedMagic 11 Pro is among the most powerful Android phones with a 3.5mm port in 2026. It has a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, liquid cooling, a 7,500mAh battery with 80W charging, an IPX8 rating, and shoulder triggers, at a list price of $699 on RedMagic’s global store.
Downside: Reviewers describe the camera as average, and RedMagic promises 2 Android upgrades and 3 years of security updates. The global store listed it as out of stock on October 12, 2026, and it does not ship to every country.
4. Motorola Moto G Power (2026): Best Value
This is the easiest recommendation for most buyers where it is sold. It launched in the US and Canada at $299.99 (street prices vary) with a 6.8-inch 120Hz display, a 5,200mAh battery with 30W charging, stereo speakers, microSD expansion, IP68/IP69 water resistance, and MIL-STD-810H durability testing. It also has FM radio and ships with Android 16.
Downside: The display is IPS LCD rather than OLED, the Dimensity 6300 chip is dated so expect occasional lag, and reviewers note the battery is modest for a phone named Power.
5. Motorola Moto G Stylus (2025): Best for Note-Takers
It launched in 2025 at about $300 and adds a built-in stylus, a 6.7-inch 120Hz OLED display (up to 3,000 nits peak), a 5,000mAh battery with 68W charging, and IP68 water resistance. It also keeps the headphone jack and microSD support.
Downside: The back is vegan leather over a plastic frame, and the camera is not a strength.
6. Samsung Galaxy A15 5G: Best Budget Phone With a Headphone Jack
When price matters most, the Galaxy A15 5G is the cheapest phone here, with third-party listings around $135 to $150. It has a 6.5-inch 90Hz Super AMOLED screen, a 50MP main camera, a 5,000mAh battery with 25W charging, microSD support up to 1TB, and Samsung’s promise of 4 Android upgrades plus 5 years of security updates.
Downside: It has no water-resistance rating and a basic mono speaker, and many owner reviews on Samsung’s site report lag. It is also an older model: Samsung Canada’s page lists it as not for sale, so availability depends on your market.
Comparison Table
| Phone | Approx. price | Display | Battery | Water resistance | Best for |
| Sony Xperia 1 VII | ~$1,400 to $1,550 | 6.5″ OLED, 120Hz | 5,000mAh | IPX5/IPX8 | Audio quality |
| ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra | Varies by seller (import) | 6.78″ AMOLED, up to 120Hz (144Hz in games) | 5,500mAh | IP68 | Flagship plus jack |
| RedMagic 11 Pro | $699 list | AMOLED, 2688 x 1216 | 7,500mAh | IPX8 | Gaming |
| Moto G Power (2026) | $299.99 at US launch | 6.8″ IPS LCD, 120Hz | 5,200mAh | IP68/IP69 | Overall value |
| Moto G Stylus (2025) | ~$300 at launch | 6.7″ OLED, 120Hz | 5,000mAh | IP68 | Stylus users |
| Samsung Galaxy A15 5G | ~$135 to $150 (third-party) | 6.5″ Super AMOLED, 90Hz | 5,000mAh | None rated | Tight budgets |
What to Check Before You Buy
- A jack does not guarantee good sound. Only the Sony and ASUS phones have audio hardware that can drive demanding headphones. The budget phones are fine for earbuds and easy-to-drive headphones.
- Check carrier compatibility. Several of these are international models. Verify that the model supports your carrier’s network bands and will be accepted on your network before ordering.
- Prices change often. Treat the figures above as estimates and confirm the current price.
- A dongle is an option. If you simply want the best phone overall, a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter is a reasonable alternative.
FAQ
Do any flagship phones still have a headphone jack?
Very few. Flagships from Apple, Samsung’s Galaxy S line, Google Pixel, and OnePlus have dropped it. The Sony Xperia 1 VII and ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra are the main exceptions.
What is the best cheap phone with a headphone jack?
The Samsung Galaxy A15 5G is the cheapest option in this list. The Motorola Moto G Power (2026) is the better choice if you can spend a bit more and want a tougher build and stereo speakers.
Why do gaming phones still have a headphone jack?
Wired headphones have lower audio latency than Bluetooth, which matters in competitive games.
Is a wired connection better than Bluetooth?
It avoids charging, pairing, and lag, and it can sound better at a given price. Wireless is more convenient, so the right choice depends on how you listen.
Final Verdict
For most people, the Moto G Power (2026) offers the best mix of price, durability, and everyday features. Audiophiles should look at the Sony Xperia 1 VII or ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra, gamers at the RedMagic 11 Pro, and anyone on a tight budget at the Galaxy A15 5G.
