Google gives its reason for including a 3.5mm jack on the Pixel 3a phones, and it's flimsy as hell

[Redaktion]

In an interview a few days ago, Soniya Jobanputra, Product Manager at Google, revealed the reason behind the company's inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack on the new mid-range Pixel 3a phones...while that same feature is missing on the Pixel 3 flagships. We don't buy it.

https://www.notebookcheck.net/Google-gives-its-reason-for-including-a-3-5mm-jack-on-the-Pixel-3a-phones-and-it-s-flimsy-as-hell.420591.0.html

[Jonas Černauskis]

This is an era when low/midrange laptops now have features that are absent on the premium PC. Like DVD-Rom :)

[Rjich]

It is a polite way of stating that those with less disposable income will not be as willing to purchase wireless/usb c buds

[Superguy]

Have you ever stayed at a higher-end hotel in a particular family (Hilton, Marriott, etc) vs a more middle-range or low-end property?  Notice you get a lot more included at the lower end?  People at the low-to-middle range typically won't pay for extras, but they feel they can nickle and dime people at the higher end because they have more money and can thus afford it.  You'll typically get lower quality than what you'd pay for (i.e. slow WiFi and continental breakfast vs a better breakfast and faster WiFi you have to pay for), but it checks the important boxes for them.

Same with the higher end phones.  The assumption is you can afford BT phones or will be more willing to put up with an adapter because you have a more premium phone. The lower end would be more likely to use mediocre wired headphones than pay a premium.  So you get it there.

Besides, everyone sees the higher end as hip and more sophisticated, so the mantra there will be 'get with the times' rather than hanging on to the legacy crap.

[BrokenTangent]

'Price point' be damned--I'm not at all 'low end budget minded' when it comes to a smartphone that I'll be using multiple hours a day, EVERY day.

However, I refuse to buy a phone without a headphone jack.

I find the reason for removing it to be absolute garbage. The standard was almost perfect, as is. And I find wireless headphone technology to be very lacking. Headphone jacks mean I can listen to music on my audiophile grade Sennheisers, as well as some cheapo $5 buds. It gives me versatility.

[S.Yu]

'Price point' be damned--I'm not at all 'low end budget minded' when it comes to a smartphone that I'll be using multiple hours a day, EVERY day.

However, I refuse to buy a phone without a headphone jack.

I find the reason for removing it to be absolute garbage. The standard was almost perfect, as is. And I find wireless headphone technology to be very lacking. Headphone jacks mean I can listen to music on my audiophile grade Sennheisers, as well as some cheapo $5 buds. It gives me versatility.

Exactly, it's not just versatility, it's also quality.

[MC4269]

Muppets!

I want the 3.5mm jack. Bring it back, and...
STOP COPYING SHITTY APPLE FFS!!! They're rubbish, why copy?

Notch - what a f#%%^$ up idea!
Remove 3.5 mm jack... for what? space?
Q) FFS what's the size limit?
A) Correct - there is no size limit - just make the phone 5-10mm bigger.
Bigger battery, 3.5mm jack, no Notch!!! Better Camera's...

Sure, charge me extra, but gimme the basics, and DON'T COPY APPLE!!! Like every corp. they're good at some things, but crappy at other things...