These days, it's incredibly difficult to find a phone with a 3.5mm headphone jack. Here's how the Galaxy S21 FE handles the endangered port.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has everything from a big display to a snappy processor — but does part of its spec loadout also include a 3.5mm headphone jack? Touted as a 'Fan Edition' version of the regular S21, the S21 FE is supposed to have everything that a Samsung fan would want. In a lot of ways, the phone delivers on that promise. It has a 6.5-inch screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, triple rear cameras, a large 4,500mAh battery, and comes in a few fun colors.
No matter how much a company tries to market a phone towards fans and loyalists, however, there are certain trends that just can't be escaped. Last year's Galaxy S20 FE still retained a microSD card slot, but it also dropped the 3.5mm headphone jack — something that's been happening more and more often since Apple ditched it in 2016 with the iPhone 7.
Related: Does The Galaxy S21 FE Have An SD Card Slot?
As much as some people have been hoping for its return on the S21 FE, that sadly isn't true. Simply put, the Galaxy S21 FE does not have a 3.5mm headphone jack. Samsung used to be one of the biggest proponents of the headphone jack, but in 2022, it's noticeably absent from pretty much all of its biggest phones. Whether it's the S21 series, S22 series, or the Galaxy Z Flip and Z Fold, none of these have a standard headphone jack.
While not having a headphone jack is certainly a bummer, it's also a much lesser issue than it was a few years ago. For one thing, wired headphones with a USB-C port are quite prevalent these days. Wired USB-C headphones can be purchased on Amazon for less than $15, and they're a decent alternative to wired 3.5mm headphones. Similarly, USB-C to 3.5mm headphone jack adapters are everywhere. While one doesn't come in the box with the S21 FE, Samsung's official adapter is on Amazon for a little more than $10.
And, of course, there are Bluetooth headphones. Samsung's own Galaxy Buds 2 retail for $150 and are often discounted for even less. They work seamlessly with the S21 FE, deliver good audio quality, have active noise cancelation, and get continuous battery life up to 7.5 hours. There are also cheaper options like the Pixel Buds A-Series, Amazon Echo Buds, Galaxy Buds Live, and plenty more.
That's really all there is to say on this topic. Would it be nice if the S21 FE had a headphone jack? Of course, it would. But considering the state of the smartphone market, it's no surprise at all that the phone doesn't have one. Get an adapter, USB-C headphones, or a pair of wireless buds, and the lacking headphone jack should be a non-issue.
Ever since Apple stopped including a charger in the box of its iPhones, other brands, including Samsung, have followed suit. The same applies to the Galaxy S21 FE, which doesn't include a charger in the box. As a result of this, plus the missing headphone jack, the contents of the retail box are quite meager. Apart from the phone, users get a USB-C to USB-C cable for charging and data transfers, and a SIM ejector tool. And that's it.
Some Android brands like OPPO and OnePlus include not only high-capacity fast chargers in the box, but bundle a protective case too. This ensures users have everything they need to begin using their brand-new phone right out of the box. Unfortunately, it looks like the shrinking accessories and ports are here to stay, at least for Samsung, which has also started removing the charger (and headphone jack) from its cheaper phones like the Galaxy A53.
Joe has been actively writing and talking about consumer tech since 2012. His biggest passion lies with smartphones, but he's happy to talk your ear off about just about anything with a CPU. He lives in Kalamazoo, MI with his wife, two cats, and pit bull/boxer mix.