Apple was one of the first companies to get rid of the 3.5mm headphone jack. Does the new iPhone SE 3 finally bring back the legacy port?

The iPhone SE 3 checks quite a few boxes for its $429 starting price — including everything from Apple's latest processor to 5G connectivity. But does the iPhone SE 3 have a headphone jack? Many of you reading this probably remember the days when 3.5mm headphone jacks were a standard feature on smartphones. No matter how much a phone cost or who made it, you could rest assured that it would have a headphone jack built into it. In recent years, however, that's changed pretty dramatically.

In 2022, phones with a headphone jack are now the exception instead of the norm. It all started in 2016. Almost immediately after Apple had the 'courage' to release the iPhone 7 without a headphone jack, other smartphone manufacturers quickly did the same thing. That's why phones from Samsung, Google, and other companies also no longer have headphone jacks — and haven't for a few years now.

Related: Does The iPhone SE 3 Come With A Charger?

With this in mind, it shouldn't come as any surprise that the iPhone SE 3 does not have a 3.5mm headphone jack. Every iPhone since the iPhone 7 has shipped without the legacy port. That includes the iPhone 8, iPhone X, iPhone SE 2, and all other models right up to the iPhone 13. Some Apple fans may have been hopeful that the iPhone SE 3 could buck this trend, but unfortunately, it's just another iPhone without a headphone jack.

While the missing headphone jack is certainly annoying, the iPhone SE 3 still gives users plenty of options for listening to music, podcasts, etc. If you own a pair of wired headphones and still want to use them with the iPhone SE 3, you can always do so with a Lightning to 3.5mm adapter. Plug the Lightning end of the adapter into the iPhone, plug your headphones into the 3.5mm jack on the other end of it, and that's all there is to it. Although Apple doesn't include one of these adapters in the box with the iPhone SE 3, you can buy one on Apple's website for $9. Similarly, Apple sells its EarPods wired earbuds for $19 that plug directly into the Lightning port — no adapter required.

Another option is to ditch wired headphones and use a pair of wireless ones. If you don't already own some, the iPhone SE 3 works best AirPods and Beats headphones. AirPods 3 are available for $179 and come with Spatial Audio, wireless/MagSafe charging, seamless device switching, and up to 30 hours of battery life. You can also get the $199 Beats Fit Pro for active noise canceling, transparency mode, and a sportier design. And, last but not least, there are always the iPhone SE 3's built-in speakers.

Would it be nice if Apple had added a 3.5mm headphone jack to the iPhone SE 3? Sure it would. But since it didn't, these are the options available to you. Whether you buy an adapter, Lightning earbuds, or make the switch to wireless, there are plenty of ways to keep listening to audio on the iPhone SE 3.

Next: Beats Fit Pro Review

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.