137
submitted 10 months ago by zephyr@lemmy.world to c/android

Don't get me wrong. Apple removing audio jack was the biggest facepalm in smartphone history. And you can thank it for not being able to make an upgrade without sacrificing audio jack (and SD card too :/). But USB-C is getting standardized everywhere now (laptops, smartphones, etc.). What makes USB-C earphones not worth the switch?

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[-] jet@hackertalks.com 73 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

Downsides of usb-c headphones:

  1. Bluetooth security risk surface, exposes your phone to more attacks. (Nobody has mentioned this yet)

  2. Most/all phones have a single usb-c port. Charging and using headphones difficult

  3. Usb-c port placement is awkwardly on bottom of phone while must headphone jacks are on top of the phone. Plugging in your headphones on the bottom of the phone with a dongle is awkward.

  4. The entire process of using a usb-c dongle or using Bluetooth headphones makes the entire system more complicated. KISS (keep it simple). The more complexity there is that can go wrong, the worse the experience. If I'm taking a important conference call, I want my audio to just work.

Not directly related: the whole point of removing the headphone jack was to sell airpods. First apple, then android, and even fair phone. Each time the jack is removed to push sales of the branded Bluetooth ear buds. It's a user hostile move.

https://www.wired.co.uk/article/apple-airpods-success

The excuse may be to save money, Space, water rating, but the reason is increased sales.

I personally still use a pixel 5A which had a headphone jack only because it's the B tier phone for markets where people are less likely to also buy the airpods.

[-] jet@hackertalks.com 18 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

This is a good example of the general enshitificstion of a service. Make part of the experience worse to drive sales or engagement with another part of the service. Just like Reddit, just like Twitter... It's user hostile. It means the marketplace is failing

[-] NuPNuA@lemm.ee 10 points 10 months ago

I have a headphone jack and it's on the bottom of my phone next to the USB?

[-] jet@hackertalks.com 1 points 10 months ago

Oh interesting. What model? How do you like the location? Ever use the headphones with your phone in your pocket?

[-] Madusch@lemmy.ml 7 points 10 months ago

Not the person you answered, but I have the same location. Samsung M51 (7000mAh battery ftw). I put my phone into my left front pocket facing downward anyway, since that's the direction of my hand, so it's natural, so the headphone jack faces the right direction. I like this location better than on the top side.

[-] NuPNuA@lemm.ee 5 points 10 months ago

It's a Motorola Moto 5G+ if I remember rightly. I realised a few years back that mobile phone tech had plateaued for what I need so I no longer bother with flagships, this one was sub £300, had SD Card and headphone support and NFC for payments so looked promising and I have no complaints. Ironically I don't mind using Bluetooth earbuds so rarely use the port but I like to have the choice. My old man just picked a newer model of the same phone which seems to have all the same features and he's happy.

[-] thehatfox@lemmy.world 5 points 10 months ago

Usb-c port placement is awkwardly on bottom of phone while must headphone jacks are on top of the phone. Plugging in your headphones on the bottom of the phone with a dongle is awkward.

Isn't it more awkward to have the headphone jack on the top? If the jack is on the bottom it faces up when the phone is in a pocket.

[-] jet@hackertalks.com 6 points 10 months ago

Multiple phone scenarios where headphone on top is better. Using phone on a stand, using phone propped up on something, resting phone on your chest while watching something in bed.

If android let the screen rotate upside down I suppose i wouldn't care about top or bottom anymore.

[-] mexicancartel@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 10 months ago

So you put you phone upside down in pocket?

[-] Whirlybird@aussie.zone 1 points 10 months ago

You don’t? When you hold a phone and then put it in your pocket it will naturally be going in top first.

[-] mexicancartel@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 10 months ago

Nope i don't. When my hand goes down, i kind of like hold phone in the middle with two fingers and it will stay upright when i put the phone into pockets

[-] Whirlybird@aussie.zone 1 points 10 months ago

Right, fair enough. For me, and I would assume most people, we hold our phones upright when using them, and then put them down in our pocket without re-arranging the phone in our hand, ending up with the phone top down and with the screen against our body.

[-] mexicancartel@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 10 months ago

Btw i don't rearrage it much it kinda comes automatically i wanna show you some kind of animation lol. Its like the phone stays upright when going from hand to pocket

[-] mexicancartel@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 10 months ago

Nope i don't. When my hand goes down, i kind of like hold phone in the middle with two fingers and it will stay upright when i put the phone into pockets. Plus i know many people dping this

[-] Pixel@lemmy.sdf.org 5 points 10 months ago

Loved my Pixel 5a until it died randomly over night a few weeks ago

[-] stown@sedd.it 3 points 10 months ago

I've really liked my pixel 5a as well. Always thought the Google phones had the perfect balance of features, design, and cost. I even got the pixel subscription when I got the 5a because I figured Google wouldn't drop the ball. I get to upgrade to the latest pixel in 2 months and I think I'm gonna pass on pixel 7. Think I'm going to check out the Zenphone 10 because I really like the size and design.

[-] jet@hackertalks.com 2 points 10 months ago

It's the last pixel with headphones. Last of the line.

[-] Laice@lemmy.world -2 points 10 months ago

how is using bluetooth headset making it more complicated.....

All other points are valid.

[-] jet@hackertalks.com 21 points 10 months ago

Bluetooth complication over a wired headset:

  1. Battery charge levels
  2. Radio interference
  3. Bluetooth time sharing with other devices
  4. Bluetooth devices getting stolen by another device while in use (ever had two phones paired to one headset?)
  5. Bluetooth microphone audio quality levels are not great
[-] foggenbooty@lemmy.world 4 points 10 months ago

I'M MINDING MY OWN BUSINESS CRANKIN MY HOG WHEN MY BT HEADPHONES DIE AND THE WHOLE HOUSE HEARS PORN BLARE OUT MY PHONE SPEAKERS.

I'M A PERSON WITH NEEDS TOO MOM! DEAL WITH IT!!!

  • Damn I miss r/THE_PACK
[-] Laice@lemmy.world 2 points 10 months ago

except most device stop any media when the headphones are disconeted.

[-] oldfart@lemm.ee 2 points 10 months ago
  1. A delay between the time you turn it on and the time it connects. Sometimes they will not connect and you need to go to settings.
  2. When using headset with more than 1 device, it will connect to the wrong one. And the number of slots is limited.
  3. Anecdotal,but in a big airport if i kept my phone lower than chest-height, audio was choppy because of interference.
this post was submitted on 23 Jul 2023
137 points (87.4% liked)

Android

16714 readers
113 users here now

The new home of /r/Android on Lemmy and the Fediverse!

Android news, reviews, tips, and discussions about rooting, tutorials, and apps.

🔗Universal Link: !android@lemdro.id


💡Content Philosophy:

Content which benefits the community (news, rumours, and discussions) is generally allowed and is valued over content which benefits only the individual (technical questions, help buying/selling, rants, self-promotion, etc.) which will be removed if it's in violation of the rules.


Support, technical, or app related questions belong in: !askandroid@lemdro.id

For fresh communities, lemmy apps, and instance updates: !lemdroid@lemdro.id

💬Matrix Chat

💬Telegram channels / chats

📰Our communities below


Rules

  1. Stay on topic: All posts should be related to the Android OS or ecosystem.

  2. No support questions, recommendation requests, rants, or bug reports: Posts must benefit the community rather than the individual. Please post to !askandroid@lemdro.id.

  3. Describe images/videos, no memes: Please include a text description when sharing images or videos. Post memes to !androidmemes@lemdro.id.

  4. No self-promotion spam: Active community members can post their apps if they answer any questions in the comments. Please do not post links to your own website, YouTube, blog content, or communities.

  5. No reposts or rehosted content: Share only the original source of an article, unless it's not available in English or requires logging in (like Twitter). Avoid reposting the same topic from other sources.

  6. No editorializing titles: You can add the author or website's name if helpful, but keep article titles unchanged.

  7. No piracy or unverified APKs: Do not share links or direct people to pirated content or unverified APKs, which may contain malicious code.

  8. No unauthorized polls, bots, or giveaways: Do not create polls, use bots, or organize giveaways without first contacting mods for approval.

  9. No offensive or low-effort content: Don't post offensive or unhelpful content. Keep it civil and friendly!

  10. No affiliate links: Posting affiliate links is not allowed.

Quick Links

Our Communities

Lemmy App List

Chat and More


founded 11 months ago
MODERATORS