Pixel 6a dummy confirms in-display fingerprint reader, no 3.5 mm headphone jack

07 December 2021
The new mid-range Pixel phone will look like the flagship 6-series and will probably share its chipset too - just not its camera sensors.

Sort by:

I don't see the purpose/utility/reasoning to have an "affordable/midrange" phone without a headphone jack.

    • D
    • AnonD-731363
    • Lfw
    • 12 Dec 2021

    adsubzero, 10 Dec 2021That's just a dumb comparison. Digitalization of audio... moreMan not a dumb comparison but very real and it will end exactly like that,

      adsubzero, 10 Dec 2021That's just a dumb comparison. Digitalization of audio... moreYeah just forgot to mention this - I was fine with manufacturers not giving us headphones in the box anymore, even though it's a scum move, but after ditching the headphone jack and then not even giving the adapter, they should give us wireless heaphones. Not type c wired, but WIRELESS. That is, of course, if the intention was to migrate to the new wireless standard, which it isn't. They only care about profits, and any other bullshit that they claim about saving the environment or something being more convenient for the consumers is a straight up lie. Manufacturers don't give a s*** about customers.

        AnonD-731363, 09 Dec 2021Man you funny. Vynyl plates been replaced by audio casset... moreThat's just a dumb comparison. Digitalization of audio came as a revolution as it's superior in every way - convenience, quality and lower costs. Vinyls are only used now by people looking for their nostalgia hit.

        Contrary to that, wireless beats wired only in the convenience department, and that's a rule only for audio. Wireless file transfer is still lagging behind wired because the implementations are far from seamless. The quality/speed will never reach wired. When the proposed alternative is not at least as good as the original thing, migrating to it doesn't make sense. 3.5mm jack being abandoned doesn't do anything other than reduce cost for the manufacturer. Same as any other decision to abandon features.

          • D
          • AnonD-731363
          • Lfw
          • 09 Dec 2021

          YUKI93, 09 Dec 2021That so-called "e-waste" is still way more releva... moreMan you funny.
          Vynyl plates been replaced by audio cassetess and video cassetess.
          Then CDs come then DVDs and now blue ray or internet streaming.
          Soon or later no physycal item will be needed úfor use of watching and hearing music or video.
          Same goes here.
          Your desired cable earplugs are nothing just an old technology of the past which nowdays is slowly but consumed by wireless technology until it get forgotten forewer found only in shops which still sells old technologies for a very overpriced prices.

          This going to be same.

            GAMIRSFM, 07 Dec 2021Here's the sad times now, no headphone jacks on midran... moreHeadphones still exist

              Yuri84, 08 Dec 2021Goodbye Pixel 6a, I didn't know you at all and won... moreCringe

                adsubzero, 09 Dec 2021What kind of question is that? Everyone I know uses a cable... moreCouldn't agree more. For phones without microSD card support, I always transfer files to my laptop using a cable. I never use any kind of wireless connection whatsoever for that purpose, not even cloud storage and Wi-Fi Direct. They're not as fast and seamless as cable.

                  Jbis, 09 Dec 2021Let me ask you a serious question. Out of all the people th... moreWhat kind of question is that? Everyone I know uses a cable to transfer files between an Android phone and their PC. Maybe it's not very often that you need to do it, but there is no seamless way to do it wirelessly.

                    • J
                    • Jbis
                    • Gx4
                    • 09 Dec 2021

                    YUKI93, 09 Dec 2021That so-called "e-waste" is still way more releva... moreLet me ask you a serious question. Out of all the people that own smartphones in the world, how many of them do you actually think plug their phones into computers, or actually use them to transfer files?

                      • T
                      • Tio
                      • Kim
                      • 09 Dec 2021

                      YUKI93, 09 Dec 2021That so-called "e-waste" is still way more releva... more100% agree with you. Sure, wireless connection keeps evolving every once in a while, but as of right now it's NOWHERE near the capability of a wired connection in terms of delay, latency, or input lag. The majority of people AROUND THE WORLD are STILL using wired connection devices.

                        • P
                        • Panos
                        • pIE
                        • 09 Dec 2021

                        I tried to hold Pixel 6a in my Hand, it was the most ackward and uncomfortable Feeling i had ever Holding a phone due to its Form.

                          AnonD-731363, 08 Dec 2021Man you cant speak from everybody too. So please dont act... moreThat so-called "e-waste" is still way more relevant for a much faster and much more stable connection. Until the day where wireless connection can at least keep up with wired connection in terms of speed and latency lag, be it audio or file transfer or even battery charging, keep dreaming about wireless being the future. If anything, wireless might be the one to go away and extinct.

                            • ?
                            • Anonymous
                            • 39y
                            • 08 Dec 2021

                            Rae, 08 Dec 2021This is probably gonna sound crazy but why can't they ... moreI get that buttons can be placed at the back which is not the best idea in my opinion but it's definitely best to put fingerprint scanner at the back like it used to be.

                            But how can you place a port back of the phone? Then the phone must be very thick to accommodate the length of the connector. Makes no sense.

                            As for thickness, phones are already very thin and its pointless to make it any thinner. To be fair, phone thickness have roughly been the same for some time now. Instead the problem is length and width. Phones are too long and wide nowadays and impractical when on the go.

                            You could also make a case for increased weight. Due to increased size and excessive use of glass, phones are getting heavier. Again, polymer (i.e. plastic) would be cheaper and way more practical, given everyone would end up using a polymer case, not glass. But most people are too stupid to care about practicality and it impacts those who aren't.

                              • D
                              • AnonD-731363
                              • Lfw
                              • 08 Dec 2021

                              YUKI93, 08 Dec 2021Lol please, the comment section here doesn't agree wit... moreMan you cant speak from everybody too.
                              So please dont act like Sheriff or something.
                              Your opinion is your opinion not everybody could agree with that.
                              Wireless is the future since first use of wireless technology more than 100 years ago.
                              Cables are just more E-Waste nothing more and nothing less.

                                More dead meat from Google.

                                  • R
                                  • Rae
                                  • sED
                                  • 08 Dec 2021

                                  Tio, 08 Dec 2021Oh it's to make the phone slimmer they said! It's... moreThis is probably gonna sound crazy but why can't they just put the ports on the back of the phone if they really want to make it thinner. I've never seen a smartphone with ports and buttons on the back of its body. It might ruin the aesthetic, design wise. But at least they could still utilize it on their phone.

                                  These days, ports and buttons are usually placed on the side of a phone, why only the camera on the back? If they put it there it might prove useful to the user rather than just an empty space.

                                  I would always prioritize functionality and dedicated ports rather than just the beautiful design of a smartphone.

                                    Goodbye Pixel 6a, I didn't know you at all and won't miss you. I only miss headphone jack, which is so brutally murdered over and over again just to rise from the ashes like a phoenix. My latest phone is A52 and I plan to keep it till I find something significantly better. With a headphone jack. And, hopefully, a telephoto lens instead of the "oh so useful" ultrawide. Which I used, like, once.

                                      • ?
                                      • Anonymous
                                      • 3xv
                                      • 08 Dec 2021

                                      Tio, 08 Dec 2021Oh it's to make the phone slimmer they said! It's... morewhat's ironic is that the smallest flagship out there has both headphone jack and ip68 waterproof. Yeah the zenfone 8.
                                      Also xperia 5ii/5iii are fairly small. it's ironic the smallest flagships over there still retain headphone jacks. Quite contrary to common sense

                                        Tio, 08 Dec 2021Oh it's to make the phone slimmer they said! It's... moreThankfully, someone with true common sense gets the idea behind the removal of the headphone jack on smartphones. It's not just you who get the idea, even tech YouTubers as well*.

                                        *https://youtu.be/bJG37Z9wPFQ

                                          1 of 4