Sony on why it dropped the headphone jack: the other kids were doing it

14 March 2018
Sony designers noticed a "major market trend" and didn't want to spoil their beautiful Ambient Flow design with an extra hole.

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  • S
  • SZTadir
  • uNV
  • 16 Mar 2018

People who have stayed with Sony till now have every reason to be distressed about this new design. I have supported Sony in GSMA as long as I have been active. But this design deviates from everything I loved about Sony.

However, people who have never cared about Sony should not make this even worse. Your consistent complains have made Sony abandon their tried-and-tested design and do this BS. I can't believe Sony abandoned it's true users and listened to people who only wanted Sony to fail.

    • H
    • Hekato Jr.
    • Hkv
    • 16 Mar 2018

    Such a unexpected excuse, my 9yr old brother can give a better explanation than that sony has lost its grounds no more turning back to this device.
    Here lies the remains of a loyal user since sony xperia pro gen.
    2011_2017

      • D
      • AnonD-468012
      • X{3
      • 16 Mar 2018

      Stop it SONY, you make your fans more dissapointed.

        Yeah... Doesn't matter. I've been hard on Sony for years now and this XZ2 is finally convincing me to give them a try. This phone looks hot.

          • ?
          • Anonymous
          • Sve
          • 16 Mar 2018

          Anonymous, 16 Mar 2018One of the few reasons to buy a Sony is gone. Although the ... moreMost of their phones were quiet, both through headphones and speakers. One of the reasons i never considered buying their phone.

            • T
            • The Girl is No One..
            • RxI
            • 16 Mar 2018

            By Sony's logic, we should all follow the "Trend" of not buying Sony phones too... :/

              • ?
              • Anonymous
              • 32W
              • 16 Mar 2018

              One of the few reasons to buy a Sony is gone. Although the last Sony I owned was rediculously quiet through any headphones. Preying Nokia keeps 3.5 mm

                • K
                • Katt
                • 0Wf
                • 15 Mar 2018

                While the audio jack is demanded by customers it'll remain in some brands. Buy only those with jack and demand phones with two usb type-c ports as an alternative. Your money is the most powerful weapon in this case and a fact.

                  • ?
                  • Anonymous
                  • 0BG
                  • 15 Mar 2018

                  AnonD-521587, 15 Mar 2018It isn't the htc10 had better qualityA phone without a 3.5mm has zero quality...it all depends on the dongle/headphones used, so really a phone without a 3.5mm jack can't be better than another phone. Because all phones support usb audio and you can use any output dac with them.

                    • D
                    • AnonD-521587
                    • IbI
                    • 15 Mar 2018

                    Sense sible, 14 Mar 2018You should read posts on HTC ditching 3.5mm It was more sa... moreIt isn't the htc10 had better quality

                      • I
                      • Iyishla
                      • Re2
                      • 15 Mar 2018

                      Fight all you want, 3.5mm headphone jack is going to die a slow and painful death. About time.

                        • ?
                        • Anonymous
                        • v3B
                        • 15 Mar 2018

                        Anonymous, 15 Mar 2018LOL the "future" argument is another ridiculous nonsense. W... moreWell, why not? gotta start somewhere. Apple was the first mainstream brand to start the trend and whether we like it or not, it created a plethora of new wireless audio gear.

                        Sony should've marketed instead by saying:
                        1. They have support for Aptx/Ldac which are excellent bluetooth wireless codecs which will only get better in time. (frankly, it's weird very few OEMs feature Aptx)
                        2. They make mp3 players/DAPs aka Walkman (which is pretty good for the $$$)
                        3. They make headphones ranging from cheap cheerful ones, wireless headsets, to audiophile grade flagships.

                          • ?
                          • Anonymous
                          • tDP
                          • 15 Mar 2018

                          I love the comment section in Sony articles. They're always successful to garner 200+ comments. Watching the bickerings, arguments, and hurling half-eaten apples is so much fun.

                            • S
                            • Surfer
                            • gya
                            • 15 Mar 2018

                            That's a nonsense justification i loved the xz1 and that is my lost sony fon ever

                              • D
                              • AnonD-690051
                              • thv
                              • 15 Mar 2018

                              Vegetaholic, 15 Mar 2018Very lame excuse, their design sucks so bad, that with such... moresony know that their mobile division is struggling, cannot earn enough profit anymore.
                              that's why they decided to remove the earphone jack to increase their bluetooth earphone sales.

                                Very lame excuse, their design sucks so bad, that with such a huge and thick dimension they easily could fit one, but obviously copying HTC is just makes it easier. Give respect to companies who still holds 3.5mm and not following some idiotic trends

                                  • L
                                  • Leire
                                  • 0Wf
                                  • 15 Mar 2018

                                  AnonD-740707, 15 Mar 2018Haha! You only focus on the word "future". Sony said it wi... moreThat is what Sony want, deceive customers to buy expensive wireless earbuds which batteries degrade along the time and need replacements in few years. But, it's known that companies prefer "smart customers (fools)" that buy whatever they give them, even if it's crap.
                                  The Y adapter from Sony doesn't support quick charging and with an high performance SoC as SD845, depending which you are doing with the phone, it could result in only maintain the same level of battery, ridiculous.

                                    • M
                                    • Mike
                                    • 693
                                    • 15 Mar 2018

                                    It is a different phone with HTC U11+ , look at the design carefully, it is not the same design. Sony never feel on other devices. Just keep doing on their minds. Love Sony. Try your best guy. But the design of X Performance is the best shape of Sony Phone. Love X Performance shape.

                                      • D
                                      • AnonD-740707
                                      • g3U
                                      • 15 Mar 2018

                                      Anonymous, 15 Mar 2018LOL the "future" argument is another ridiculous nonsense. W... moreHaha! You only focus on the word "future".
                                      Sony said it will have Y adapter out of the box if you want 3.5mm jack while charging.
                                      And I just buy wireless headphone than to get rid of your exaggerated petrol station.

                                        • D
                                        • AnonD-733804
                                        • 05U
                                        • 15 Mar 2018

                                        Anonymous, 15 Mar 2018How is it not a bad thing? This is a totally dishonest busi... moreYou have to understand that I am criticising them for the decision as well. In my point of view the 3.5mm jack works, has a place in our lives still and any device without it is an inferior one as a result. It’s not a bad thing for them wanting to sell more wireless headphones and you have to be able to understand their reasons for supporting this trend even if you don’t agree with it. They support the trend because there is a big chance you will buy expensive wireless headphones from them when your phone (whatever brant it may be) has no 3.5mm jack. You must know by now that Sony makes some very good wireless headphones. As to your fanboy/fangirl remark ... You might have to be a Sony fan to buy their phone but you don’t have to be one to want their headphones. As a result it is only logical that most people willing to buy a Sony phone will probably buy Sony headphones as well.