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[-] phantomwise@lemmy.ml 8 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

Why does The Fairphone (Gen. 6) not have an audio jack?

After some of the criticism that we received about removing the headphone jack from Fairphone 4, we did consider bringing it back for The Fairphone (Gen. 6). However, we realized it would be at the expense of increasing the phone’s dimensions. We also looked into the consumer data and Fairphone 4’s weight and thickness were more of an issue than the lack of a minijack, so we decided to keep the same approach, although it was a difficult decision. We didn’t want to invest in OLED technology for the display and then not have improved the phone’s dimensions and weight. But just like with Fairphone 4 and Fairphone 5, we will still offer an adapter, which has had overall positive user reviews.

"We heard the criticism but decided that no, you would still need an adapter to use headphones, plus a USB-C hub to be able to charge the damn thing while listening to music or watching videos"

Funny how that's the same excuses that we get for modern laptops terrible design. "We HAVE to make it thinner so there's no space! You wouldn't want a laptop that's not complete shit if it meant it'd also be less thin and breakable, now would you?"

[-] dustyData@lemmy.world 49 points 2 weeks ago

Let me expand, as I usually deal with surveys and population feedback. There's loud feedback, and there's statistically significant feedback.

People who want a headphone jack are very loud. They will interject this issue into every feedback opportunity given. They will mention it on the comment sections, forums, q&a sessions, answer their surveys accordingly, etc. That's all fine and their prerogative.

However, when you look at the statistics. They are unfortunately a very tiny minority of the entire population. They are not statistically significant for decision making. They don't have the volume to move sales significantly. This sucks, of course, and I personally wouldn't mind the return of headphone jacks, smaller phones and bigger batteries as a fair trade for thicker phones.

But unfortunately, the vast majority of the market is pre-occupied with other things. The phone screen is too small, the phone weights too much, the phone is too thick, I want to bring my phone to the pool without fear of it breaking, etc. They are not as passionate about it, not like the headphone people are, but they far outnumber them in several orders of magnitude. In the end, if the product doesn't sell, it won't matter how much it was worth to a single passionate person. It will sink the company if it doesn't have mass appeal. Making phones is already an extremely expensive endeavor.

[-] FG_3479@lemmy.world 11 points 2 weeks ago

You can get good Bluetooth earbuds for under $50 and a USB-C to AUX dongle for under $15.

The average person is fine with Bluetooth earbuds or an adapter, and audiophiles would not find the inbuilt DAC/amp on a phone to be adequate.

[-] zod000@lemmy.ml 2 points 1 week ago

My wired earbuds cost more than ten times that and will probably last me until I retire. The vast majority of those USB-c to 3.5mm adapters are cheap crap that have a worthless DAC and/or fall apart after a short time. I have purchased my wife three such adapters since she decided it was worth it to get a phone without a headphone jack and none of them have been good.

I ended up having to buy her a separate portable music player to use. So thanks for that Google, Apple, and the rest of the greedy shithead OEMs.

[-] WhyJiffie@sh.itjust.works -1 points 2 weeks ago

how do you charge the phone with a DAC plugged in?

[-] papertowels@mander.xyz 4 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

If we revisit the "loud" vs "statistically significant" paradigm, while it is a shame you will not be able to charge the phone with a dac in without buying a specific cable, how often does the average person do so?

[-] WhyJiffie@sh.itjust.works 1 points 1 week ago

so you need a dongle for the DAC, and an additional dongle for charging that is also, if I recall it correctly, violates the USB-C standard. did I understand it correctly?

[-] papertowels@mander.xyz 0 points 1 week ago

Sure, for simplicities sake let's just say it's impossible.

How many times has the average person needed to do so in a year?

[-] WhyJiffie@sh.itjust.works 0 points 1 week ago

how many times does the average person use wireless charging? Seriously, I haven't seen anyone do that yet, or know of someone who uses that.

and yet that's still a major feature in lots of phones

[-] papertowels@mander.xyz 1 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

If I've asked a question twice and you've danced around it both times, that tells everyone what your answer is.

[-] WhyJiffie@sh.itjust.works 1 points 1 week ago

someone who is often listening to music with their phone and wired headphones, or even just when arriving at home from work, is going to use both the charger and the jack at the same time frequently.

another scenario is if the person uses their phone as the microphone for their PC.

you can argue that both must be rare because you have never seen them done, that's my exact opinion about wireless charging

[-] papertowels@mander.xyz 1 points 1 week ago

Funny you bring up wireless charging.

Does that not solve your proposed problem? You can use a usb-c to audio dongle, which often comes with better sound quality than a phones DAC, and wirelessly charge, even via many powerbanks. These are features found fairly commonly in today's phones, so problem solved?

[-] dustyData@lemmy.world 0 points 1 week ago

“It's not in front of my face, so it doesn't exists!”

That's literally the thinking abilities of a toddler. Wireless chargers sell like hotcakes. MagSafe charger is Apple's most popular accessory in their entire history.

[-] WhyJiffie@sh.itjust.works 1 points 1 week ago

that's the same thinking that those apply who say people don't need jack connectors, mind you

[-] 46_and_2@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

Wirelessly.

Or you switch to your bluetooth buds during a wired charge.

I'm all for audio jacks, but have been using a phone without one for 4 years now, and there are so many options to not be incovenienced.

Also I don't use my audiophile headphones with the phone at all - DAC on it just isn't good enough to get most out of then, prefer to use them with my desktop PC amp only.

[-] __dev@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago

Wirelessly.

FairPhone doesn't do wireless charging.

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this post was submitted on 25 Jun 2025
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