From: Vitor Valeri
Sony Xperia 10 VII Smartphone (Image: Vitor Valeri/Hi-Fi Hub)
Smartphones equipped with a headphone jack and a microSD card slot can still be found in 2026. Although the available options have become scarce since 2016, there remain manufacturers that continue to introduce smartphones featuring a 3.5 mm headphone output. Furthermore, due to the rising prices of mobile devices, the use of microSD cards has once again become an attractive option for storing photos, videos, and music.
Update (July 3): Some smartphone models have been replaced to reflect the devices released during the first half of 2026.
When researching which smartphone to purchase with both a headphone jack and microSD support, my primary objective was to avoid the use of dongle DACs (USB DAC/amps). I sought a practical solution that could still deliver minimally reliable sound quality and low latency.
Although I continue to use Bluetooth TWS earphones connected to my smartphone, there are scenarios in which I prefer wired connections. For me, the primary reasons for this preference are:
In addition to the considerations mentioned above, one may also desire a microSD card slot. An increasing number of individuals are seeking to build local music libraries in order to reduce reliance on streaming services.
It is also important to consider microSD slots in light of the current global memory shortage driven by artificial intelligence (AI) server infrastructure. This phenomenon is expected to increase the cost of SSDs, microSD cards, internal storage memory, and related components.
Recommended Reading:
• Don’t Rely on Spotify! How to Build a Local Music Library
• Which microSD Card Should You Use in a DAP? How to Format It?
In 2019, with the release of Android 10, most smartphones restricted the transfer of applications to microSD cards. This feature remains available only if explicitly enabled by the manufacturer, as observed in certain Samsung models.
Currently, when using a microSD card, users are generally limited to storing media files such as music, photos, and videos, as well as other non-application file types.
If you seek improved audio quality and use your smartphone as a primary music playback device, a headphone jack alone may not be sufficient. In this case, the alternatives I recommend are:
Below is a list of smartphones featuring both a headphone jack and a microSD card slot, considering the most recognized and reliable manufacturers currently available on the market.
• 3.5mm Headphone Jack: Yes
• Stereo Speakers: Yes (with Dolby Atmos)
• Bluetooth Codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, aptX adaptive, LDAC, LHDC.
• microSD Card Slot: Yes
• Internal Storage (ROM): 128GB and 256GB
• 5200mAh
• 68W Fast Charging
• Snapdragon 6 Gen 3
• 8GB RAM
• UFS 3.1
• 6.7″ AMOLED
• 120Hz
• 5G
• Nano-SIM + eSIM
• NFC
• Android 16
• 2 Years Updates
• MSRP: US$599,99
• 3.5mm Headphone Jack: Yes
• Stereo Speakers: Yes (with Dolby Atmos)
• Bluetooth Codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, aptX adaptive, LDAC, LHDC.
• microSD Card Slot: Yes
• Internal Storage (ROM): 256GB
• 5000mAh
• 58W Fast Charging
• Snapdragon 7s Gen 2
• 8GB RAM
• UFS 2.2
• 6.7″ P-OLED
• 120Hz
• 5G
• Nano-SIM + eSIM
• NFC
• Android 15
• 2 Years Updates
• MSRP: ₹22,999 (US$241,57 or €211,16 or £180,92)
• 3.5mm Headphone Jack: Yes
• Stereo Speakers: Yes
• Bluetooth Codecs: No information
• microSD Card Slot: Yes
• Internal Storage (ROM): 128GB and 256GB
• 5000mAh
• 80W Fast Charging
• Mediatek Dimensity 7300 Energy
• 8GB RAM and 12GB RAM
• UFS 3.1
• 6.67″ OLED
• 120Hz
• 5G
• Dual SIM (Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM)
• NFC
• Android 15
• 3 Years Updates
• MSRP: ₹19,999 (US$ 210,06 or €183,60 or £157,32)
• 3.5mm Headphone Jack: Yes
• Stereo Speakers: Yes
• Bluetooth Codecs: SBC, AAC, LC3, aptX Adaptive and LDAC
• microSD Card Slot: Yes
• Internal Storage (ROM): 256GB, 512GB and 1TB
• 5000mAh
• 30W Fast Charging
• Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
• 12GB RAM and 16GB RAM
• UFS 4.0
• 6.5″ LTPO OLED
• 120Hz
• 5G
• Dual SIM (Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM)
• NFC
• Android 16
• 4 Years Updates
• MSRP: € 1,499.00 or £ 1,399.00
• 3.5mm Headphone Jack: Yes
• Stereo Speakers: Yes
• Bluetooth Codecs: SBC, AAC, LC3, aptX Adaptive and LDAC
• microSD Card Slot: Yes
• Internal Storage (ROM): 128GB
• 5000mAh
• 30W Fast Charging
• Snapdragon 6 Gen 3
• 8GB RAM
• UFS 3.1
• 6.1″ OLED
• 120Hz
• 5G
• Dual SIM (Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM)
• NFC
• Android 15
• 4 Years Updates
• MSRP: £399 or €449
• 3.5mm Headphone Jack: Yes
• Stereo Speakers: Yes (with Dolby Atmos)
• Bluetooth Codecs: SBC, AAC and LDAC
• microSD Card Slot: Yes
• Internal Storage (ROM): 128GB, 256GB and 512GB
• 5000mAh
• 33W Fast Charging
• Snapdragon 6 Gen 1
• 6GB RAM, 8GB RAM and 12GB RAM
• UFS 2.2
• 6.67″ AMOLED
• 120Hz
• 5G
• Dual SIM (Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM)
• NFC
• Android 14
• 2 Years Updates
• MSRP: US$199 to US$299 USD
• 3.5mm Headphone Jack: Yes
• 4.4mm Headphone Jack: Yes
• Stereo Speakers: Yes
• Bluetooth Codecs: SBC, AAC and LDAC
• microSD Card Slot: Yes
• Internal Storage (ROM): 256GB
• 5000mAh
• 33W Fast Charging
• Mediatek Dimensity 7050
• 12GB RAM
• UFS 3.1
• 6.7″ AMOLED
• 120Hz
• 5G
• Dual SIM (Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM)
• NFC
• Android 13
• MSRP: US$ 399
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