Google has announced its largest range of new phones ever under the umbrella of the Pixel 9. Composed of the Google Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and the foldable Pixel 9 Pro Fold, this is the most advanced and largest Pixel range ever. If you’re looking to buy a new Android phone, then these are likely to be near the top of your list to check out.
These new phones sport a close link to Google’s Gemini AI and the most advanced cameras we’ve ever seen on a Pixel device — but do they have everything? Do they, unlike most flagship phones in 2024, have headphone jacks? We know, and we’re about to tell you.
So, is there a headphone jack? No. That’s a wrap; thanks for coming, everyone — remember to tip your waitress.
None of the Pixel 9 phones have headphone jacks, not even the massive Pixel 9 Pro Fold, one of Google’s biggest phones. Outside of the USB-C port, there’s no extra port on any of these phones, which is likely to be a disappointment for anyone still hanging onto their wired headphones.
It’s not much of a surprise. Google hasn’t included a headphone jack on a flagship Pixel phone since the very first Pixel, which means it’s been almost six years since the venerable port was axed by Google. The Pixel A range kept hold of the port for a while longer, but it eventually disappeared by the time of the Pixel 6a.
So, really, that was all she wrote for the headphone jack on Pixel phones. We don’t expect we’ll ever see the port back in another Google-built smartphone.
Does not having a headphone jack mean you have no choice but to never listen to music on your phone ever again? No, not at all. There exist a number of ways to connect headphones or speakers to your phone that don’t require a headphone jack.
The first and most popular method is through a Bluetooth connection. While this lacks the high-definition connection that audiophiles love, most people will be fine with the quality Bluetooth 5.3 allows for. Plus, losing wires means there are no more annoying snags when you move around. On the downside, you need to keep Bluetooth headphones charged separately from your phone, so they’re not quite as convenient as wired headphones. Still, the positives outweigh the negatives in our opinion.
Bluetooth headphones used to be quite pricey, but that’s no longer the case. Sure, getting a high-spec pair will cost you, but you can get great pairs for less than you might think. Check out our list of the best Bluetooth earbuds to see what great options are out there. Prefer a set of cans? We also have a list of the best Bluetooth headphones too.
But perhaps you have a really nice pair of wired headphones. We get it; there are some really nice ones out there. Thankfully, there are ways you can keep using them with your new phone. While they no longer come bundled with phones, USB-C to 3.5mm adapters still exist, and one can be used to connect your headphones to your phone.
Just like Bluetooth headphones, we have a list of the best USB-C to 3.5mm adapters around, so you can check those out and attach one to the end of your wired headphones. Then, you’ll be able to use them just like before, but plugging into the USB-C slot instead. Unfortunately, that does mean you won’t be able to charge your phone at the same time unless you use a wireless charging pad.
Two new highly requested iCloud plugins just got added to ChatGPT, giving people who rely on Apple’s Mail and Calendar services a way to search emails, check appointments, and manage their schedules directly through the chatbot.
The integration is rolling out to all ChatGPT plans, including the free tier. You can access it on the web, desktop, and iOS.
Google Play is borrowing one of the Nintendo Switch’s most useful little tricks. A new Sidekick tool called Playbacks captures a short clip after something interesting has already happened, sparing players from running a screen recorder throughout an entire game.
Playbacks is part of Google Play Store v53.8 and keeps saved clips on the phone. Google first announced it earlier this month, but the new Play Store update marks its arrival for players. Anyone who has watched a perfect win vanish because the record button came too late already understands the appeal.
Samsung’s scandal over its Game Optimizing Service, or GOS, has returned with a bill attached. South Korea’s Fair Trade Commission has tentatively fined the company 20.1 billion won, or about $15.1 million, over gaming claims made for the Galaxy S21, Galaxy S22, and Tab S8.
The regulator says Samsung promoted the devices as gaming powerhouses without disclosing that GOS placed preset CPU and GPU limits on certain demanding games. Samsung disputes that conclusion, calling GOS a legitimate way to manage heat.