Will this be the last flagship smartphone with a headphone jack?
As smartphones keep evolving and adding new features, one classic component is close to disappearing: the 3.5mm headphone jack. But the upcoming Sony Xperia 1 VI could be the last high-end device to have this beloved feature.
Rumored to launch in May 2024, the Xperia 1 VI is said to cater to headphone fans by keeping the headphone jack, even as other brands get rid of it in favor of wireless audio.
Sony’s Commitment to the 3.5mm Headphone Jack
In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), Sony Xperia Global hinted that the company will keep including a 3.5mm jack in its Xperia phones.
The post showed images of the Xperia 1 V, Xperia 5 V, and Xperia 10 V using their headphone jacks.
This commitment to the headphone jack is not surprising, given Sony’s reputation for delivering exceptional audio experiences.
For one, the Xperia 1 series has long been rated as the best for music, thanks to features like the stereo speaker amps, support for Dolby Sound, and 360 Reality Audio.
By keeping the 3.5mm jack, Sony makes sure users can enjoy high-quality wired audio. This is thanks to the better compatibility with more headphones and the phone’s other audio enhancements.
The confirmation about the headphone jack also suggests that if there is a Sony Xperia 5 VI and Xperia 10 VI this year, they will also have the 3.5mm headphone jack.
Other Rumored Features
Aside from the headphone jack, the Sony Xperia 1 VI is expected to have several design changes and feature upgrades.
According to a leaker on Weibo, the Xperia 1 VI is expected to have a new display with a wider aspect ratio of 19.5:9, moving away from the previous 21:9 ratio.
The resolution may also change from 4K to ‘2K Plus’. These changes could result in a device that measures 162 x 74.4 x 8.45mm. That would be slightly shorter but wider than its predecessor.
The camera system is also set to get better.
This includes a 48MP main camera, a 48MP ultra-wide lens, and a 48MP telephoto camera. The telephoto camera will offer 3x optical zoom and up to 6x zoom through sensor cropping.
Sony is also said to use an ‘ultra-micro-hole camera technology‘ for the selfie camera. This would allow it to be placed in the top bezel with a much smaller lens.
Plus, the Xperia 1 VI may also come with a choice of 12GB or 16GB of RAM. It is likely to be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, which is an upgrade from the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in its predecessor.
Another interesting feature of the Xperia 1 VI is that it will reportedly add a ‘digital signature‘ to images. This will act as a way to verify that the photos were taken with this camera and not changed.
Availability and Pricing
While the Sony Xperia 1 VI is shaping up to be a compelling device for audio enthusiasts and smartphone photographers, it may come at a premium price.
For instance, its predecessor, the Xperia 1 V, starts at $1,399. So, it’s likely that the Xperia 1 VI will be priced similarly or even higher.
As for the launch date, the last two Xperia 1 models were both unveiled on May 11 of their release years. While that exact date is unlikely for the Xperia 1 VI, as it falls on a Saturday in 2024, a mid-May announcement is probable.
However, there will likely be a wait between the announcement date and the on-sale date, as with previous models.
Other Phones With 3.5mm Jack
Sony’s Xperia 1 VI is entering a scene where the headphone jack is often found only in niche or lower-priced devices.
Examples include the ZTE’s Nubia Music Phone and the durable Samsung XCover7.
Some cheaper phones, like the Motorola Moto G84 and the upcoming Punkt MC02, also offer headphone jacks.
While the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra also recently arrived with a 3.5mm port, the Xperia 1 VI will probably be the closest thing to a flagship phone with this feature in 2024.