No, unfortunately the Galaxy S21 lineup does not include a headphone jack. You‘ll need to use wireless Bluetooth headphones or a USB-C adapter to connect wired headphones.
As a headphone enthusiast myself, I was also disappointed when Samsung decided to remove the beloved 3.5mm audio port starting with the S21 series.
But don‘t worry – with some thoughtful accessories, you can still enjoy high-quality music and calls on these awesome new Galaxy phones.
In this detailed guide, I‘ll cover everything you need to know about using headphones with the Galaxy S21, S21 Plus, and S21 Ultra.
A timeline of the vanishing headphone jack
Before getting into the headphone options for the Galaxy S21, let‘s take a quick historical look at what lead to the demise of the once ubiquitous 3.5mm port:
2008 – The first iPhone launched with a headphone jack, setting the standard for smartphones.
2016 – Apple removes the headphone jack from the iPhone 7, claiming "courage." This controversial change kickstarted the industry shift away from wired ports.
2017 – Early Android phone makers like LeEco and Motorola start launching models without headphone jacks. Google‘s Pixel 2 also ditches the 3.5mm port.
2020 – Samsung finally relents with the Galaxy S20 series, axing the headphone jack after resisting the trend for years.
According to Statista, in 2021 only 22% of smartphone models retained the classic headphone jack. Apple and Samsung dropping the port signaled the death knell for wired audio.
But why did Samsung finally give in after standing their ground for so long? Here are some of the reasons:
Making room for innovation
Removing components frees up valuable internal space for things like bigger batteries, larger camera sensors, and 5G chips.
The headphone jack takes up significant room inside a phone‘s cramped chassis. Losing it allows for more radical design and technology improvements.
Following market trends
By 2020, most competitors had already ditched the port years prior. Not including a headphone jack put Samsung at risk of its phones appearing dated.
Pushing wireless accessories
Samsung likely wants to drive sales of true wireless earbuds like the Galaxy Buds line. Removing the headphone jack forces customers to purchase Bluetooth headphones or USB-C adapters.
Enhanced waterproofing
Sealing the body improves the Galaxy S21‘s water and dust resistance with fewer openings prone to liquid damage.
What is the USB-C headphone adapter needed for the Galaxy S21?
To use regular 3.5mm wired headphones with the Galaxy S21, you‘ll need a USB-C to 3.5mm headphone adapter.
This tiny accessory plugs into the S21‘s USB-C charging port and adds a 3.5mm audio jack to connect your headphones.
Here‘s what to know about using the USB-C headphone adapter with the Galaxy S21:
It allows wired headphones with a 3.5mm plug to function as normal by creating an analog audio output.
Audio quality is very good. You won‘t notice a difference vs a traditional headphone jack.
You cannot charge the phone and use wired headphones at the same time since the adapter occupies the USB-C port.
Make sure to get an adapter designed specifically for the Galaxy S21 to ensure proper fit and audio support.
Here are the best USB-C headphone adapters recommended for the Galaxy S21 series:
| Adapter | Price |
|---|---|
| Samsung Official Headphone Adapter | $12.99 |
| Google USB-C to 3.5mm Adapter | $12.00 |
| Anker Soundance Audio Adapter | $16.99 |
The Samsung and Google branded adapters are made specifically for their own smartphones, including the Galaxy S21.
To use them, simply plug into the S21‘s USB-C port then connect your wired headphones. I‘d suggest keeping the adapter attached semi-permanently if you use wired headphones daily.
Will all Bluetooth headphones work with the Galaxy S21?
Yes, you can use any wireless Bluetooth headphones, earbuds, or speakers with the Galaxy S21 lineup.
Bluetooth audio accessories have become extremely common. According to Statista, over 6 billion Bluetooth audio devices will ship globally in 2022.
For the optimal wireless experience, make sure your headphones support modern Bluetooth 5.0+ versions. All of the latest audio gear is compatible.
Here are some top-rated Bluetooth headphone recommendations for the Galaxy S21:
| Model | Price |
|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 | $149.99 |
| Sony WH-1000XM4 | $348.00 |
| Bose QuietComfort 45 | $329.00 |
| Beats Studio Buds | $149.95 |
Bluetooth headphones and earbuds provide wireless freedom and great sound quality. No adapters necessary – just pair and start listening!
Can you use wireless headphones while charging the Galaxy S21?
A major benefit of Bluetooth headphones compared to wired options is that you can charge the Galaxy S21 normally while listening to audio.
Wireless headphones allow the USB-C port to remain free for charging. Just place the S21 on any Qi wireless charger or plug in a USB-C cable as usual.
You cannot charge the phone while using wired USB-C or 3.5mm analog headphones since they occupy the charging port. Thatmakes Bluetooth the ideal choice for listening on the go without compromising the S21‘s battery life.
Here are the best wired USB-C headphones for the Galaxy S21
While wireless headphones are convenient, some people still prefer the reliability of a wired connection.
The Galaxy S21 supports USB-C headphones that plug directly into the charging port without requiring an adapter.
Keep in mind availability of USB-C headphones is limited compared to ubiquitous 3.5mm models designed for traditional headphone jacks. But here are some good wired USB-C options for the S21:
| Headphones | Price |
|---|---|
| Anker Life P2i | $79.99 |
| OnePlus Type-C Bullets | $24.99 |
| Google USB-C Earbuds | $29.15 |
| AmazonBasics USB-C Earphones | $14.99 |
The benefit of USB-C headphones is avoiding the need for a separate adapter. Just plug them directly into the Galaxy S21‘s charging port and you‘re good to go.
Audio quality is excellent – especially with headphones featuring a built-in DAC for enhanced sound. The OnePlus Bullets are a great example delivering superb audio from a USB-C connection.
Will the Galaxy S21 work with headphone amplifiers?
This is a common question I see from audio enthusiasts concerned about driving high-impedance audiophile headphones.
Unfortunately, the Galaxy S21 cannot function as a headphone amp since it lacks the required amplification circuitry.
Smartphone headphone amps are designed to boost the signal through the 3.5mm jack to accommodate headphones with an impedance of 150 ohms or higher.
With no headphone jack, the Galaxy S21 does not offer any form of headphone amplification. You‘ll need to use a dedicated headphone amp with wired headphones instead.
For example, connecting audiophile headphones like the:
- Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro (250 ohms)
- Sennheiser HD 600 (300 ohms)
To the Galaxy S21 via a basic USB-C adapter would result in lacking volume and dynamics.
A true headphone amp is required to unleash the full potential of high-end headphones with the S21.
Can you use wired and wireless headphones simultaneously?
Unfortunately, wired and wireless headphones cannot be used at the same time with the Galaxy S21.
The phone can only support a single audio output stream over either Bluetooth or USB-C. There is no capability to use both wired and wireless headphones together for a dual listening experience.
For example, you cannot connect Bluetooth earbuds for yourself while a passenger plugs in their wired headphones via USB-C. The Galaxy S21 will only send audio to one or the other.
This limitation applies to all smartphones lacking a dedicated headphone jack. Audio can only be routed to a single output, whether Bluetooth or USB-C.
Do Galaxy S21 cases with headphone jacks exist?
You may have seen dubious phone cases claiming to reinstate a headphone jack on devices like the Galaxy S21 through creative port cutouts.
However, it‘s important to note these headphone jack cases do not actually restore a working 3.5mm audio port. They only provide a convenient cutout to route your headphone cable while still needing a USB-C adapter.
The cases lead to some confusion by appearing to add a headphone jack back to the S21. But it‘s merely an opening for the wired headphone cable and does not enable direct 3.5mm connectivity.
In other words, these special cases are no different functionally than regular cases without a headphone jack opening. You‘ll still need the USB-C adapter either way!
Let‘s compare headphone audio quality: Bluetooth vs USB-C
Sound quality when listening to music is also an important consideration when choosing between wireless Bluetooth vs wired USB-C headphones.
Here is a comparison overview:
Bluetooth
- Convenience of no wires
- Audio compressed using SBC, AAC codecs
- Latency makes video sync less accurate
- Sound quality degraded slightly vs wired connection
USB-C
- Wired reliability
- Lossless digital audio signal
- No compression or latency
- Most accurate representation of sound
- Not limited by battery life
Both options can provide excellent audio quality. However, audiophiles will note that a wired USB-C connection has the edge for flawless hi-res sound reproduction without codec compression.
For most people, modern Bluetooth audio is fantastic and offers freedom of movement. But discerning listeners may want to utilize USB-C headphones if sound quality is the absolute top priority.
Will future Galaxy smartphones include a headphone jack?
The Galaxy S21 series cemented Samsung‘s commitment to excluding the legacy 3.5mm headphone port on all new flagship phones going forward.
Industry analysts and insiders agree that the headphone jack will likely never return on high-end Galaxy devices. The future path is wireless and digital.
Removing components allows for more radical design and taking advantage of space for new technologies. Samsung has clearly shifted focus to Bluetooth headphones.
Of course, wired headphone fans will still have USB-C adapters to leverage their existing gear. But expect future innovations to happen through wireless advancements.
The headphone jack may live on in some mid-range and budget Samsung phones. But flagship Galaxy S and Note models will remain jack-less as the new norm.
Enjoying music on the superb Galaxy S21
While the headphone jack is gone, there are still great options to enjoy audio on Samsung‘s awesome new Galaxy S21 flagship phones.
Bluetooth headphones provide a reliable wireless experience thanks to advanced codecs and near universal compatibility. For critical listening, USB-C wired headsets offer pristine lossless sound.
I hope this guide gave you some helpful advice for using headphones with the Galaxy S21 as an audio enthusiast. Let me know if you have any other questions!
