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Comment by bigstrat2003

2 days ago

I would love a Fairphone, but no headphone jack is a nonstarter for me. Still blows me away that a company saying they are focused on longevity would get rid of a universal audio interface that we've had for decades. In the article they claim it's to fit other features in, but frankly that's not a believable claim. Other manufacturers manage to get a headphone jack in just fine, without any noticeable downside.

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bigstrat2003

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ValdikSS  2 days ago

The headphone jack is inside USB-C connector. You can use USB-C-to-3.5mm passive (!) cable to connect your 3.5mm headphones, or you can buy 3.5mm headphones with USB-C audio connection.

There's no additional DAC involved, the analog audio is already on a USB-C pins.

mdp2021  2 days ago

I absolutely concour about the need of a headphone jack - I do not buy anything without it. So,

> to fit other features in

what exactly, one would ask. If there are tradeoffs, if would be nice if the customers can decide what to have, in a modular product.

  • prmoustache  2 days ago

    At this point headphones with an usb-c connection have become nearly as common as 3.5mm trs ones. Additionally you can permamently hook a small usb-c dac with 3.5mm trs output to the headphones of your choice.

    Only issue is some very cheap ones are actually bluetooth headphones in disguise where the usb-c connection only exist to power the bt recepter inside the headphone. I find this completely stupid.

    • mdp2021  2 days ago

      I tried the "jack to USB-C" in the only product I was forced to that needed it: an unthinkable battery drain.

  • neobrain  2 days ago

    > If there are tradeoffs, if would be nice if the customers can decide what to have, in a modular product.

    A "modular product" has tradeoffs in and of itself (such as size, price, water resistance, …), which presumably would not fly for a majority of customers.

    • sellmesoap  1 day ago

      Yes, the water resistance is what keeps my phone from dying if I go for a hike in the rain or a small splashy boat ride, replacing the water damaged motherboard isn't as sustainable as buying a used flagship phone from an earlier time.

coldpie  2 days ago

Given how severely that hard requirement restricts your available options, I'd suggest adapting to the USB-C audio world. No, it's not as nice as a headphone jack. But it is a relatively small con to just stick an adapter onto the ends of your 3.5mm devices and replace it a few times a year when it breaks. And yes, you can get a "charge and listen at the same time" adapter.

artisinal  2 days ago

Serial is a universal data interface that we've had for decades. Don't need RS232 on my phone though.