Sony Xperia 1 VIII could keep the 3.5 mm headphone jack

With most smartphone makers having all but retired the headphone jack, Sony may be preparing to go against the tide with its next handset. Wired headphones still bring clear benefits: stronger audio quality, lower latency for video games, and better protection against certain eavesdropping risks.

Sony’s smartphone volumes are tiny compared with Apple or Samsung, but the brand remains active in the market. One upcoming model could stand out by reviving a once-essential feature that has gradually disappeared: a 3.5 mm headphone jack for headsets and earphones. While the majority of brands have shifted to Bluetooth for audio, the Xperia 1 VIII could still include a wired port-at least according to a recent report from Android Authority.

An FCC document mentioned by Android Authority

At this stage, nothing is official. Even so, Android Authority points to another outlet that reportedly found a filing from the FCC (the US telecommunications regulator) that may relate to the future Xperia 1 VIII.

The document is said to reveal little about the phone’s overall design or broader specifications. However, it would indicate that the device includes a headphone jack.

Since when did the headphone jack disappear?

To understand how the headphone port vanished from mainstream smartphones, you have to go back to 2016 and the launch of Apple’s iPhone 7. That year, Apple made the bold decision to drop a feature that had been central to everyday phone use-at a time when video streaming was becoming even more widespread, alongside music and podcasts. The move still set a trend.

A year later, Android manufacturers followed suit. Google itself helped push the shift by releasing the second generation of its then-new handset, the Pixel 2, without the jack. After that, other brands copied the approach, particularly on their flagship devices. In fact, premium smartphones are still the segment most resistant to bringing the jack back, while cheaper models continue to use it as a selling point.

Why a 3.5 mm jack on a smartphone is better

As always, it is worth treating this cautiously because the claim has not been confirmed by Sony. Still, a headphone jack could be enough to sway some buyers towards this future Sony Xperia rather than an iPhone, a Samsung, and so on. Bluetooth earphones have genuine strengths, but they do not fully replace a wired connection.

Many people prefer a wired headset or earphones to get better audio quality. For gamers, these accessories can deliver lower latency. And for anyone worried about call privacy, using wired earphones instead of Bluetooth also reduces the risk of interception. On the other hand, when brands started removing the jack around ten years ago, they gained internal space-helping with battery capacity, slimness, and water resistance.

Wired headphones are slowly coming back into fashion

Even so, while the industry has largely moved away from wired audio for headphones and headsets, these connections are gradually returning to popularity. Sony may be looking to ride that renewed interest.