Why have smartphone manufacturers stopped putting headphones in the box?

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Smartphone makers previously included a lot more in the box of new phones, like charging or power adapters, as well as USB cords and sometimes wired headphones or earbuds. However, companies stopped doing this years ago. At the time, smartphone makers stopped putting chargers in the box because it reduced e-waste, and people already had a ton of power bricks and adapters on hand.

This is precisely why Samsung says it has also stopped including headphones. In an effort to “minimize the impact” of its products on the environment, these inexpensive items are now excluded. Apple did the same when it launched the iPhone 12 in 2020. The general idea is that the items that came in the box were of lower quality than those you could buy separately, leading to increased waste. Consumers still have the option to purchase these items separately if they need them, which is likely also part of their motivation.

Both Samsung and Apple sell high-quality headphones separately, similar to AirPods and Galaxy Buds. Since many of these same manufacturers have stopped including headphone jacks in their flagship models, the wired variety that was previously provided wouldn’t work anyway. What’s interesting is that wired headphones seem to be enjoying a resurgence in popularity as people show a growing interest in retro experiences. Some people turn to wired options, ignoring compatibility issues, and instead use adapters to sync with the latest phones.

You can actually connect headphones, earbuds, and wired headphones to Bluetooth-only devices, like a newer smartphone. To do this, you need a relatively inexpensive adapter called a Bluetooth receiver, a good example being the FiiO BTR11. The FiiO adapter also supports LDAC and high-fidelity audio, meaning your music, podcasts, and other audio files should sound great even over a Bluetooth connection and with hi-res headphones.

Ultimately, you can take any wired headset that has a 3.5mm jack and plug it into the BTR11, connect it to your Bluetooth-only phone, and use it as normal, just like plugging it directly into your phone. Obviously the signal between your phone and the receiver is wireless, but the connection from this little device to your headphones is wired.

This opens up the possibilities of your listening device to a wide range of additional equipment, including vintage options. You can use everything from cheap and affordable wired headphones to expensive pro-grade options with a phone that otherwise wouldn’t support it. Consumer Reports gave Grado a top-rated wired headset that is relevant. And if you want to go more old school than that, you can always take your pick with something like the iPhone 17 or Samsung Galaxy S26.