The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE launched to much fanfare in late 2020, but some of that fanfare dies down when the subject of the headphone jack comes up. The Galaxy S20 FE offers many of the features found in the rest of the S20 range at a lower price. Although it's pared-back in comparison to the regular S20, there's still plenty to like about the S20 FE. It has 5G connectivity, a triple-lens camera, and six different color choices (all of which look fantastic).
Like the other Galaxy S20 phones – and most others now being released – the Galaxy S20 FE does not have a 3.5mm headphone jack. But that doesn't mean consumers can't use traditional headphones with it. While those who already have USB Type-C wired headphones will be good to go, it is also possible to connect headphones that require a 3.5mm jack. All that's needed is a USB-C to 3.5mm headphone jack adapter. Samsung points out that some Type-C adapters may not be compatible, and so advises individuals to check before making a purchase.
Does The Galaxy S20 FE Come With Wired Earbuds?
The full S20 line uses a USB Type-C connector, and naturally the S20 FE natively supports Type-C wired headphones, too. Whereas the S20, S20+, and S20 Ultra all come with headphones in the box, though, the S20 FE does not. As the most affordable device in the range, that's one area in which costs were cut — and it means users must make a choice about how they want to listen via headphones.
The S20 series was the last to come with headphones and even a charging block in the box. Starting with the S21, Samsung dropped the accessories from what's included with the purchase of its smartphones. Apple led the charge in shipping its flagship phones without an included charging block or headphones back in 2020. It’s since become the norm. Samsung does sell USB-C tethered earbuds separately, but they cost $30.
The Galaxy S20 FE Also Works With Bluetooth Headphones
Of course, users no longer need to be tethered to their phones by wired headphones anymore. As one would expect, S20 FE users can listen using wireless Bluetooth headphones. And this is where it gets a little interesting. The Galaxy S20 FE features Samsung's Dual Audio functionality, which means users can connect two Bluetooth audio devices and listen through both at the same time.
In practice, this means users can connect to two Bluetooth speakers each located in a different room, or two people could connect Bluetooth headphones in order to listen to the same music or watch the same movie. The only caveat Samsung gives is that different audio devices may sound slightly different. Needless to say, there's always the option of doing away with headphones and speakers altogether and listening via the S20 FE's stereo speakers. Regardless of how users choose to listen, the sound on the device is tuned by AKG, and there's surround sound support with Dolby Atmos. While the lack of the headphone jack is disappointing, the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE manages to offer ample listening options even without it.
Why The Galaxy S20 FE Doesn't Have A Headphone Jack
The lack of a headphone jack is always annoying given how reliable wired headphones are, but smartphone brands have their own reasons for removing this much-loved port. When the switch to USB-C happened, many assumed that USB-C headphones would eventually replace those with a 3.5mm connector, but that never gained much popularity. Instead, most users migrated to Bluetooth headphones. For brands like Samsung that sell wireless earbuds like the Galaxy Buds series, getting rid of the headphone jack means users have another reason to buy an additional product.
There's also a practical reason for removing the 3.5mm headphone jack on some phones, and that's to aid waterproofing. The Galaxy S20 FE has an IP68 rating that allows it to be submerged in water, and removing an additional port makes the process easier for Samsung. This is the same reason why cheaper models like the Galaxy A53 also miss out on the headphone jack. The Galaxy S20 FE is nearly two years old now, but Samsung has stuck to the practice of eliminating the headphone jack on all its flagship phones that have been released since.
Source: Samsung