![]() ![]() There’s no stylus either, and the LCD screen has a 90-Hz refresh rate. You do get 256 GB of internal storage and a MicroSD slot to expand space. And there’s no NFC support, so you can’t pay with your phone. It runs almost as well as the Stylus 5G, but the camera system is worse. The Moto G 5G is smaller and cheaper, but it’s the lesser phone. It’ll sadly only get one OS upgrade (up to Android 13) but three years of security updates, and it has lackluster cameras and poor water resistance (it’ll be fine in rain). With its 6.8-inch LCD screen, it’s on the large end for a phone, but it supports a 120-Hz refresh rate, and there’s a built-in stylus you can pull out to doodle or sign documents. The Moto G Stylus 5G is powerful, has nearly two-day battery life, supports NFC for contactless payments ( rare for a Motorola), and comes with 256 GB of storage, so you’re getting a ton of storage. Before you buy, I strongly recommend waiting for a sale, as Motorola discounts its phones often. You can read more about them in my review, but here’s a brief summary. Motorola releases tons of phones each year, but these two are standouts for 2022. Oh, and it won't work on Verizon, just AT&T and T-Mobile. The only few downsides are the lack of wireless charging, and Asus is only promising two years of updates, which is one of the worst software update policies these days. The camera system is OK-there's nothing groundbreaking here-though they do have some great video stabilization if you frequently find yourself filming while moving around. The headphone jack is here and you'll also be happy with the loud output from the stereo speakers. It even has this fun texture on the back that makes it a pleasure to hold and use. That's without mentioning the day and a half of battery life, the bright, 120-Hz AMOLED screen, and IP68 water resistance. It's powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 flagship chipset, so it's got all the horsepower to run your favorite apps and games. At just 5.9 inches, it's one of the most compact Android smartphones out there, yet it doesn't skimp on performance. I love this tiny Asus phone ( 7/10, WIRED Recommends). The only downside is the lack of an IP rating, so be careful around water. The Galaxy A14 5G will get two OS upgrades and four years of security patches-hard to find on a phone so cheap. ![]() Most impressive is Samsung's commitment to software updates. The battery easily lasts two full days on a single charge, and you get niceties like a MicroSD card slot, a reliable fingerprint scanner, NFC so you can tap to pay at retailers, and of course, the headphone jack. It might have three cameras on the back, but only the 50-MP main camera is really usable it offers decent daytime photos and passable low-light images. The 90-Hz refresh rate is a nice touch that makes every operation feel fluid, and the LCD 1080p screen is adequate. The MediaTek Dimensity 700 chip inside has been crushing it-apps launch quickly, there are rarely any stutters, and even lightweight games like Alto's Odyssey and Dead Cells run smoothly. This 6.6-inch Android phone has a textured back that gives it a bit more character than most cheap phones. That's why Samsung's Galaxy A14 5G ( 9/10, WIRED Recommends) takes the top spot in this guide. With the Pixel A-series line no longer featuring a headphone jack, it's getting harder to find a jack-of-all-trades smartphone with a 3.5-mm port that doesn't cost an arm and a leg and supports all the major US carriers. Subscriptions help fund the work we do every day. This includes unlimited access to and our print magazine (if you'd like). Special offer for Gear readers: Get a 1-year subscription to WIRED for $5 ($25 off). Updated March 2023: We've added the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G. Read our Best Android Phones and Best Cheap Phones guides for more. After testing dozens of smartphones, these are the best with the venerable port. There are times when Bluetooth is preferable, but it’s nice to at least have the option. No batteries to charge, no dongles to attach, no earbuds to lose. You can use pretty much any pair of corded headphones-no need to worry about whether they’re Lightning or USB-C or whether the connectivity will blip in and out. The joy of the 3.5-mm headphone connector is that it’s one of the few truly universal standards left. Yes, you can get excellent wireless earbuds nowadays, but maybe you prefer plugging in, or you just don't want to think about charging your headphones. It’s been nearly seven years since Apple removed the headphone jack from the iPhone. ![]()
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