Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Mobile
  3. Guides

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

Does the Google Pixel 8a have a headphone jack?

By

A render of the Google Pixel 8a in its porcelain color, showing the front and back of the phone.
Google

The Google Pixel 8a is the latest and greatest in Google’s midrange A-series smartphone lineup. It costs an affordable $499, but boasts many features that make Pixel phones so popular, including great camera hardware, a Tensor G3 chip, and a 120Hz refresh rate on its 6.1-inch OLED display. All of this makes it a great option for most people who aren’t looking for cutting-edge specs.

Recommended Videos

However, you might be wondering if it comes with a headphone jack so you can use it with wired earbuds. Smartphone manufacturers have increasingly eliminated this feature in favor of pushing customers to their own line of Bluetooth earbuds and headphones. Does this also apply to the Pixel 8a? Here’s the deal.

Related

Does the Pixel 8a have a headphone jack?

Someone taking a phone call on the aloe Google Pixel 8a.
Google

We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the Pixel 8a does not have a headphone jack. This shouldn’t be too much of a surprise since the Pixel 6a got rid of the headphone jack, and the Pixel 7a didn’t have it either.

This is an increasingly common phenomenon in the phone market after Apple started the trend by removing the headphone jack on the iPhone in 2016. Since then, Android manufacturers like Samsung and Google have followed suit, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a headphone jack on any device these days aside from maybe budget phones.

On the other hand, the Pixel 8a has a lot to make up for the lack of a headphone jack, as it comes with a 64-megapixel main camera, a 13MP ultrawide camera, and a 13MP selfie camera. You also get a variety of camera features, including Super Res Zoom and Night Sight. The Pixel 8a also has AI and Pixel features like Circle to Search, Gemini Assistant, Call Assist, Live Translate, and seven years of OS upgrades and security patches.

The best Pixel 8a earbud options

Pixel Buds Pro in their case.
Phil Nickinson / Digital Trends

The Pixel 8a has Bluetooth, so pretty much any Bluetooth wireless headphones and earbuds should work with it. You can also pick up a pair of Google’s own Pixel Buds Pro or Pixel Buds A-Series. True wireless earbuds are great if you’re a more active person and want something unobtrusive to take to the gym, on a run, or any other activity where you want to be on the move without being tethered.

But if you refuse to give in and jump on the wireless earbud train, you still have the option of using your old wired earbuds; you’ll just need to pick up a 3.5mm-to-USB-C dongle adapter. This will fill up your USB-C port, so you won’t be able to charge and listen at the same time, but it will let you use your regular wired earbuds or headphones without being compelled to upgrade.

Preorders for the Pixel 8a start Tuesday, May 7, and the device will be available for regular sales starting Tuesday, May 14. It starts at $499.

Editors’ Recommendations

Topics
Ajay Kumar
Ajay Kumar
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Ajay has worked in tech journalism for more than a decade as a reporter, analyst, and editor.
Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold leak unravels old looks, and that’s okay
Side profile of leaked Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold renders.

Google is still months away from the launch of fresh smartphone hardware in the Pixel 10 series. But it seems the company will focus more on internal refinements than aesthetic makeovers this year. Or at least that’s what it looks like from the recent string of leaks, which now include the next-gen Pixel foldable phone, as well. 

The folks over at Android Headlines have shared what they claim to be product renders of the upcoming Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold. The leak doesn’t add any details about the internal hardware, but it notes that the device will be pricier than its predecessor. 

Read more
Here’s when you can buy the Google Pixel 9a
Alleged depiction of Google Pixel 9a.

After a tidal wave of rumors and leaks, the Google Pixel 9a saw an official announcement earlier this month — and now we know it will be available for purchase on April 10 in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada. On April 14, the Pixel 9a will make its way to an additional 23 European countries, before finally arriving in India, Singapore, Taiwan, and Malaysia on April 16.

This midrange budget handset will start at $499 for the 128GB model, with a bump up to $599 for the 256GB model. It has a 6.3-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate, paired with a maximum brightness of 2700 nits. That means you'll be able to use it in direct sunlight without worrying about visibility.

Read more
Use the Pixel Timer for easier selfies and group shots
google pixel 9 pro xl review back hazel 1

Do you find using awkward selfie sticks unbearable? Are you tired of rushing to beat the camera timer when setting up a group shot? If you own a Pixel, there’s a surprisingly simple alternative tool available: your hand.

With the built-in “Pixel Timer,” you can make group photos and selfies much more effortless. Instead of fumbling with a complicated setup or racing against the clock, signal the phone with your hand.

Read more