For the hearing impaired, a headphone jack is a very useful feature as it allows them to use a reliable wired connection for headphones and hearing aids which may lack wireless connectivity. As the wireless trend continues, headphone jacks are becoming increasingly rare, especially in high-end models. Our experts used the PerfectRec decision engine to comb through our phone database and find the best phone for the hearing impaired available in 2023. Here are our top picks.
Our criteria for the best phone for hearing impaired:
Headphone Jack: We focused on phones that have a physical headphone jack to support a wider range of headphones and hearing devices.
To consider others factors, try the PerfectRec decision engine to get your personalized phone recommendation
The Asus Zenfone 10 comes with a plastic body and is priced in the upper midrange. It has a 5.92-inch OLED screen with high refresh rates and a resolution offering good screen quality. Its camera setup provides fair video and poor photo quality, which might be a drawback for those who prioritize photography. The phone supports 5G, has a moderate battery life, and is powered by a competent processor with ample RAM, boosting overall performance. Storage space is standard, and it also features a convenient headphone jack and stereo speakers. However, bear in mind the battery capacity isn't the largest and the plastic construction may not feel as premium as other materials.
The Motorola Edge+ (2023) offers a good balance of features for its midrange price. With a glass body and a large 5100mAh battery, it promises solid battery life, lasting over 9 hours. It sports a 6.67-inch curved OLED display with high brightness and high refresh rate, enhancing visuals. Its triple camera setup, including a 50MP main sensor, provides fair photo and video quality and versatility with HDR10+ video and RAW output. Performance is very good, thanks to 8GB of RAM and the latest Snapdragon chipset. Plus, it retains a 3.5mm headphone jack and supports 5G connectivity. However, if multiple, high-quality cameras are a top priority, you might look into other options as the camera quality is fair, not exceptional.
The Sony Xperia 5 III is a mid-range priced phone featuring a 6.1-inch OLED display. It operates on Android with a glass back, and has 128GB of storage along with expandable storage via an SD card. The battery capacity is solid at 4500mAh and it includes a 3.5mm headphone jack. The camera system supports HDR video and RAW output, but the still photo and video quality are fair, not exceptional. It provides a 120Hz refresh rate for a smooth display experience, and it is equipped with the Snapdragon 888 processor and 8GB of RAM, ensuring good performance for most tasks. The phone also offers features like 5G support, IP68 dust and water resistance, and a side-mounted fingerprint sensor. If you're looking for a phone with a good screen, decent battery life, modern processor, and expandable storage at a mid-range price point, the Xperia 5 III is a noteworthy option.
The Asus Zenfone 9 comes at an upper midrange price, offering a compact form factor with its 5.9-inch OLED display. Its plastic body houses a potent 4300mAh battery, which provides decent battery life but may not be the top choice for heavy users. Camera enthusiasts may find the photo and video qualities to be lackluster, especially if high-quality imagery is a priority, as the device only has a 50MP main camera alongside a 12MP ultrawide camera, without telephoto or periscope lenses. The phone is equipped with a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor paired with 6GB RAM, ensuring good performance. Additional features include a 3.5mm headphone jack and stereo speakers, but it lacks wireless charging. Its Android operating system functions smoothly and the device features a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, but no desktop mode, making it less versatile for productivity tasks. Waterproofing is not specified, and camera enthusiasts may not be satisfied with the overall camera quality. If your focus is on having a solid performer with a manageable screen size and good build quality at a reasonable price, the Zenfone 9 could be a favorable option. However, if you need top-notch camera performance or more robust features like wireless charging, you might want to consider alternatives.
The Motorola Moto G100 is a budget-friendly smartphone featuring a plastic body and a large 6.7-inch LCD screen. It is equipped with a Snapdragon 870 processor and 8GB of RAM, providing good performance for most tasks. The battery capacity is impressive at 5000mAh, which should ensure a long battery life. However, the camera experience may be a limiting factor, as it delivers poor still photo and video quality; if photography is important to you, you may want to consider other options. This phone includes 128GB of storage, a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, and supports a headphone jack and 5G connectivity, which are pluses for connectivity and security. It runs on Android and comes with features like "Ready For" desktop mode, offering versatility in how you use the device. However, keep in mind that it has no wireless charging and no IP rating for dust and water resistance, which might be important for durability and convenience.
The Motorola Moto G Stylus (2022) is a budget-friendly Android phone that comes with a stylus for on-screen note-taking and drawing, offering 128GB of storage and a large 6.8-inch LCD screen. It has a long battery life with a 5000 mAh capacity but comes with an LCD screen, which may not be as vibrant as OLED displays. The camera setup is basic—it’s suitable for simple photography but it doesn't excel in photo or video quality. The phone supports a high refresh rate for smoother scrolling and has a 3.5mm headphone jack. As a budget option, it's heavier and made of plastic, which might not feel as premium.
The Samsung Galaxy A14 comes at a budget price with a plastic body and a 6.6-inch LCD screen without curved edges. It has a 1080p resolution and supports a 90Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling. The phone runs on Android and is powered by a D700 processor with 4GB of RAM, providing fair performance. Its battery life is reasonable, lasting up to about 9 hours on a charge. The Galaxy A14 includes a 3.5mm headphone jack and a USB-C port but lacks wireless charging. Camera capabilities are modest with a 50MP main camera and a 13MP selfie camera; photography and video performance are rated as poor. Despite its shortcomings, it's equipped with a 5G connection, a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, and NFC. The phone does not offer wireless charging or a high rating for dust and water resistance. If you're seeking a budget-friendly device with decent battery life, a large screen, and basic camera functions, the Galaxy A14 is a solid option; however, if camera quality or top-notch performance is a priority, you might need to look at more expensive alternatives.
Pros
Large 6.6-inch screen size
Decent screen resolution of 1080 x 2408
3.5mm headphone jack included
Moderate battery life of over 9 hours
Affordable price point for budget-conscious consumers
The Samsung Galaxy A32 is a budget-friendly Android smartphone with 64GB of storage. It has a plastic body, a large 5000 mAh battery, and a 6.5-inch LCD screen with a modest resolution. The display offers a 90Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling. The phone's camera setup is basic, with a main camera of 48 megapixels and an ultrawide camera of 8 megapixels, but the photo and video quality are considered poor. It includes a 3.5mm headphone jack, NFC capability, and supports expandable storage via an SD card. The phone prioritizes features like battery life and screen size over camera performance and display resolution.
The Samsung Galaxy A42 is a budget-friendly phone released in November 2020, featuring a large 6.6-inch OLED screen, although its vertical and horizontal resolution are lower compared to high-end phones. It runs on Android and has a plastic body. The device offers a generous 5000 mAh battery capacity that should last well through the day but charging might be slower as it doesn't support wireless charging. With 64GB of storage, expandable via an SD card, and 4GB RAM, it's suitable for everyday tasks. The A42 has a satisfactory main camera with 48 megapixels for still photography but has fair camera performance overall. It records up to 4K video at 30fps and supports 5G connectivity. The phone includes handy features like a 3.5mm headphone jack and a fingerprint sensor under the display. If you're looking for a smartphone that covers the essentials without breaking the bank, this model is worth considering.