Poll does the lack of headphone jack turn you off buying a new LeEco device?

Yesterday LeTV launched 3 new phones all with good specs and pricing but all lacking a headphone jack. Is that detail enough to stop you from buying?

There has been a lot of chatter this year that Apple might drop the 3.5mm headphone jack on the iPhone 7 in an attempt to make their phone slimmer and move everyone over to lightning port earphones.

We’ll LeTV have already beaten Apple to the punch with the launch of the Le2, Le Pro 2 and Le Max 2 phones yesterday. Each of the new phones lacks a 3.5mm headphone jack, but the choice isn’t to make a thinner phone but offer better audio.

To be honest this is not the first time a phone has launched without an earphone jack (remember Oppo’s attempt last year?) but this is the first time a manufacturer has done this across a range of phones.

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LeEco will be bundling a Type C adapter with the new phones so you can still use your current headphones, but this does mean you cannot charge your phone and listen to music, and also means you need another piece of kit with you when traveling.

A move away from 3.5mm headphone jacks has been on the cards for a while now, and now that it is here will we embrace the change or does the lack of jack turn you off?

[poll id=”6″]

Disclaimer: We may be compensated by some of the companies whose products we talk about, but our articles and reviews are always our honest opinions. For more details, you can check out our editorial guidelines and learn about how we use affiliate links.

About the author

Andi

Nah, i could live with it. Small battery bother me;)
quodvadis
April 21, 2016
lol those poll options really show your stance on this.
No, I am happy to try something new.
This isn’t something “new”, this is simply manufacturers scheme to maximize profit.
You CAN have the “new standard” along with 3.5mm jack just fine in a single phone. But of course it’ll cost them big companies more money than tricking their sheep that it’s an “innovation” rather than feature-culling lol.
- Assefa Hanson
  April 21, 2016
  since when did manufacturers not try to maximize profits? btw headphone jacks is really old technology
  - quodvadis
    April 21, 2016
    And there are many way to do that.
    By the way, the best headphones in the world still use TRS as its default option (with Balanced too of course). Of course it’s probably out of your realm.
    - Assefa Hanson
      April 21, 2016
      and how does that defend your statement that manufacuters have not always been maximizing profits or that headphone jacks are old technology?
      - quodvadis
        April 21, 2016
        When did I ever say that manufacturers have not always been about maximizing profits?
        And why does being “old technology” matter?
        Talking to you is a waste of time lol.
        
        Assefa Hanson
        April 21, 2016
        you said this movement is” this is simply manufacturers scheme to maximize profit” you spoke like it is a REVELATION, by default manufacturers will scheme to maximize profits, so i thought that point was meaningless
        i made the point on it being OLD technology to say it is reasonable grounds for something new to replace it just like VGA vs HDMI, or its at the very least grounds to THINK of replacing it
        talking to me is a waste of time? but you put effort to tell me this? put that into action if you value your time then dont reply to this comment
        
        quodvadis
        April 21, 2016
        lol you’re free to take what I said anyway you want, even getting bent over it, I’m laughing over here. how you even miss my point, not sure if you’re being purposely obtuse or simply that much lol.
        what grounds? THAT flawed comparison? this digital thing (which is the same exact thing as the dac in your phone, just that it’s an external unit now) is simply a money-saving scheme, not anything revolutionary. if you still don’t understand then whatever lol. don’t think that it’ll go the way you want it though (or rather, you’re free to think so, I don’t care either way as it won’t affect me at all hahahaha).
        no no, i found out that it could be amusing. your response is lol.
        lildwell
        May 1, 2016
        The wheel is old technology. Forks are old technology. Spoons are old technology. We continue to use old technology everyday. Also, you misunderstood what the guy meant by they are simply maximizing profits. There are good ways to maximize profits and bad ways to maximize profits. One good way to maximize profits is to introduce a product that gives a great functionality to the consumer. Another good way to maximize profits is to create a great quality product. A bad way to maximize profits is to reduce functionality of your products to save money. Another bad way is to try to trick the consumer using buzzwords and marketing. What Leeco is doing so far seems to be the latter option. Doing this does not improve the product whatsoever. It removes basic functionality.

Tremaine Underwood
April 21, 2016
I kinda think you need another option there like
No, I think removing it sucks donkey balls, but at that price I don’t care
Or something to that affect 🙂
geon
April 21, 2016
“Yes, I already have some great 3.5mm headphones and don’t want to change” <— Actually it has an adaptor so the 3.5mm headphones dont go to waste.
- MattD
  April 21, 2016
  Yes, but you’ll have to buy it separately because, as always, resellers will steal it from the box, and that’s some extra money you was not supposed to spend!
  - geon
    April 21, 2016
    Your remark is irrelevant, I was talking about the use of a 3.5mm headphone which is possible in contradiction to the poll’s insinuation.
- VMortens
  April 21, 2016
  Adapter? A construction like that would get broken to pieces during the first day.
  It’s a NO.
  - geon
    April 21, 2016
    - VMortens
      April 21, 2016
      Imagine the length of your headphones connector, add adapter to it and thinks about how it’ll keep getting pressed in your pocket – some part of this combo will brake.
      - geon
        April 22, 2016
        I’ll will be testing this very soon so i will get back to you with the results.
        
        VMortens
        April 22, 2016
        I already have, long time ago, before producers started using 3.5mm jack as standard, so you don’t have to.
        Didn’t like it at all – don’t wanna come back there.
- Allanitomwesh
  April 21, 2016
  What happens when you want to charge/transfer files/use a USB function like OTG at the same time?
  - Blatt Ferenc
    April 22, 2016
    It is a pain in the butt
  - geon
    April 22, 2016
    Obviously you cant! But fast charge can make things a little bit easier.
    - Allanitomwesh
      April 22, 2016
      Then I’ll just pass. The phone isn’t even thin enough to justify removing it. (Vivo,at 5mm,kept the jack)
      My opinion is they did it so you have to go to them for adapters/compatible headphones. It’s a greedy business move.
MattD
April 21, 2016
As always, companies give you less and claim they’re giving you more… Kinda reminds me of samsung with s6 “no, microsd are slow, so we’re getting rid of it so you can have a faster internal memory! It’s a great feature!”… Some months ahead and they’re like “we’re putting a microsd reader on s7, so you can have much more freedom in whatever you’re doing… That’s a great feature, unlike what apple does!”. In this case, letv is willing to sell its own headphones… But that’s hardly a trick that is going to work that well…

E8hffff
April 21, 2016
Poll didn’t work for me. They should have put both options during the change over from one standard to the new. Without the 3.5mm jack it will help to manufacture the circuit boards quicker and slightly cheaper.
Twister12
April 21, 2016
Without 3.55mm jack is the future & I will buy one eventually but not with LeTv phones. Unless of course they will invest more on their OS and not just their looks.

Assefa Hanson
April 21, 2016
POOR growing pains people, its hard to change BUT you will HAVE to accept it people really dont like change lol
- quodvadis
  April 21, 2016
  manufacturers also have to accept that not everything will always go their way.
  this ‘hate change’ mantra is always the go-to mantra of every sheep out there though, it never got old in the sheep’s mind lol.
- Airyl
  April 24, 2016
  There’s no point to this. It’s change for the sake of change, and nothing more.
- lildwell
  May 7, 2016
  You don’t HAVE to accept anything. People COULD vote this bs down by not buying this crap. Its sad that most are just consumerist sheep that accept rape. At least video gamers are smart enough to fight back. Made Microsoft get rid of that stupid kinect always has to be on shite.

Allanitomwesh
April 21, 2016
I already have awesome headphones. Are there headphones with this level of awesome with a Type C end? No? Too soon LeTV. Too soon.
MUG3NHC
April 21, 2016
Nah, i could live with it. Small battery bother me;)

quodvadis
April 21, 2016
lol those poll options really show your stance on this.
“No, I am happy to try something new.”This isn’t something “new”, this is simply manufacturers scheme to maximize profit.
You CAN have the “new standard” along with 3.5mm jack just fine in a single phone. But of course it’ll cost them big companies more money than simply tricking their sheep that it’s an “innovation” rather than feature-culling it actually is lol.
- Assefa Hanson
  April 21, 2016
  since when did manufacturers not try to maximize profits? btw headphone jacks is really old technology
- quodvadis
  April 21, 2016
  And there are many way to do that.
  By the way, the best headphones in the world still use TRS as its default option (with Balanced too of course). Of course it’s probably out of your realm.
- Assefa Hanson
  April 21, 2016
  and how does that defend your statement that manufacuters have not always been maximizing profits or that headphone jacks are old technology?
- quodvadis
  April 21, 2016
  When did I ever say that manufacturers have not always been about maximizing profits?
  And why does being “old technology” matter?
  Talking to you is a waste of time lol.
- Assefa Hanson
  April 21, 2016
  you said this movement is” this is simply manufacturers scheme to maximize profit” you spoke like it is a REVELATION, by default manufacturers will scheme to maximize profits, so i thought that point was meaningless
  i made the point on it being OLD technology to say it is reasonable grounds for something new to replace it just like VGA vs HDMI, or its at the very least grounds to THINK of replacing it
  talking to me is a waste of time? but you put effort to tell me this? put that into action if you value your time then dont reply to this comment
- quodvadis
  April 21, 2016
  lol you’re free to take what I said anyway you want, even getting bent over it, I’m laughing over here. how you even miss my point, not sure if you’re being purposely obtuse or simply that much lol.
  what grounds? THAT flawed comparison? this digital thing (which is the same exact thing as the dac in your phone, just that it’s an external unit now) is simply a money-saving scheme, not anything revolutionary. if you still don’t understand then whatever lol. don’t think that it’ll go the way you want it though (or rather, you’re free to think so, I don’t care either way as it won’t affect me at all hahahaha).
  no no, i found out that it could be amusing. your response that is lol.
- lildwell
  May 2, 2016
  The wheel is old technology. Forks are old technology. Spoons are old technology. We continue to use old technology everyday. Also, you misunderstood what the guy meant by they are simply maximizing profits. There are good ways to maximize profits and bad ways to maximize profits. One good way to maximize profits is to introduce a product that gives a great functionality to the consumer. Another good way to maximize profits is to create a great quality product. A bad way to maximize profits is to reduce functionality of your products to save money. Another bad way is to try to trick the consumer using buzzwords and marketing. What Leeco is doing so far seems to be the latter option. Doing this does not improve the product whatsoever. It removes basic functionality.

Tremaine Underwood
April 21, 2016
I kinda think you need another option there like
No, I think removing it sucks donkey balls, but at that price I don’t care
Or something to that affect 🙂
geon
April 21, 2016
“Yes, I already have some great 3.5mm headphones and don’t want to change” <— Actually it has an adapter so the 3.5mm headphones dont go to waste.
- MattD
  April 21, 2016
  Yes, but you’ll have to buy it separately because, as always, resellers will steal it from the box, and that’s some extra money you was not supposed to spend!
- VMortens
  April 21, 2016
  Adapter? A construction like that would get broken to pieces during the first day.
  It’s a NO.
- geon
  April 21, 2016
  That doesn’t sound like LeEco. Their products are premium, owner of x800 pro myself.
- geon
  April 21, 2016
  Your remark is irrelevant, I was talking about the use of a 3.5mm headphone which is possible in contradiction to the poll’s insinuation.
- Allanitomwesh
  April 21, 2016
  What happens when you want to charge/transfer files/use a USB function like OTG at the same time?
- VMortens
  April 21, 2016
  Imagine the length of your headphones connector, add adapter to it and think about how it’ll keep getting pressed in your pocket – some part of this combo will brake.
- Blatt Ferenc
  April 22, 2016
  It is a pain in the butt
- geon
  April 22, 2016
  Obviously you cant! But fast charge can make things a little bit easier.
- geon
  April 22, 2016
  I’ll will be testing this very soon so i will get back to you with the results.
- Allanitomwesh
  April 22, 2016
  Then I’ll just pass. The phone isn’t even thin enough to justify removing it. (Vivo,at 5mm,kept the jack)
  My opinion is they did it so you have to go to them for adapters/compatible headphones. It’s a greedy business move.
- VMortens
  April 22, 2016
  I already have, long time ago, before producers started using 3.5mm jack as standard, so you don’t have to.
  Didn’t like it at all – don’t wanna come back there.
MattD
April 21, 2016
As always, companies give you less and claim they’re giving you more… Kinda reminds me of samsung with s6 “no, microsd are slow, so we’re getting rid of it so you can have a faster internal memory! It’s a great feature!”… Some months ahead and they’re like “we’re putting a microsd reader on s7, so you can have much more freedom in whatever you’re doing… That’s a great feature, unlike what apple does!”. In this case, letv is willing to sell its own headphones… But that’s hardly a trick that is going to work that well…

E8hffff
April 21, 2016
Poll didn’t work for me. They should have put both options during the change over from one standard to the new. Without the 3.5mm jack it will help to manufacture the circuit boards quicker and slightly cheaper.

Dave Weinstein
April 21, 2016
Honestly who cares. LeEco “launched” the Max Pro in January at CES, but the never shipped it. What’s the point of launching phones if you’re not going to sell any of them.
As to the statement “A move away from 3.5mm headphone jacks has been on the cards for a while now…”, that’s only Apple, who wants to collect a license fee from ANY manufacturer that plugs something into an iPhone. It’s not a benefit to the consumer in any way, and should be considered “the thing to do” or the “right” thing under any circumstances.
Removing the 3.5mm jack and doubling up on use of the USB port didn’t require a USB Type-C connector, it could have been done at any time. The reason why it wasn’t is because you wouldn’t be able to charge, or plug into a data host or anything while using a headset, and that is just too much of a sacrifice of functionality.
- Mr.Flying Zoom3rz
  April 25, 2016
  They just showed the phone to the world. They don’t told us they’re going to sell it via retailer’s stores immediately.
  - April 27, 2016
    Actually, it appears that they’ve superseded the Max Pro with these new phones… and all of the new ones are smaller than 6″.

Twister12
April 21, 2016
Without 3.55mm jack is the future & I will buy one eventually but not with LeTv phones. Unless of course they will invest more on their OS and not just their looks.
Assefa Hanson
April 21, 2016
POOR growing pains people, its hard to change BUT you will HAVE to accept it people really dont like change lol
- quodvadis
  April 21, 2016
  manufacturers also have to accept that not everything will always go their way.
  this ‘hate change’ mantra is always the go-to mantra of every sheep out there though, it never got old in the sheep’s mind lol.
- Airyl
  April 24, 2016
  There’s no point to this. It’s change for the sake of change, and nothing more.
- lildwell
  May 8, 2016
  You don’t HAVE to accept anything. People COULD vote this bs down by not buying this crap. Its sad that most are just consumerist sheep that accept rape. At least video gamers are smart enough to fight back. Made Microsoft get rid of that stupid kinect always has to be on shite.

Frederick Micallef
April 21, 2016
a 3.55mm jack is convenient but it doesn’t put me off. I’d use bluetooth and if anything i can use a bluetooth aux adapter to connect my usual ear buds and still use them while being connected to bluetooth.
Allanitomwesh
April 21, 2016
I already have awesome headphones. Are there headphones with this level of awesome with a Type C end? No? Too soon LeTV. Too soon.

Steven Fox
April 21, 2016
They should offer wireless earbuds with the phone then. What good is a smartphone without proper headphones and mic?

Dave Weinstein
April 21, 2016
Honestly who cares. LeEco “launched” the Max Pro in January at CES, but the never shipped it. What’s the point of launching phones if you’re not going to sell any of them.
As to the statement “A move away from 3.5mm headphone jacks has been on the cards for a while now…”, that’s only Apple, who wants to collect a license fee from ANY manufacturer that plugs something into an iPhone. It’s not a benefit to the consumer in any way, and should be considered “the thing to do” or the “right” thing under any circumstances.
Removing the 3.5mm jack and doubling up on use of the USB port didn’t require a USB Type-C connector, it could have been done at any time. The reason why it wasn’t is because you wouldn’t be able to charge, or plug into a data host or anything while using a headset, and that is just too much of a sacrifice of functionality.
- Mr.Flying Zoom3rz
  April 25, 2016
  They just showed the phone to the world. They don’t told us they’re going to sell it via retailer’s stores immediately.
- Dave Weinstein
  April 27, 2016
  Actually, it appears that they’ve superseded the Max Pro with these new phones… and all of the new ones are smaller than 6″.

Frederick Micallef
April 21, 2016
a 3.55mm jack is convenient but it doesn’t put me off. I’d use bluetooth and if anything i can use a bluetooth aux adapter to connect my usual ear buds and still use them while being connected to bluetooth.
Steven Fox
April 21, 2016
They should offer wireless earbuds with the phone then. What good is a smartphone without proper headphones and mic?

AtereJr
April 21, 2016
The battery seems fairly okay for me and with some software optimisations, get to wow. I mean come on, we’ve seen worse capacities with top dogs like Apple and Samsung but that alone shouldn’t wreck a deal. Also the 3.5mm being abandoned hardly bothers me, and I’m sure there are plenty more people that feel the same.
Lastly, those pricing alone are a miracle when u consider what u are getting.

LastoftheBrunnen_G
April 21, 2016
We don’t need thinner phones, we need phones with batteries that don’t require us to recharge them in the middle of the day after heavy use.
Bluetooth is nice for the gym or jogging but isn’t sufficient to replace actual corded headphones. No stupid Bluetooth headset will ever sound as good as a pair of Sennheiser HD558/598’s not even the Bose crap they sell for $300.
- Mr.Flying Zoom3rz
  April 25, 2016
  Agree. Typed this while recharging my K3 Note in the train at 13:00, after playing heavy game for 1.30h. Ridiculous. The battery is now @40%

AtereJr
April 21, 2016
The battery seems fairly okay for me and with some software optimisations, get to wow. I mean come on, we’ve seen worse capacities with top dogs like Apple and Samsung but that alone shouldn’t wreck a deal. Also the 3.5mm being abandoned hardly bothers me, and I’m sure there are plenty more people that feel the same.
Lastly, those pricing alone are a miracle when u consider what u are getting.

LastoftheBrunnen_G
April 21, 2016
We don’t need thinner phones, we need phones with batteries that don’t require us to recharge them in the middle of the day after heavy use.
Bluetooth is nice for the gym or jogging but isn’t sufficient to replace actual corded headphones. No stupid Bluetooth headset will ever sound as good as a pair of Sennheiser HD558/598’s not even the Bose crap they sell for $300.
- Mr.Flying Zoom3rz
  April 25, 2016
  Agree. Typed this while recharging my K3 Note in the train at 13:00, after playing heavy game for 1.30h. Ridiculous. The battery is now @40%

Karly Johnston
April 22, 2016
I am not against USB headphones but until it becomes standard you need to keep the 3.5 jack.
- Blatt Ferenc
  April 22, 2016
  Its not just that. You can’t listen to music while charging or using otg. I had a samsung corby. That phine also had only one connector and believe me it is a pain in the butt!
  - Karly Johnston
    April 22, 2016
  - thebestgr
    May 12, 2016
    Same goes for my HTC touch pro. The all in one connector made me buy a 30$ adapter
- AbdulB1
  April 22, 2016
  The real stupidity here is no one has defined any standards. but separate standards like qualcomm and media tek both made for quick charging are not compatible with each other and since usb type-c they will be replaced soon.

TheOracle
April 22, 2016
- AbdulB1
  April 22, 2016
sai bhagavan
April 22, 2016
once you accept them….then they will dance and you have to watch…..LeEco….this is not fair…..

Enigma
April 22, 2016
What LeEco have basically done with Le 2, Le 2 Pro & Le Max 2 is to disable the internal crappy audio codec pack (performs digital to analog conversion) that comes with all Snapdragon & MediaTek chipsets and route that digital audio signal through USB Type-C. But as headphone/ earphone speakers are analog in nature there is a definite need for digital to analog signal conversion somewhere within the audio chain. Generally audiophile centric phones have digital to analog conversion hardware embedded inside their phone, using quality DACs + op-amps + headphone amplifiers. Finally analog audio signal is available through 3.5mm female audio jack of the phone on which speakers operate. This gives the user complete freedom to use any headphone he/she wants.
LeEco’s intention is to built an ecosystem around its phones. You buy there phone so now you are bound to buy their headphones. More sell more profit, just like Apple Inc. So none of their current trio of phones can be labeled as audio centric as their is no discrete audio hardware inside their phones. Rather LeEco had made the DACs + op-amps + headphone amplifiers available outside their phones and inside their headphones which is strange as no audiophile headphone manufacturer follows this route.
There is a big question mark regarding the audio quality LeEco headphones have on offer? Any audiophile will first ask what are the DACs + op-amps + headphone amplifiers used inside their headphones? How the power to these hardware are regulated from phone? What are the materials used inside the headphone speakers? LeEco have not provided any information regarding this other than stating they have “solid bass”.
To any audiophile “solid bass” = “solid fail”.
- Pedro Peter
  April 22, 2016
  only ppl will buy it who has no intention use mobile as music player.. so older ppl
  youngsters will defo not buy it..or will buy only those who accept those basic earphones from box..
  - Enigma
    April 22, 2016
- James
  May 3, 2016
  100% correct – and anyone who doesn’t want to use the 3.5mm port on their phone, will generally use the micro-USB port on the phone to pass to their portable DAC (something like a FiiO E18 or Meridian Explorer etc etc).
  Most of the phones I buy, have fairly decent hardware in anyway, so I don’t find the extra kit necessary – critical listening is something I generally do at home and not on a mobile phone!
  I just don’t see the point of what LeEco are doing – this will prob just alienate customers.

Karly Johnston
April 22, 2016
I am not against USB headphones but until it becomes standard you need to keep the 3.5 jack.
- Blatt Ferenc
  April 22, 2016
  Its not just that. You can’t listen to music while charging or using otg. I had a samsung corby. That phine also had only one connector and believe me it is a pain in the butt!
- Karly Johnston
  April 22, 2016
  Good points
- AbdulB1
  April 22, 2016
  The real stupidity here is no one has defined any standards. but separate standards like qualcomm and media tek both made for quick charging are not compatible with each other and since usb type-c they will be replaced soon.
- thebestgr
  May 12, 2016
  Same goes for my HTC touch pro. The all in one connector made me buy a 30$ adapter

TheOracle
April 22, 2016
- AbdulB1
  April 22, 2016
sai bhagavan
April 22, 2016
once you accept them….then they will dance and you have to watch…..LeEco….this is not fair…..
Enigma
April 22, 2016
What LeEco have basically done with Le 2, Le 2 Pro & Le Max 2 is to disable the internal crappy audio codec pack (performs digital to analog conversion) that comes with all Snapdragon & MediaTek chipsets and route that digital audio signal through USB Type-C. But as headphone/ earphone speakers are analog in nature there is a definite need for digital to analog signal conversion somewhere within the audio chain. Generally audiophile centric phones have digital to analog conversion hardware embedded inside their phone, using quality DACs + op-amps + headphone amplifiers. Finally analog audio signal is available through 3.5mm female audio jack of the phone on which speakers operate. This gives the user complete freedom to use any headphone he/she wants.
LeEco’s intention is to built an ecosystem around its phones. You buy their phone so now you are bound to buy their headphones. More sell more profit, just like Apple Inc. So none of their current trio of phones can be labeled as audio centric as their is no discrete audio hardware inside their phones. Rather LeEco had made the DACs + op-amps + headphone amplifiers available outside their phones and inside their headphones which is strange as no audiophile headphone manufacturer follows this route.
There is a big question mark regarding the audio quality LeEco headphones have on offer? Any audiophile will first ask what are the DACs + op-amps + headphone amplifiers used inside their headphones? How the power to these hardware are regulated from phone? What are the materials used inside the headphone speakers? LeEco have not provided any information regarding this other than stating they have “solid bass”.
To any audiophile “solid bass” = “solid fail”.
- Guest
  April 22, 2016

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