10 Best Phones for Music

Wally Nowinski
editor

Audiophiles and people who listen to a lot of music will often prefer a wired audio connection from their phone for maximum quality and reliability. Also, many high-end headphone models are wired rather than wireless, so a headphone jack is an essential feature for owners of those models. However, as the wireless trend continues, headphone jacks are becoming increasingly rare, especially in high-end phones. Our experts used the PerfectRec decision engine to comb through our phone database and find the best phone for music available in 2023. Here are our top picks.

Our criteria for the best phone for music:

Headphone Jack: All modern phones are good at playing music, but we limited to this list to ones that include a physical headphone jack for true audiofiles.

To consider others factors, try the PerfectRec decision engine to get your personalized phone recommendation
Get your personalized recommendations

10 Best Phones for Music

1
BEST RATING
Performance:
4.8
Size: Smallest Android
Camera: Fair
Battery: Very Good




Expert Summary
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.
Pros
  • Compact screen size
  • High refresh rate display
  • Headphone jack included
  • 5G connectivity
  • Android operating system
Cons
  • Average battery life
  • Poor still photo quality
  • Fair video quality
  • Lower battery capacity
2
BEST RATING
Performance:
4.8
Size: Large Android
Camera: Fair
Battery: Very Good




Expert Summary
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.
Pros
  • High storage capacity
  • Large battery size
  • High screen refresh rate
  • Includes headphone jack
  • Supports 5G connectivity
Cons
  • Average camera quality
  • Fair video quality
  • No SD card slot
  • No wireless charging
3
BEST RATING
Performance:
4.2
Size: Medium Android
Camera: Fair
Battery: Good




Expert Summary
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.
Pros
  • Includes 3.5mm headphone jack
  • Has front-facing stereo speakers
  • Capable of 120fps 4K video recording
Cons
  • Average camera quality
  • No wireless charging capability
  • Limited to 128GB storage
4
BEST RATING
Battery Life:
4.3
Size: Smallest Android
Camera: Fair
Battery: Good




Expert Summary
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.
Pros
  • Compact 5.9-inch OLED screen
  • High screen refresh rate
  • 3.5mm headphone jack included
  • Good battery life
  • Solid system performance
Cons
  • Average camera quality
  • No telephoto or periscope lens
  • No wireless charging
  • No SD card expansion slot
5
BEST RATING
Battery Life:
4.3
Size: Large Android
Camera: Poor
Battery: Good




Pros
  • Integrated stylus for productivity
  • Large screen size of 6.6 inches
  • High battery capacity for longer use
  • 3.5mm headphone jack included
  • Decent camera features with RAW output
Cons
  • LCD screen instead of OLED
  • No wireless charging support
  • Camera quality rated as poor
  • No 5G connectivity
6
Motorola

Moto G100

BEST RATING
Performance:
4.1
Size: Large Android
Camera: Poor
Battery: Fair




Expert Summary
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.
Pros
  • Large screen size for media consumption
  • Good performance with Snapdragon 870
  • Hefty battery capacity for longer use
  • 3.5mm headphone jack for wired audio
  • Expandable storage with SD card slot
Cons
  • Poor camera quality
  • Lacks wireless charging
  • No high screen refresh rate
  • LCD display instead of OLED
7
BEST RATING
Battery Life:
4.8
Size: Largest Android
Camera: Poor
Battery: Excellent




Expert Summary
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.
Pros
  • Integrated stylus for productivity
  • Large 6.8-inch screen size
  • 128 GB storage capacity
  • 3.5mm headphone jack included
  • Good battery capacity
Cons
  • LCD screen, not OLED
  • Limited camera performance
  • No wireless charging support
  • No water resistance rating
8
Samsung

Galaxy A14

BEST RATING
Battery Life:
4.6
Size: Large Android
Camera: Poor
Battery: Very Good




Expert Summary
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
Cons
  • Camera quality is considered poor
  • Limited storage with only 64 GB
  • Lower performance score
  • No wireless charging capability
9
Samsung

Galaxy A42

BEST RATING
Battery Life:
5.0
Size: Large Android
Camera: Poor
Battery: Best in Class




Expert Summary
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.
Pros
  • Large OLED screen for immersive viewing
  • High battery capacity for longer usage
  • 5G capable for faster connectivity
  • Includes 3.5mm headphone jack
  • Expandable storage with SD card support
Cons
  • Lower screen resolution affects sharpness
  • No high refresh rate for smooth scrolling
  • Still photo quality is just fair
  • Video quality is poor
10
Samsung

Galaxy A23

BEST RATING
Battery Life:
4.6
Size: Large Android
Camera: Poor
Battery: Very Good




Expert Summary
If you're looking for an affordable phone, the Samsung Galaxy A23 could be a good fit. It offers a large screen size and a high-capacity 5000mAh battery, which should provide long battery life. The phone has a plastic body and a large 6.6-inch LCD screen without a curved edge. It features a quad-camera setup with a main camera that takes decent photos but don't expect high-end camera performance. For those needing extra storage or dual SIM capabilities, it comes with an SD card slot and supports dual SIMs. You'll appreciate the inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack, especially if you prefer using wired earphones. Keep in mind, it's a budget device with modest performance and the overall camera quality is not as good as more premium smartphones.
Pros
  • Includes a headphone jack
  • Good battery life
  • Large screen size
  • Expandable storage via SD card
  • Supports 120Hz refresh rate
Cons
  • Poor camera quality
  • Modest performance
  • Lacks wireless charging
  • No water or dust resistance