There was a time when your music player and mobile phone were two different devices. If you wanted to call someone, you would take out your cell phone. Conversely, if you wanted to listen to music, you would break out your MP3 player or iPod. With the advent of smartphones, everything, including your music player, can be found all in one device. And, with larger memory storage becoming the new norm, it is even possible to store thousands upon thousands of music files on your smartphone.
Alternatively, you can ditch the saved files and simply stream music online on platforms like Amazon Music, Spotify, Pandora Music, and such. Naturally, though, you would want to get the best phone in the market. But, what exactly is the best phone for music? Here is a list of mobile phones that come in to satisfy your need for a phone with superb audio quality.
Best Phones For Music
What to Look Out For in an Audio Phone?
When it comes to music, we all have different tastes to judge whether it’s nice or otherwise. However, all music lovers would agree that music is best played with a high-quality sound system. That’s when you can really sink into your favorite piece of music and understand their character. When it comes to choosing an audio phone, don’t choose them like how you choose your car. Things just aren’t the way it’s supposed to be when it’s compared that way.
In fact, to accurately determine which audio phone suits you best, there are plenty to consider. You’ll need to consider the type of audio files you’re streaming, the memory storage to download your songs and playlists, battery lifespan, the environment you’ll be listening to these audios, and Ultimately, how much you’re willing to pay for it. However, mobile phones aren’t gonna be as great when compared to any sound systems. But it’s still best to own a mobile phone that gives you audio satisfaction on the go. Remember, your decision is also subject to whether or not you’ll be listening to your music with a headphone or on the stereo.
Below is a rundown of the best audio phones that need to be on your list.
Adore
- – Excellent stereo speakers and audio quality
– Fastest face detection camera function
– 3.5mm headphone jack
Against
- – Low camera specs
For formidable speakers with a unique vibration, get Sony Xperia 1 III. While Sony is not exactly the first brand that comes to most minds on the subject of smartphones, Xperia 1 III is still worth a look. This handset comes with dual front-facing stereo speakers and a feature called dynamic vibration — which basically means your phone can vibrate to the beat of the music. The 3.5mm also returns on this flagship model, making it truly a phone for music.
Apart from that, this top-end device also boasts great specs. Xperia 1 III has a stock-feel Android 11 out of the box paired with a decent Snapdragon chipset and 12GB of RAM for smooth gaming. Its 4K resolution combined with 120Hz refresh rate looks as amazing as it sounds. Battery-wise, it performs well at 4500 mAh, although a notch lower than other flagship phones.
Adore
- – Good camera quality in natural and low light conditions
– Feature high-end processors
– Fast fingerprint detection
– Crisp and loud stereo speaker
Against
- – Average screen display resolution
– Non-water resistant
Samsung’s Galaxy A13 is a budget-friendly option offering great specs. Audiophiles will not exactly line up for this handset, but those who are not too picky about their sound quality will have a satisfactory experience. Speakers-wise, the A13 does not boast much. However, when paired with a decent pair of headphones, Samsung’s custom optimizations can really boost the quality.
In addition to its decent sound, Samsung Galaxy A13 also boasts a number of other specs. It has a 6.5-inch display, a respectable processor under the hood, 4 GB of RAM, and a 50 MP wide triple camera. It also runs on Android 11 out of the box, so you’ll get the latest features from Google.
On the flip side, the Samsung Galaxy A13 does have its fair share of cons. For instance, while it does have a 5000 mAh battery, it does not have very impressive charging abilities. Other than that, if you want an adequate smartphone that gets the job done, you can bet on Samsung Galaxy A13.
Adore
- – Surround sound with Dolby Atmos technology
- – Dual audio support
- – Excellent camera features such as tracking auto-focus, auto HDR, and AR Doodle
Against
- -No 3.5mm audio jack
- – No charger out of the box
People can argue endlessly whether the Galaxy S22 Ultra is a predecessor of Galaxy S21 Ultra or the reincarnation of the Galaxy Note. But whichever side you are on, you’ll surely agree if we say that it’s one of the best phones for music.
Granted that it doesn’t have a headphone jack, but Dolby Atmos stereo speakers are irresistible. Its downward-facing speaker with surround sound is capable of high-quality audio playback. Overall, its loudness and bass are good and high notes play nice. The Galaxy S22 Ultra is also good for sharing music as it supports a dual audio connection via Bluetooth. This means you can play music on two connected Bluetooth devices, like wireless earbuds, simultaneously.
Adore
- – Featuring 6GB RAM
– Long battery life and fast charging
– Outstanding video quality and stabilization
– Built-in bionic chip in the iPhone
Against
- – Night photography not as outstanding
– No headphone jack
– Steep price
When it comes to the best phone for audio, it is hard to argue with the iPhone 13 Pro. With its stunning speakers, the iPhone 13 Pro certainly has the best music quality. They come equipped with Dolby Atmos, which gives the audio a full-bodied texture.
Like most of its recent flagships, Apple’s latest iteration does not come with a headphone jack onboard. That means you will need to shell out more money for a pair of wireless earphones. You can choose Apple’s own AirPods, which pair better with the iPhone 13 Pro and offer a cleaner sound quality. Moreover, the wireless connection is far more stable. However, you can also choose other brands, which will work fine with the handset.
Of course, a lot of people see the lack of a headphone jack as a drawback. Many rely on wired earphones and do not have the budget to buy a pair of Bluetooth AirPods. Moreover, the iPhone 13 Pro does not come with an audio adapter. It is also relatively difficult to transfer files, which is a simple process on Android.
Adore
- – Feature contemporary and captivating design
– Superior camera quality
– Powerful sensor for different functions
Against
- – Does not support expandable storage
– Earbuds are excluded
If you want a somewhat similar audio quality to Pixel 3a but with better overall specs, then get Google Pixel 4. The sounds coming through its speakers are crisp and has better bass than its younger sibling, so you will definitely enjoy your music experience with the Pixel 4. Additionally, Google has really stepped up its game in terms of design and features. With this handset, you can look forward to superb camera quality, a smooth 90Hz display, and amazing video stabilization.
However, Google Pixel 4 does have its cons as well. For instance, this smartphone does not come with a headphone jack onboard. That means you will have to purchase a pair of wireless earphones or headphones if you want a more private listening experience. If you can afford it, that is totally fine, given that Pixel 4 is one of the best phones for music. But, if you are strapped for cash, then there is a good chance you will have to save up more money just so you can listen to music exclusively. Other cons include no fingerprint scanner, an unimpressive battery, and limited market availability.
Adore
- – Good bang for the bucks
– Stylish and contemporary design
– Amazing audio quality
– Comes with the ‘Now Playing’ feature to identify songs around you
Against
- – Doesn’t come with wireless charging
– Must add on for Pixel Buds
For those on a budget, the Google Pixel 3a promises great speaker quality without breaking the bank. If you are not very particular about bass and warmth, then this is one of the best phones for music that easily gets the job done for music lovers.
Additionally, it has an edge over a lot of other modern smartphones. Unlike its sibling, Google Pixel 4, which is next on this list, Google Pixel 3a comes with a headphone jack. For many people, that makes a world of difference. Having a headphone jack means you don’t have to shell out extra money for a pair of wireless earphones, which can be very expensive. You can dust off your old pair of wired earphones and listen to music all day long with Google Pixel 3a.
On the downside, in terms of music quality, there are much better phones in the market today. Sure, Google Pixel 3a boasts decent sound quality, but it is definitely not the best. Moreover, this smartphone does not come with expandable storage, which means you are limited to a maximum of 64 GB. There is also no wireless charging and the chipset under the hood, a Snapdragon 670, is significantly less powerful.
Adore
- – Vivid color screen display
– Superb camera quality
– A good option for a high-security phone
– Fast Android processor
Against
- – Limited memory expansion
For stereo speakers with great specs, Huawei Mate 40 should be your go-to smartphone. It was rated one of the best Huawei phones for a reason. In terms of audio, Mate 40 has the same audio performance as its Pro version at 32-bit/384 kHz. However, the presence of 3.5mm jack made us pick Mate 40.
As one of the best phones for music around, it certainly does not disappoint. It comes with high-end specs, including the Kirin 9000E 5G processor and 8 GB of RAM. Additionally, the Mate 30 has an impressive triple camera setup at the back and a decent 13-MP camera in the front.
However, the Mate 40 has been criticized for its somewhat squeaky sound and lack of stereo, even though it is one of the best in terms of volume. Other than that, Huawei Mate 40 is a decent phone with impressive specs and a lower price compared to other high-end phones in the market today.
Adore
- – Modern with stunning holographic phone casing
– Good camera quality even in a low light environment
– Fast charging
– Good price to flagship-grade performance
Against
- – Not water resistant
– Does not support 4K 60fps video recording
Not only Huawei P30’s superb camera quality is worth the rave, but this phone also boasts of its excellent speaker with crisp and surreal audio quality. On speaker mode, the sounds coming out are full-bodied and do not distort even on max volume level. That is not surprising, considering this handset comes with Dolby Atmos sound. We could have easily gone for the Huawei P40 or P50, but their lack of 3.5mm audio jack is not very enticing for people who love listening to music.
Other specs include a formidable HiSilicon Kirin 980 processor, a 6.1-inch OLED display, 128 GB of expandable storage, and 6 GB of RAM. It also has a stirring triple camera setup at the back and a 32-MP camera for selfies, including wide-angle shots and in-camera customization.
Unfortunately, Huawei P30 is not completely flawless. It has no resistance to water and dust, so you should take extra care of this smartphone once it is in your hands. There are also no stereo speakers. All in all, though, if you want a smartphone with decent specs that gets the job done, you can bank on Huawei P30. However, it is not available with cellular providers like Verizon, Sprint, etc.
Adore
- – Supports Dolby Vision and comes with P-OLED display
– Loud and clear stereo speakers
– Excellent battery life
– Good price to quality
Against
- – Mediocre front camera performance
It’s a shame that LG has to stop making smartphones, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t able to contribute good ones. If you are very particular about audio quality, it would be a smart decision to take a look at its final entry to the smartphone arena, the LG V60 ThinQ 5G.
The LG V60 ThinQ boasts “Quad DAC” hardware, which basically turns audio into the purest form by increasing the signal-to-noise ratio. With this hardware, this handset can rival even the most revered speakers on the planet. Furthermore, it comes with a headphone jack, which is a plus for most people. When used with wired earphones, the sound quality is crisp and full-bodied. The hardware even makes quieter earphones more impressive. Furthermore, you get to customize your sound, which is something every audio geek will love.
The LG V60 ThinQ is not just superb in the audio department. It also boasts an excellent battery life, a powerful Snapdragon 865 chipset under the hood, great cameras, and a stunning display.
There was a ramp-up on LG V60’s photography performance compared to its predecessors, thanks to the 64 MP triple camera setup (13 MP ultrawide). However, its 10 MP front camera could have been better.
All in all, you can consider the LG V60 ThinQ if you are an audiophile looking for the best phone for music.
Adore
- – Impressive stereo speakers
- – Has headphone jack and expandable memory
- – Impressive camera performance across the board
Against
- – Brightness needs improving
- – Charging capacity is behind key competitors
Its younger sibling tops this list, but we are also happy to dedicate a spot for the older Sony Xperia 1 II. While we love that it reintroduced the 3.5mm audio jack, its stereo speakers are what makes it a true winner for music lovers out there.
The Sony Xperia 1 II has a front-facing dual stereo speaker system. We don’t normally see this setup as most phone manufacturers would prefer downward-firing/front-firing combos, but this bold move is exactly why we like Xperia 1 II. With this speaker set up, audio is directed towards listeners with more balance in loudness and reproduction.
The Sony Xperia 1 II also has a good amount of internal storage at the tune of 256GB, which you can expand using the shared microSD/SIM slot.
Which Smartphone Is the Best Phone for Music?
In the end, crowning the best phone for music is only something users can decide. Each device has its own pros and cons, and every customer is different. You might be more concerned about the price than the specs, whereas other people might put more weight on battery life compared to the sound quality. All of these phones have impressive audio. It all depends on what you are looking for and how much you are willing to pay for it.
