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Mobile audio trends we hope to see in 2019
July 24, 2025
Between tossing our 2018 planners and contemplating what “new year, new me” means for 2019, we should also consider what resolutions andevolutionswe want to see concerning mobile audio. While there are plenty of excellentsmartphones for audio enthusiastson the market, smartphone manufacturers are pushing wireless audio, despite our cries for theheadphone jack’sreturn. Wishful thinking aside, let’s dive into what we’re likely to see this year.
Realistic trends
For the record, I’m a realist. While that’s usually code for “I’m a pessimist in denial,”in this instance, I think there are a handful of realistic, positive mobile audio trends on the horizon. After all, as wireless and true wireless technology improves, it becomes increasinglyaffordable.
A true wireless renaissance
Although many of us are resistant to the wireless-only trend, it seems all but inevitable. True,Bluetooth still can’t outperform wired audiobutits convenience is hard to ignore. What’s more, we’ve seen true wireless earbudsimproveleaps and bounds in just the past year. Plus, as demonstrated at IFA 2018,renowned audiobrands are trying their hands at truly wireless tech, too, which has helped bolster the market.
While it’s entirely possible that the accessibility of the technology will open the floodgates for sub-par earbuds to come, the coin flips both ways. Leveling the playground has allowed other competitors in likeJLabandRHA. As manufacturers push their second generation true wireless earbuds to market, we expect to see battery life andconnectivityimprovements. Saidexpectationsseem attainable and necessary to entice consumers.
Improved USB-C headphones
Recent events have compelled some smartphone users to replace their traditional wired earbuds withUSB-C earbuds. In a perfect world, the replacement would be seamless, but thelack of universal supportfor USB-C audio systems is impossible to ignore. Likewise, compatibility issues are headache-inducing.
That said, this year two major companies —OnePlusandRazer— have released their own USB-C headphones, the latter of which performs exceptionally well within itsunremarkable category. I hope and anticipate more companies trying their hands at the USB-C market as it remains fairly untapped. If a big brand likeSamsungorLG, for instance, produces a knockout pair of earbuds, it can easily corner the market. That said, it seems a stretch since both companies have retained the headphone jack.
Increased aptX support
One of the biggest qualms audiophiles have regarding wireless smartphone audio is, well, streaming quality. A year ago, SBC seemed much more common thanaptX. This makes sense since SBC is the lowest common denominator of Bluetooth codecs. Now, however, even~$30 wireless earbudscan support aptX and aptX LL while operating on Bluetooth 5.0.
Seeing as mobile audio is a greater concern for general consumers, it seems realistic that more companies will partner with Qualcomm for aptX supportedheadphonesandearbuds. Doing so would also reduce latency when streaming videos, which is important forNetflixandYouTubestreamers.
Hail Mary mobile audio wishes
Naturally, there are a few long-shot wishes we audio enthusiasts are clinging onto. While they may not come to fruition this year, it’s okay to be optimistic about years to come.
Headphone jack revival
This one’s pretty unlikely seeing ascompanies have unapologetically let goof the headphone jack like it’s a summer intern at the end of August. That said, there exist enough dissenters within the mobile audio and wider audio communitiescondemningits removal. Perhaps that will galvanize companies to restore it. Even so, this restoration probably won’t come for another year or two beyond 2019, since the immediate future isevidently leaning wireless.
Android’s version of a W1 chip
For those abstaining from all things Apple, the company’sW1 chipvastly improves wireless audio foriPhoneusers. Since it’s proprietary hardware, Android users don’t get a bite. Although it’s unlikely an Android W1 chip-equivalent will be announced in the coming year,Samsung and AKGcould develop comparable hardware for Android devices, or at least for Samsung’s.
While all this conjecture is fun, it seems guaranteed that true wireless and USB-C technology will only continue to improve. After all, consumers continue to vote with their wallets, casting their ballots fortrue wireless earbudsin particular. For better or worse, this is the avenue we’re heading down and perhaps it leads to a dead end, or perhaps it leads to an all wireless, high-quality audio future. Until we know for sure, though, I’ll continue championingwired audio.
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