A year after launch, Essential gives users of the PH-1 a 3.5mm jack...and makes them pay for it

Apple did away with the 3.5mm headphone jack on the iPhone 7 devices and, if the public clamor was anything to go by, set audiophiles a couple centuries back in the process. In typical fashion, Android OEMs copied the trend, with Essential being one of the first to jump on that train with its Essential PH-1. It would seem that the company has had a rethink, however, as it’s now selling a new headphone jack feature.

Earlier today, the startup announced its new Audio Adapter HD, a petite device that attaches to the Essential PH-1 and offers a—you guessed it right—3.5mm headphone jack. You know, the very same port the device should have featured out of the box. Of course, the all-new Audio Adapter HD isn’t free. Pricing details are currently unknown but the company promises to give more information on that in the near future.

A few weeks ago, HTC confirmed that it would not be shipping the U12+ with a 3.5mm to Type-C adapter—a move we believe to be all sorts of unfair to consumers. While Essential didn’t go down that route with the PH-1, it’s still quite annoying to know that the company is offering a feature that should have been on the device at launch, then making you pay for it.

The Audio Adapter HD provides MQA rendering. New and existing owners of the PH-1 also get the bonus of a free 3-month HiFi Tidal subscription.