Indications Point Toward Samsung's Galaxy A33 Sporting Quad Rear Cameras and Skipping the Headphone Jack
Samsung ceased to support headphone jacks on its premium phones as of early 2020, keeping them available on budget and mid-range handsets. However, if recent rumors are legitimate, this policy might shift with the debut of the Galaxy A33, starting from January, possibly at CES.
Leaked renders by @Onleaks and 91Mobiles reveal potential changes in the Galaxy A33, based on leaked specifications. The 6.4-inch FHD+ AMOLED display will flatten, and quad rear cameras might have higher-resolution sensors.
Modifications from the A32 include the possibility of the A33 launching only as a 5G model, with the 4G version potentially absent in 2022. The alarming change, however, is that these leaks suggest Samsung may eliminate the 3.5mm audio jack from the A33, following years of incorporating this feature in its mid-range devices.
Budget-conscious buyers relying on cost-effective wired headphones for music and videos may find this disappointing, as they opt for pricier wireless earbuds. However, this move isn't entirely surprising.
The Galaxy A33 appears to have a speaker and USB-C port on its base, an older notch-style selfie camera, and a body made from Samsung's "Glasstic" material that'll be available in black, white, orange, and light blue. Color choices may vary depending on the region.
Unfortunately, the latest leaks do not clarify whether the Galaxy A33 will still support a microSD card slot, another valuable feature that Samsung has continued to offer on its mid-range phones while dropping microSD expandability on its high-end Galaxy S phones.
Looking back at Samsung's history, they eliminated headphone jacks and microSD expandability simultaneously on the Galaxy S20. As a result, the possibility exists that, if the 3.5mm port disappears on the A33, the microSD card slot may follow suit.
This situation might signal the end of an era, with Samsung potentially phasing out support for both headphone jacks and microSD card slots across its entire phone line, even in budget devices, forcing long-term Samsung users to explore mid-range alternatives from competitors like Motorola and TCL.
Technology advancements might influence Samsung's decision to remove the 3.5mm audio jack from the Galaxy A33, as it did with its premium phones. Embracing the 'tech' of the future, Samsung might also consider dropping the microSD card slot in the A33, following the removal of this feature in its high-end Galaxy S20.
