# Apple USB-C to 3.5mm headphone adapter

22 Hacker News commenters recommended Apple USB-C to 3.5mm headphone adapter and 9 criticized it, November 2025 to November 2026. It was recommended in 6 of 13 months. It meets the Hacker Approved badge rule.

**Verdict:** Recommended for cheap, good-sounding DAC that brings headphone jack to USB-C phones; critics note fragile port and cable strain.

## Why people recommend it

- Good sound for the price (12 comments): "The DAC in Apple's $10 adapter is higher quality than most "audiophile" DACs because Apple has a larger R&D budget" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46458540)) "they are on par with other $10 chinese DAC, which is quite achievement for Apple" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46461136)) "Apple's dongle is a marvel in that it is both cheap and sounds lovely" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50204554))
- Cheap, around $10 (7 comments): "The DAC in Apple's $10 adapter is higher quality than most "audiophile" DACs because Apple has a larger R&D budget" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46458540)) "Apple's dongle is a marvel in that it is both cheap and sounds lovely" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50204554)) "the highest quality mini DAC on the market for the low price of €10" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46223517))
- Works with Android and iPhone (3 comments): "the Apple adapter does seem to work fine now on Android 17 on Pixel phones" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49289809)) "Apples USB-C 3.5 Adapters work with Android and iPhones and all headphones" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47377834)) "tend to have excellent audio quality and should work with Android devices" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49495194))
- Measures better than pricier DACs (4 comments): "The DAC in Apple's $10 adapter is higher quality than most "audiophile" DACs because Apple has a larger R&D budget" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46458540)) "they are on par with other $10 chinese DAC, which is quite achievement for Apple" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46461136)) "audiophiles were very impressed with the measured performance" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46164054))

## What people warn about

- Fragile port and cable (3 comments): "It's not a good solution though. In particular I find the USB-C port gets worn out pretty quickly." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46454686)) "how incredibly flimsy its cable is, and how such adapters easily act as levers to mechanically strain the USB-C port" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47375203)) "the dongle itself is fragile and ends up causing constant crackling after a while" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46458887))
- Inconvenient extra dongle to carry (3 comments): "while the inbuilt DAC is really good, it's quite inconvenient as I'm an audiophile myself" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47227410)) "The adapter is annoying enough that very few people bother, and Apple knew it. It's also a bit flaky." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46376120)) "it's an extra $10 dongle to buy and potentially lose" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47375112))
- Snags and breaks with movement (2 comments): "It works well but does tend to get caught on things more easily than a pure jack." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45957044)) "the connection is much easier to accidentally break through movement (e.g., walking) with a USB-C adapter" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46423578))

## Where to get it

- [See price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Apple+USB-C+to+3.5+mm+Headphone+Jack+Adapter&tag=hackerapprove-20) (affiliate link)
- [Official site](https://www.apple.com/us/search/USB-C-to-3.5-mm-Headphone-Jack-Adapter?rdt=redirectionFromProductPage&tab=accessories)

## Cite as

Hacker Approved, "Apple USB-C to 3.5mm headphone adapter", https://hackerapproved.com/p/apple-usb-c-to-3-5mm-headphone-adapter/ (counts from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026).