📻 Why Don’t Smartphones Have a Built-In FM Radio Anymore?

In the early 2010s, many smartphones came with built-in FM radios. They were simple, offline, and incredibly useful—especially when internet data was costly or spotty. Fast forward to today, and most modern smartphones have quietly dropped the FM radio feature. But why? With so many capabilities packed into our devices, what happened to one of the oldest and most dependable technologies?

This article explores the key reasons why modern smartphones no longer support FM radio as a default, and whether that’s a setback or simply technological evolution.

🔧 The Hardware Is Still There—In Some Phones

Here’s the twist: many smartphones still come with FM radio chips built in. Qualcomm, a leading chip manufacturer, often includes FM tuners in its processors. The issue is that phone makers don’t always activate them. In some cases, they don’t connect the chip to the rest of the hardware, like headphone jacks, which typically serve as antennas.

This means that while the potential exists, it’s often left disabled or inaccessible to users.

📶 Data Has Replaced Traditional Broadcast

Streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music have overtaken FM radio as the go-to source for music and news. With 4G and 5G connections readily available, users can access curated playlists, podcasts, and live broadcasts on demand. That leaves manufacturers with little motivation to support FM functionality when consumers are relying on internet-based alternatives.

Though convenient, this shift overlooks how valuable FM radio can be in situations where the internet is not an option.

💸 The Business of Keeping You Online

Streaming apps generate revenue from ads, subscriptions, and user data. FM radio, being free and anonymous, doesn’t. From a business standpoint, manufacturers and mobile carriers benefit more when users stay online. That’s why phasing out FM radio aligns with their digital revenue strategies.

Some carriers even encourage high data use to boost sales of larger data packages.

📱 The Push for Sleek Design

Today’s smartphones favor sleek, minimalist designs. Elements like headphone jacks and SIM card trays are being removed to make room for bigger batteries and better cameras. Since FM radio typically requires a wired antenna—often provided by headphones—removing the headphone jack indirectly makes FM support more difficult to implement.

Manufacturers prioritize components that are visible selling points, such as faster chips and premium displays, over behind-the-scenes features like FM radio.

🚨 Emergency Use Cases Are Often Ignored

FM radio shines during emergencies. It continues working when cell towers and power grids fail—something streaming platforms can’t guarantee. That’s why public safety advocates argue for keeping FM radio functionality intact, especially in disaster-prone areas.

However, most top-tier smartphones still skip it, though it remains popular in regions like Southeast Asia and parts of Latin America, where FM is still widely used.

🔍 Can You Still Get FM Radio on Your Smartphone?

If you’re looking for a phone that includes FM radio, you still have options. Some mid-range Android devices from brands like Motorola and Nokia offer built-in FM apps. Alternatively, streaming apps such as Radio Garden or iHeartRadio provide radio-like experiences—but they require a data connection.

There are also external FM tuner accessories that plug into a USB-C port, but they are niche and not very common for everyday users.

🎯 Final Thoughts

The removal of FM radio in smartphones reflects changing user habits, evolving business models, and modern design priorities. While it may seem like a minor omission, it reveals a broader trend toward dependency on internet services—and away from accessible, offline options.

FM radio offers something rare in today’s tech landscape: connection without conditions. No data, no subscription, and no signal issues. Maybe it’s time we reconsider its value.

Do you miss FM radio on your phone? Let us know in the comments below. 📻📱