HiFi audio company MOONDROP has revealed that its forthcoming smartphone would support both 4.4mm and 3.5mm audio connectors, in a time when most smartphone manufacturers are doing away with headphone jacks entirely.
The MOONDROP MIAD01 phone is referred to be a “5G HiFi mobile audio device” by the manufacturer. It has a Cirrus Logic MasterHiFi digital to analogue converter, two headphone connections, and other high-end audio features. The MIAD01 is being released initially in China, where it will retail for 2499 CNY, or roughly $345. But in the future, it might be offered in more markets.
Moondrop has revealed some images and information about the future phone on social media. The images show that the phone will have a 6.7-inch curved OLED display with 1920 Hz PWM dimming, 120 Hz refresh rate, and 1080p resolution.
The phone also features:
- Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 7050
- Memory: 12GB LPDDR4x
- Storage: 256GB UFS 3.1 storage and microSD card reader with support for cards up to 2TB
- Cameras: Dual 64MP rear, 32MP front
- Battery: 5,000 mAh
- Charging: 33W
- USB: USB 3.1 Type-C (5 Gbps)
- Dimensions: 9.2mm thick
- Weight: 202 grams
However, the audio aspects of this phone are what really catch my attention. They consist of:
Headphone jacks: 2V rms and 4V rms, respectively, for 3.5mm unbalanced and 4.4mm balanced
DAC (digital to analog converter): 117 dB signal-to-noise ratio and 132 dB dynamic range characterise this Dual Cirrus Logic MasterHIFI.
Audio circuit: Six-layer independent audio circuit bathed in gold with a separate LDO power source
Software: MOONDROP Audio Centre console with interactive DSP on an Android OS device
Support for headphones that need a higher power output than what a 3.5mm unbalanced cable might provide should be made possible by the inclusion of a 4.4mm balanced audio input. However, most common wired headphones that use the 3.5mm audio jack should work with the phone as well because it also includes that socket.
Founded in 2015, MOONDROP is a Chinese firm that produces high-end audio equipment such as portable CD players, in-ear monitors, digital to analogue converters, and headphones.
Support for headphones that need a higher power output than what a 3.5mm unbalanced cable might provide should be made possible by the inclusion of a 4.4mm balanced audio input. However, most common wired headphones that use the 3.5mm audio jack should work with the phone as well because it also includes that socket. When a new “smartphone” category was added to the MOONDROP website earlier this year and was discovered by SoundGuys, that’s when we first found out the firm was working on a phone. However, at the time, little information was accessible.
The MIAD01 would be the company’s first smartphone, albeit it’s unclear at this time if MOONDROP collaborated with an established device manufacturer or designed the phone themselves. And while an audio-focused phone might seem like a good idea in theory, it’s understandable that people have expressed a healthy dose of scepticism given that this company has no track record of providing long-term service or software support for a complicated device like a phone.
