Smartphone manufacturers abandoned built-in FM radio features because dedicated internal tuners took up valuable physical space and drained device batteries, technology publication BGR reported.
Writing on its website, the media outlet noted that while many early mobile phones and first-generation smartphones routinely featured FM radio receivers, the functionality gradually disappeared from modern handsets.
Industry journalists explained that the mystery behind the feature's removal stems from low consumer interest alongside technical limitations that made built-in tuners difficult to implement in slim device designs.
According to the report, a dedicated FM tuner required physical space inside the casing and consumed electrical power while operating. As phone makers began optimizing internal architecture to cut costs and maximize efficiency, radio tuners were systematically removed.
The report identified the Samsung Galaxy S25 as one of the last major smartphones to retain support for receiving FM radio signals. However, the functionality was restricted to specific regions, such as South Korea, and required users to connect wired headphones to act as an antenna.
Changing user habits also contributed to the shift. Smartphone owners increasingly turned to internet connections for audio content, rendering traditional broadcast radio unneeded.
Hardware evolution and headphone antennas
FM radio technology transmits analog signals over frequency modulation radio waves. In mobile devices, receiving these signals requires an antenna long enough to capture VHF frequencies. Because internal space in small electronics is limited, phone designers relied on traditional 3.5mm wired headphone cords to function as external antenna cables.
As smartphone designs evolved toward sealed glass-and-aluminum enclosures, manufacturers phased out 3.5mm headphone jacks in favor of wireless Bluetooth audio. Without a physical headphone cable plugged into the device, built-in FM tuners cannot receive analog signals effectively.
Headquartered in Suwon, South Korea, Samsung Electronics is the world's largest producer of Android mobile devices. BGR, an American technology site covering mobile consumer electronics, highlighted that widespread 4G LTE and 5G cellular coverage enabled users to stream online stations and podcasts instead.
Android performance and maintenance advice
In May, technology publication SlashGear recommended that Android smartphone owners restart their devices whenever operating systems run slowly or freeze.
The report noted that while periodic reboots resolve temporary system lag, keeping a smartphone continuously powered on is completely normal for devices in active daily use.
SlashGear is a consumer technology news outlet that publishes technical guides, hardware reviews, and operating system maintenance tips for Android and mobile users.
