FM radio on modern smartphones is now a thing of the past, and there are various reasons behind it.
If you are a 90s kid or even a 2000s kid, I bet you grew up listening to FM radio. After all, every Nepalese household had a radio, as it was a very prominent means of news, music & entertainment, back then. The trend followed for feature phones and smartphones as well. Smartphones before 2020 used to have this feature, but coming to 2026, it's all gone. Let's talk more about this!
No FM Radio on Smartphones:
A quick reminisce
Back in those days, tuning to an FM radio was still a trend with multiple hit shows and programs. Plus, radio ads have catchy jingles, and it was fun. The feature phones had it wirelessly, while for a smartphone, we just needed a 3.5mm earphone to work. Good old days! But the present-day smartphones have omitted this completely, and there are various valid reasons for that.
Rise of Streaming Apps
In this age of the internet, everything has gone online. We no longer have to wait for our favorite song to play on the radio. Just open Spotify, YouTube, or YouTube Music, and it's done. Carriers, OEMS, and app platforms are making a lot of money from the streaming business. Plus, removing a built-in radio means a consumer will have to pay for mobile data or internet to stream. So this digital shift has decreased the demand for traditional analog radio.
Removal of Headphone Jack
FM radio requires wired headphones to act as an antenna. And thanks to the mighty Apple, the trend of removing the headphone jack spread all over. And without a 3.5mm jack, it was technically difficult to maintain the FM radio feature. And thus it became one of the main reasons for the disappearance of FM radio on smartphones.
Farewell from smartphone chips
Another reason is the absence of a built-in FM radio chip on present-day smartphone processors. For example, Qualcomm's flagship chips have omitted integrated FM receivers for several years now. It actually saves space and provides more space to integrate other components. In fact, modern-day mobile chipsets favor WiFi, Bluetooth, UWB, and modems, which are actually more important.
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Transition to Digital
Not only streaming apps but radios have also joined the online gang. Now you don't really need a built-in radio feature to listen. Major FM radio stations can be listened to online via their websites or apps. Platforms like Radio Garden let you spin around the globe and listen to online FM radio stations. Likewise, you can listen to a whole lot of Nepalese FM radio on Hamro Patro.
No FM Radio on Smartphones: Conclusion:
Okay, while feature and bar phones are still keeping it alive, built-in FM radios have become a thing of the past in modern-day smartphones. The digital shift to streaming platforms and the removal of headphone jacks are the nail in the coffin. If you are still fond of tuning in to FM radios, the best medium remains to stream it online!
Article Last updated: March 24, 2026
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