# item.guide
Side-by-Side Comparison Jack Connectors

2.5mm TRRS vs. RCA

Comparing 2 standards across 10 specifications. 10 key differences identified.

Comparing:
2.5mm TRRS
RCA

2.5mm TRRS adds a microphone conductor to the 2.5mm TRS jack, following the same CTIA or OMTP wiring conventions as 3.5mm TRRS. It served as a mobile phone headset jack -- including on older Nokia handsets -- before 3.5mm became the universal smartphone headset size.

View full 2.5mm TRRS spec sheet →

The RCA connector, introduced by RCA Corporation around 1937, is a de facto industry-standard connector for consumer audio and composite video -- there is no formal mechanical specification for the connector itself, though the composite video signal it typically carries targets a nominal 75-ohm impedance.

View full RCA spec sheet →

Specification Comparison Table

10 Parameters
Parameter / Spec
Connector Family
Phone Jack (Micro-Mini) Coaxial Phono Connector
Conductors / Contacts
4 (Tip, Ring 1, Ring 2, Sleeve) 2 (Center Pin, Outer Shield Ring)
Signal Format
Stereo Audio + Microphone / Video Unbalanced Line-Level Audio / Composite Video / S/PDIF
Primary Applications
Pre-smartphone Nokia/mobile headsets, portable AV camcorder break-out Home theater receivers, DJ turntables/mixers, composite/component video, S/PDIF digital
Shaft / Plug Diameter
2.5 mm
CTIA Standard Pinout
Tip: Left | Ring 1: Right | Ring 2: Ground | Sleeve: Mic
OMTP Standard Pinout
Tip: Left | Ring 1: Right | Ring 2: Mic | Sleeve: Ground
Outer Shell / Contact Diameter
8.3–8.5 mm (Outer) | 3.175 mm (Center Pin)
Standard Pinout
Center Pin: Positive Signal (+) | Outer Ring: Ground / Shield (-)
Characteristic Impedance
75 Ω (Video / S/PDIF) | ~50 Ω (Audio)