I didn’t even realize Qualcomm removed the built in FM radio from their chips. Huh.
All phones I’ve ever owned did that. The radio app would tell you to plug your earphones.
I had one that didn’t require it. I think Prestigio PAP4044 DUO. It could pick up almost nothing, but almost at least wasn’t nothing.
That’s probably true of all of them. Strictly-speaking, an FM radio with a telescoping antenna can pick things up without extending the antenna, but it’s gonna do a pretty poor job.
Sure, but they usually lock you out in software. For example my phone (Poco X3 Pro) will let you turn on FM radio but not tune without antenna connected. Others usually don’t let you use it at all.
I guess it’s because people kept sending them reports of “FM radio not working”.