As a dedicated Android user with Rexton Reach h/a’s, I am considering replacing my Pixel 4a with a Pixel 8 or 9 or perhaps a Samsung Galaxy as per this article, and would be grateful for any experiences/opinions/suggestions as between Pixel and Samsung Galaxy?
1 Like
As far as i know, Samsung is quite on par with Pixels.
Pixels tend to introduce new functions sooner but Samsung follows very steadily and makes them available even to low end devices such as the Galaxy A16, which comes for just €150 and has got stuff like subtitles for phone calls, which are only available on Samsung and Pixel phones.
Also, Pixels are entitled for just 2 major Android updates, while Samsung for 4, meaning that future Android features for hearing impaired are more likely to be integrated in your current Galaxy phone rather than Pixel.
2 Likes
I would wait until the end of the year to buy a new phone, especially the Pixel.
Pixel 8 and 9 phones get 7 years of various updates.
The Samsung phone comes with an Auracast assistant.
However, Resound has come up with an Auracast assistant in their latest app. So expect other hearing aid manufactures to add an Auracast assistant in their apps going forward.
3 Likes
I have the Samsung S23 phone and thr Oticon INTENT1 aids. My phone is still on Android 14 and I have the most perfect connectivity that I have ever had. And that includes my 9 years of using iPhone and IOS. I have even full hands free.
3 Likes
I’ve had both. Two Samsungs, three Pixels. I will only buy Pixel from now on, they’re simply a better phone. Cleaner experience, no Samsung bloatware, and I’ve found them to be much faster than Samsung.
I use the Phonak app, and have no issues with it on my P9.
Absolutely not true. Google has guaranteed seven years of updates for Pixel models. Far beyond what Samsung offers.
7 Likes
I was a confirmed Android user until ASHA came along. I switched to Apple, because my high end Samsung could maintain a connection with my HAs, and my W’s Apple phone could.
Now that I’m familiar with both IOS and Android, I’m confident that Android is better and easier to use - except with HAs, and HAs more and more require using a phone app.
I’m writing to say that you ought to consider going to the dark side. BT LE Audio promises great things, but I just can’t be confident that they’ll be delivered soon enough.
You’d think a 5 years would be enough for Samsung and Google et al to deliver Android apps that stay connected, but I got fed up 2 years ago, and I keep trying new releases of the ReSound app - and my low end Apple phone still maintains the connection better than my admittedly now old Samsung does, and the Apple phone still responds significantly fast than my Samsung does.
I’m not syaing, ‘Go Apple.’ All I’m saying is consider it. If you have a friend with an Apple phone, see if you can borrow it for a few hours. That’s all you’ll need.
3 Likes
I have a Pixel 7 and it’s worked fairly well with Oticon Real HAs. The only issue I’ve had is some intermittent drop outs while walking and streaming when the phone is mounted to my belt. It doesn’t always drop out, just occasionally. With phone calls I use the phone microphone so the phone is by my head and it never drops out. I recently got a Cochlear N8 and it streams to it with similar behavior.
2 Likes
I was with Apple until Android became better with connectivity to my Oticon aids. I am using Samsung S23 now but I am thinking about Google Pixel for my next phone. I am not having any issues with connectivity or streaming with the Samsung S23 which has le audio as does my aids.
3 Likes
I may be wrong but this doesn’t sound right. The Pixel 9’s will have updates for 6-7 years.
I have always loved Samsung phones but when I got my Cochlear CI’s I needed Android 10 or higher. At that time Samsung’s phone with Android 10 or higher were very expensive. I was able to buy a used Pixel that was still getting updates for a great deal less money.
IMO Samsung has been ahead of Google until the 9’s. These phones are nice! I got the 9 Pro through a Verizon deal that was a total of $200 out of pocket. Can’t beat that for a great phone.
Galaxy and Pixel are both good phones. I believe you get more phone for the money with Pixels but I still really like Samsung phones.
6 Likes
I had a Pixel 7A with bilateral Cochlear implants. Had battery life issues with that phone and got a Pixel 9 Pro. Bluetooth has been much better with this phone. Battery life has been absolutely great. I use my phone for all Internet duties, including this post
4 Likes
Yeah, sorry, that’s right, the Pixels‘ support is much longer than just 2 Android majoer updates.
For me, the only really good plus with Samsung is the affordability of their entry price phones, which come with all the functionalities we need in therms of accessibility.
3 Likes
I am an Apple shareholder and a loyal Mac user since 1984, but I find ios to be terrible, which is why I use Android phones. My wife has struggled with her iPads for years and I go nuts trying to help her solve all its weirdness with its version of ios. It is so unMaclike! 
2 Likes
I have a pixel 8 pro. I’m happy with it in general. LE Audio works fine. No os level auracast assistant functionality yet but my Philips aren’t enabled for it anyway. I think either would be a good choice.
2 Likes
Yes, battery life is not great with the Pixel 7, but it does get me through the day. I would say it’s one of the weakest points of the 7.
2 Likes
I use Pixel 9 with Phonak. My wife uses iPhone with iPods. I am the geek in the family and find Android better. IOS may be simpler, but it is way to rigid for me. Apple does a good job of keeping updates coming and the only Android that does that well is the Google Pixel line.
1 Like
I’m not sure if that’s true. I haven’t read of someone using Auracast on an old phone yet.
1 Like
My Pixel 7A and 8A have been great with my Phonaks. Battery life on the 7A was about 20 hours and the 8A is about 36.
I am using a One Plus norn 4 it works fine . About £200.
With what phone? Are you using Auracast? I am seeking a phone with Auracast because my Rexton Reaches keep slipping out of Hearing Aid mode and I am forced to switch to Speaker mode in order to hear the other party.
Phonaks/Sonoma are the exception because of their dual chip. My KS9s worked fine too but I needed to switch to rechargeable hearing aids due to difficulty handling tiny batteries with arthritic hands.