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2025 Shopping for new Cell Phone - Hearing Aid - thoughts and ideas

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I am targeting April 1, 2025 to replace (or upgrade) my Cell Phone and . Based on some very good feedback on this forum, I am taking a fresh approach.
The Federal Communications Commission, FCC on October 17, 2024 announced a new Requirements for Cell Phones. Of course, “compatibility” is never that simple.
FCC Requires All Mobile Phones to Be Hearing Aid Compatible6
On this FCC site, here is an excerpt of the announcement:

Re: Achieving 100% Wireless Handset Model Hearing Aid Compatibility, WT Docket No. 23-388,
Report & Order (October 17, 2024)
As I said when I voted for last year’s hearing aid compatibility Notice of Proposed Rulemaking:
“everyone in America deserves access to modern communications.” With this Report and Order, we’re taking an important step toward ensuring that vision is a reality for the millions of Americans who depend on hearing aids.
For years the Commission has been working to make sure every single smartphone sold in
America can be used with a hearing aid – 100% compatibility. Today that goal is finally within reach.
It is my expectation that new (and some existing) cell phones will be publishing the FCC compatibility test results in 2025. Hopefully, this will help our community make better choices.

6 people in this conversation8 min readJump to latest

This is just a single cell phone that posted its FCC compatibility. I use ChatGPT for other projects. Asking ChatGPT about these two phones provided the following:

When comparing the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE and S24 FE in terms of Hearing Aid > Compatibility (HAC), it’s important to understand the standards they adhere to:

Samsung Galaxy S23 FE:

  • HAC Rating: M3/T3
  • Standard: 2011
    The M3 rating indicates moderate RF emissions, suitable for hearing aids in microphone mode, while the T3 rating signifies compatibility with -equipped hearing aids. (Phone Scoop3)
    Samsung Galaxy S24 FE:
  • HAC Rating: Compliant with the 2019 ANSI Standard

The 2019 ANSI Standard does not utilize the M/T rating system. Devices compliant with this standard meet or exceed the M3/T3 ratings and are deemed hearing aid compatible. (Appalachian Wireless1)

Comparison:

Both devices are designed to be compatible with hearing aids. The S23 FE uses the older 2011 ANSI standard with explicit M3/T3 ratings, while the S24 FE complies with the updated 2019 ANSI standard, which ensures at least equivalent compatibility without specifying M/T ratings.

Therefore, the Galaxy S24 FE is at least as compatible with hearing aids as the S23 FE, adhering to the latest standards set by the FCC.

I would wait until the end of the year to see what the other manufactures bring out. My thinking is that the other manufacture’s phones with be FCC compliant to the new rules.

Otherwise, you will want an assistant built in to the phone for capability. So far that’s only high end Samsung phones.

Why Google didn’t include an assistant in their new phones I don’t know.

I fear the previous posts are not accurate. HAC is not (Android Streaming for Hearing Aids), nor is it Made For Iphone.

If you want to stream to Phonaks, I believe you want a phone that will send and receive standard . If you want to stream with the other market leaders (Signia, Demant, ReSound, Starkey, and maybe Widex), you want a phone that supports ASHA or MFI .

Even better, if you’re buyimg both and a phone at the same time, buy the HAs and then buy a phone on the HA marketer’s compatibility list.

Moto phones are HAC-compatible. They are not ASHA, and this forum is filled with complaints of unsatisfying streaming with Moto phones - because they’re HAC compatible, but not ASHA-compatible.

In reply to @philbob57

@philbob57 said:

If you want to stream with the other market leaders (Signia, Demant, ReSound, Starkey, and maybe Widex), you want a phone that supports ASHA or MFI .

Plus even better (LEA) is dead in the water, Google won’t be doing much with this as LEA is the new industry standard…but it’s taking a long time for everyone to get on board
( phone manufacturers! as the manufacturers are ahead with this, obviously Widex will be offering soon)

The Samsung S24 FE appears to be the most updated HAC for the lower cost cell phones. This is from ChatGPT asking if Rexton is compatible for various cell phone functionality:

  • HAC 2019 Compliance – Better for Calls
  • The Samsung S24 FE meets the latest HAC 2019 standard, meaning it should provide better hearing aid compatibility than previous Samsung models.
  • However, Rexton hearing aids primarily support (Apple’s proprietary system), which means Android connectivity may still be limited.
  • :warning: Phone Calls – Hands-Free May Be Required
  • Some Rexton users with Android phones report that calls do not stream directly to their hearing aids.
  • You may need to use speakerphone or a Bluetooth accessory (e.g., Rexton Smart Mic) to improve voice clarity.
  • :warning: Music Streaming – Likely Requires Extra Hardware
  • Direct Bluetooth streaming may not work with Rexton hearing aids on the S24 FE.
  • Possible workaround: Use the Rexton Smart Transmitter 2.4, which allows hearing aids to receive streamed audio.
  • :warning: Rexton App on Android – Mixed Reviews
  • Some Android users report limited functionality of the Rexton App for controlling volume and settings.
  • If the app does not recognize the S24 FE, updates may be required.

Regarding HAC Standards:
Should I trust Rexton with the New Samsung HAC 2019 Rating

Hearing Aid Compatibility (HAC) Ratings: What Changed?

  • Samsung Galaxy S23 FE: M3/T3 Rating
    • This follows the 2011 C63.19 standard, where:
      • M3 means moderate hearing aid compatibility for microphone use.
      • T3 means moderate compatibility with -equipped hearing aids.
  • Samsung Galaxy S24 FE: HAC 2019 Rating
    • The 2019 standard aligns with the FCC’s latest updates and improves testing conditions:
      • More reliable RF interference assessment.
      • Better compatibility with newer digital hearing aids.
      • Tighter compliance with 5G networks, reducing audio dropouts.
    • However, Samsung doesn’t specify an M/T rating for the S24 FE yet.

Verdict

  • The S24 FE is overall the better phone, thanks to:
    • Brighter & larger display
    • Faster processor
    • Better front camera
    • Newer HAC compliance for hearing aids

Samsung Galaxy S23 FE: M3/T3 Rating

  • This follows the 2011 ANSI C63.19 standard, where:
    • M3 means moderate hearing aid compatibility for microphone use.
    • T3 means moderate compatibility with telecoil-equipped hearing aids.
      Samsung Galaxy S24 FE: HAC 2019 Rating
  • The 2019 standard aligns with the FCC’s latest updates and improves testing conditions:
    • More reliable RF interference assessment.
    • Better compatibility with newer digital hearing aids.
    • Tighter compliance with 5G networks, reducing audio dropouts.
  • However, Samsung doesn’t specify an M/T rating for the S24 FE yet.

Verdict

  • The S24 FE is overall the better phone, thanks to:
    • Brighter & larger display
    • Faster processor
    • Better front camera
    • Newer HAC compliance for hearing aids

I don’t know about FCC data but I can give you my experience with both Costco hearing aids and cell phones. I started out with Jabra and a galaxy s23 and I had to return them twice for problems and never could get dependable bt connectivity so returned them. Got the Philips 9050 and just got new galaxy s25 and bt connectivity and hands free calling work perfectly. Good luck.

Edited

Used the Build Table feature - Took out my S23 side-by-side and replaced with S25 since you were happy that it worked! At this point in time the S25 is about 50% more.

Feature Samsung Galaxy S24 FE Samsung Galaxy 25 Possible Best for this Row
Display 6.7-inch AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1900 nits 6.2-inch AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 2600 nits S25 (brighter & more compact)
Processor Exynos 2400 (Global) / Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (US) Exynos 2500 (Global) / Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (US) S25 (newer & faster chipset)
RAM & Storage 8GB RAM, 128GB/256GB Storage 8GB/12GB RAM, 256GB/512GB Storage S25 (higher-end storage options)
Battery 4500mAh, 25W fast charging 4000mAh, 45W fast charging S25 (faster charging, but smaller battery)
Rear Camera 50MP (Main) + 12MP (Ultra-wide) + 8MP (Telephoto, 3x Zoom) 50MP (Main) + 12MP (Ultra-wide) + 10MP (Telephoto, 3x Zoom) S25 (better telephoto)
Front Camera 12MP 12MP (Improved features) S25 (better AI processing)
Software Android 14 (One UI 6) Android 15 (One UI 7) S25 (longer software support)
Build & Design Glass & Aluminum (Flat Edges) Titanium Frame (Slimmer Bezels) S25 (premium build)
Hearing Aid Compatibility (HAC) HAC 2019 Certified HAC 2019 Certified Tie
AI Features Basic AI Enhancements Galaxy AI (Advanced AI Camera & Voice Features) S25 (better AI experience)
Price (Est.) $649 $799 to $899 S24 FE (cheaper option)

In reply to @user990

GREAT POST! I am considering the Samsung S24 or S25. Looked up the upgrade ability for the S24. Here is what I found:

Will the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE Upgrade Beyond Android 14?

Yes, the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE will receive updates to Android 15 (One UI 7) and Android 16 (One UI 8), along with additional security updates. Samsung has significantly improved its software update policy, especially for its Galaxy S-series and FE models.
S24 FE will receive up to Android 18 (One UI 10), ensuring it remains updated for 5+ years.

In reply to @OatMan

A nice comparison but a few of corrections (I think). The s25 does not have a titanium frame (aluminum) and I believe I read that the s25 had the snapdragon chip worldwide. Also, in the US at least, the price of the s25 is $799.

Good points! The price on T-mobile has several levels from $799 to $999 depending on features and colors. Of course this is a point in time too. Went ahead and made an edit. You might be right on the Titanium Frame. I will suggest any buyer look closely at the details. These are general terms that ChatGPT found with Search Master and some other APIs. Can imagine this can also be variable over model numbers and time. Shoppers should use this as a guide, not a specification or recommendation. :grin:

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