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Looking at new Costco aids and new Android phone

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Had a message today from Costco audiologist that the Jabra Enhance pro 30’s are available to order and Sennheiser Sonites very soon. I’m thinking the Jabra’s with custom tips rather than the Sonite’s, because I already have KS10’s. So roughly £1400 for aids and tips ( also includes one assistive device) would leave me with plenty room to purchase a new phone. Although I have never spent much money on phones as I rarely use them other than for calls and some streaming.
So any thoughts on choosing a new phone, also will the Floogoo connect the Jabra’s directly to my PC?

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I just recently updated the phone to a Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra to get the needed for the features to work (Phillips 9050’s). I went with the S25 to get the 1TB memory, I believe the S24 will get you what you need as well. Others here are the experts. I’m happy with the S25’s performance :+1:

I have a Pixel 9 pro and the Avantree Voyager. Everything works seamlessly. The Voyager plugs in to 3.5 mm audio out. I also use it with a 3.5 mm to usb c dongle for my iPad.

I have an Samsung S23 that I purchased used from Amazon. I saved a hundred dollars or so.

I have the new Jabra’s and a Samsung S24FE and touch to answer works great. Just tap your aid to answer a call with your phone in your pocket. Streaming has been rock solid, no drop outs or losing connection to one aid. I really like them.

@BarryH said:

although it does not use ASHA protocol, so I will purchase a later model which does.

I’d strongly suggest you purchase one which has , or you’ll be extremely disappointed when you can’t take advantage of the latest advances in bluetooth tech. will soon be obsolete.
You could look for a google pixel 8-9 series, or Samsung S23-25 series.

I am a bargain hunter and usually buy a handset outright and then a cheap SiM on a monthly contract so I can flit quickly.

But in February I took out a two-year deal with iD Mobile (Currys PC worlD)
this was cheaper than buying the phone outright.

I sat down and did the maths to ensure it was the case.

I paid a £270ish fee for the phone - a Galaxy S25 - and then a two year contract at £19.99 a month for unlimited data (£480 over two years and around £750 in total).

I got some trade in value for my old iPhone too.

I got the deal by searching uSwitch. You have to look beyond the main networks to get the best deals.
Look at the total cost of the contract, not the monthly fee or upfront cost. Don’t get sidetracked by the freebies some throw in unless you will use them.

And it is also worth going to uSwitch via a cashback site like Quidco or TopCashback.

Six months in, S25 has been great at just pairing with my aids. I dont even need to worry.
The live captioning of calls doesnt work on wifi for some reason.
But live transcribe is great.

And too! Really important

Personally, the only phones Id be looking at right now are the Pixel 9 - watch the price as the 10 gets closer - and the S25.

Good luck!

I recommend a Samsung A54 rather than the S25. Half the price, but better value for money (say many reviewers), and both have Bluetooth LE audio.

A comment on the Jabra’s - the volume controls use both ears - up on one side, down on the other. I sometimes have to move my eyeglass earpiece out of the way to hit controls on , so this interface eliminated the Jabra 30 from consideration. Went with the Sennheiser Sonnite Rs. Audio was a bit different than the Jabra but on-device interface much better. Just wish the Sonite charger did not require external power source. As always, YMMV.

Testing in-store, I found both the Jabras and Sonites to have vastly superior b/t interfacing with my Pixel 8XL compared to several year-old Resounds (also Costco). I also got the external mic for the Sonite. Once it has been paired, it “just works” and does not require the phone app to manage (another huge improvement over the Resounds). Hopefully the Jabra does as well. Good luck!

@Steve_G55 said:

the volume controls use both ears - up on one side, down on the other. I sometimes have to move my eyeglass earpiece out of the way to hit controls

I trialled the Philips 9050 and the volume controls are the same, which was one reason why I returned them. At times I like to make adjustments without having to use my phone, which is why I prefer a rocker switch to control volume. So this is maybe pointing me towards the Sennheiser rather than the Jabra 30. Only I have KS10’s, so I’m not sure how much of a step up the Sonites would be.

While a trial in the store is less than optimal, I tried both the Sonite and Jabra 30 walking around the store, listening for conversations (high noise background is a given). I already knew how the Resounds failed in this environment. I was satisfied with both devices, so it came down to the on-device interface for volume and program selection (Sonite won). I’d prefer a self-contained charger, but a cell phone power bank is good enough for my needs. Costco’s 6 mo trial period also helps.

I believe that in SmartFit the Jabra’s push button control can be set to different configurations so as to have independent volume control and what long and short pushes accomplish

The Jabras are known to have a sharper sound so your comment makes sense. Some people find the sound “tiring” from what I’ve read

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