Android phone with BT 5.3 & LE Audio (2025)

Currently have 3 androids, one activated, a Samsung S9, which has Bluetooth 5.0. Am scheduled in 9 days to get my 1st hearing aids fitted, Rexton Reach. To get decent streaming into those HAs I'll need a phone with at least Bluetooth 5.2, which supports LE Audio. Looking around a bit, I figure the Pixels make sense for me because of the 7 year support. My Samsung S9 is limited to Android 10, for instance.

Does the Pixel 8 make the most sense for me?

I don't currently do a lot of calling, so the nuances of hands free calling aren't something I'm focusing on. I figure get Bluetooth 5.3. The Pixel 8a has that but won't get Auracast, which is a thing going forward. I don't know how or if I'll utilize that, but figure I ought to get that in a phone I'll keep for 6 years or so, and the Pixel 8 has that (with an update).

Size I don't require, I mean a big screen. Camera, I haven't been utilizing because my Windows laptops don't even see any of my Android phones so if I want to save a JPG to my NAS I need to email it to myself, AFAIK! I figure to upgrade my 2 Lenovo P1 laptops (1st Gen and 3rd Gen) to Windows 11 soon in hopes to fix that issue with seeing my phones and also to get LE Audio support.

OK, so is the Pixel 8 the way to go? I figure there might well be options that make more sense for me. I'm not used to carrying a turned on phone in my pocket but from now on, probably will/should because I'll want the phone app available for my new HAs. Thanks for thoughts, suggestions!
- - - -
Edit:
AI Overview
Learn more

Android phones that support Bluetooth 5.3 and LE Audio include the latest generation Google Pixel devices, Samsung Galaxy S series, and other flagship models running Android 13 or later, allowing users to take advantage of the improved audio quality and features offered by the new Bluetooth standard; however, not all Android phones currently support LE Audio, so check your specific device compatibility.

Key points about Bluetooth 5.3 and LE Audio on Android:

• Android 13 support:
  Most recent Android versions like Android 13 have native support for Bluetooth LE Audio.
• Compatible devices:
  Check for phones like Google Pixel 7/8, Samsung Galaxy S23 series, and newer Samsung foldable phones.
• Features:
  LE Audio enables features like improved sound quality, low latency, broadcast audio (Auracast), and better battery life.

Edit2: The Pixel 7 phones do not support LE Audio or Auracast.

Oops, just saw this. My stepdaughter has had the Pixel 8 for a few months now, and she really likes it so that's a good call. And with 7 years of software updates and phone features kinda plateauing, you should be able to use it for a while.

Paying extra for an equivalent Samsung wouldn't have been worth it.

A very very odd buying experience, the details:

I call Best Buy today just after they opened, the nearest, 3 miles from me. Eventually get a woman on the phone. In asking about this and that the woman mentions they have an Open Box 256GB Pixel 8 unlocked available. It's only about $12 more than the "new" 128GB model. Can order online or at the store. Says ordering online insures I get it, rather than chancing someone else will ahead of me. I order it online. I payed with Paypal. Message said it would be ready for pickup in about an hour and I'd be emailed when it was ready.

I got on with my morning and then look at my email inbox and there are messages about my order being cancelled and a refund on Paypal. I follow the links and it says the item is not available. I call to ask WTH happened. I get a guy. He says someone else ordered it a bit before me but their system didn't update until later, therefore my order is cancelled. I say I think they should provide me with one at the price I paid. He says they can't do that. I insist they should. He says they can't. I ask to talk to his manager. He assures me the manager will say the same thing. I insist, insist again. He puts me on hold, comes back after a while and doesn't put the manager on but says the manager says to direct me to order at regular price and they will make the adjustment.

I meantime, holding my phone in one hand, am navigating their website with the other hand and attempt to order the item. It shows that delivery is not available and that pickup isn't available either. Therefore I can't order it! All the time I'm on the phone with this guy. I keep poking around and discover they have an Open Box one, also top quality, the "Excellent" kind, just like the one I ordered earlier that got cancelled. It says I can pick it up either 30 or 36 miles away or have free delivery on Dec. 3 (Tuesday). I go for the delivery. It's the exact same price I paid for the one that was cancelled.

I call back and ask if I have the 14 day return on this. The guy says for the holidays this is extended until Jan. 14, 2025. I say full refund? He says no, on cell phones they have a $45 restocking fee. Meantime, my provider, redpocket.com tells me I have to provide them with the IMEI number to know if it works on their networks. So, when I get it I have to get the IMEI and call them.

dainthomas said:

Oops, just saw this. My stepdaughter has had the Pixel 8 for a few months now, and she really likes it so that's a good call. And with 7 years of software updates and phone features kinda plateauing, you should be able to use it for a while.

Paying extra for an equivalent Samsung wouldn't have been worth it.

Click to expand...

The Samsung S23 (pretty equivalent in features and price and release date, being early 2023) would give me 1/2 as long support as the Pixel 8 (3 versus 6 years).