Can anyone suggest an inexpensive Android phone to be used as a receiver for Dexcom? I like Samsung Galaxy, but I’d like to find something cheaper. I had a bad experience with Motorola. I prefer unlocked.
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Hi @Sunshine and great to see your first post!
This is the list of phones compatibles with the G7 as of today: Dexcom G7 Compatible Phones and Smartwatches | Dexcom
My suggestion would be to go with brands that you know will be supported well, in particular with software. Right now, for me, on Android, this means Samsung and Google. I would stay away from any phones made by a PRC Chinese company due to upcoming risks on software support, that is, avoid Oppo, Xiaomi, OnePlus etc.
The Google Pixel 9a, introduced in March, goes for $500 right now, which is much less than the high end Samsung phones, and it should have another solid 6+ years of software support form Google—and the Pixel normally gets the fastest updates.
That said, the Pixels don’t get very good battery life in my experience, and diabetes applications use up a lot of battery because they are always on. So I would actually consider mid-range Samsung Galaxy phones:
- Samsung Galaxy A36, unlocked: $360 for 128K, $435 for 256K storage. It has an excellent 5,000mAh gallery that is really long lasting. If it was me, I might just pick the 256K version. I think it still has 4.5 years of upgrades.
- Samsung Galaxy A56, unlocked, $500 for 128K, $550 for 256K, both with a 5,000mAh battery with excellent battery life. I think it still has 5.5 years of upgrades.
For diabetes applications, I would hesitate to buy used phones that would be more than a few months old, because of the battery concern.
If you are looking for something cheaper, let us know and I can propose phones in a lower range of prices!
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Your choice is primarily decided by what app you are using as the receiver. If you use the Dexcom apps you get the Dexcom 'phones and Dexcom has an extensive and reasonable list. If you use xDrip+ you get a different choice; not as extensive perhaps but probably cheaper on average.
I use a “OnePlus 10T 5G” which I’ve had for a few years but still runs Android 15. It’s difficult to determine if that is on the Dexcom list; a good place to start is gsmarena.com because it gives all the information. The Dexcom supported 'phone is the “10 Pro” released in January, mine was released in August. Go figure; I checked xDrip+ (which only requires specific versions of Android, not specific phones) and AAPS (my AIDS) which has user tests of specific phones and I just went and bought the one I have because it also had a Big Battery.
Always buy an older phone. Never buy this years model (same applies to cars, televisions and, indeed, all computers).
Never buy a locked phone, or a locked pump, or a locked endo. All the same; make a mistake and regret it until the final end.
However, much though I love to hate Dexcom, the phone list is awesome. Just look through it; 'phones you never knew existed! I’ve got two ASUS computers, one is from the ROG but I never knew they made a 'phone until I read @michel’s link!
Cool; the ASUS ROG Phone 6 seems to be identical to the 'phone I still use today (the OnePlus) and currently costs $300 on eBay. Wow, I paid $500 in April 2023 (must have been a birthday present) for my identical product with a different brand name. Inflation, or not.
Today I can buy my 'phone from the same dubious seller for prices ranging from $140 to $280.
If you want something expensive always buy it used (though avoid Rolex/Louboutin as appropriate). Cheap, maybe, maybe not; get a moneyback.
I trolled through the Dexcom site, briefly; trolling is something very American, puttering through a lake with a hook dangling behind waiting to hook a sucker out of its depth. Couldn’t find anything; the going price for a 'phone in the US seems to be $150 regardless. Like the going price for a car is still $5,000. I suspect neither number will ever change!
Sorry, went off on a tangent.
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