Sales:
(856) 437-5753 – Call Anytime
Service:
(217) 803-4059 – Mon–Fri 9–5 EST
Skip to main content
Skip to navigation
Memorial Day Sale: Save $100 on Your Next Pair of Hearing Aids — Plus a FREE TV Connector with Qualifying Pairs! Contact Us or Order Online — Savings Applied Automatically at Checkout.
TL;DR: Phonak Bluetooth hearing aid capabilities differ meaningfully across models. The Sphere Infinio Ultra and Infinio Ultra R run Bluetooth 5.3 with full hands-free calling on both iOS and Android. The Lumity runs Bluetooth 4.2 with hands-free on both platforms but narrower Android compatibility. All three support direct audio streaming, the myPhonak app, and our remote fitting service. Take our free online hearing test to get started.
The most common question we hear from buyers comparing Phonak hearing aids is some version of: will these actually work with my phone? Not just connect to it. Actually work. Hands-free calls, streaming, app control, all of it.
That question matters more than it used to. Hearing loss has consequences that extend well beyond difficulty following conversations. Research published in PMC found that adults with hearing loss face a 51% greater chance of experiencing a fall compared to those without hearing loss, a finding that reinforces why staying connected to phones, alerts, and the people around you is not just a convenience but a safety consideration.
Phonak Bluetooth hearing aid capabilities vary by model in ways that are not always obvious from marketing materials. This guide covers what each current model actually does, what the differences between Bluetooth versions mean in practice, what iOS and Android users can expect, and what Auracast support looks like right now. Our Bluetooth hearing aid pairing guide covers the setup process in detail if you want that alongside this.
Not all Bluetooth is the same, and the version a hearing aid uses determines a lot about what it can do with your phone. Current Phonak hearing aids use two different Bluetooth implementations across the lineup.
The Sphere Infinio Ultra and Infinio Ultra R both use Bluetooth 5.3 with LE Audio support. LE Audio is the current generation Bluetooth standard built specifically for audio streaming. It delivers lower latency than previous Bluetooth versions, uses less battery power for equivalent streaming quality, and enables Auracast broadcast audio. On compatible iOS and Android devices, Bluetooth 5.3 with LE Audio supports fully bidirectional hands-free calling, meaning you hear the caller through your hearing aids and they hear you via the hearing aid microphones, without holding your phone.
Both the Sphere Infinio Ultra and Infinio Ultra R pair with up to eight devices and maintain two simultaneous active connections. You can switch between a phone call on your mobile and audio from your laptop without going back into settings. Streaming range is roughly twice the distance of previous Phonak generations.
The Lumity runs Bluetooth 4.2, which supports both Classic Bluetooth and an earlier LE implementation. On iOS, the Lumity delivers full hands-free calling using Apple's MFi protocol. On Android, hands-free calling works on compatible devices, though the compatibility range is somewhat narrower than Bluetooth 5.3 because MFi is an Apple-specific protocol. The Lumity pairs with up to eight devices and supports two simultaneous active connections. Streaming quality is strong and reliable; the practical difference from Bluetooth 5.3 is most apparent at extended range and in battery efficiency during heavy streaming.
Here is what each current model actually does across the most common Bluetooth use cases.
The Sphere Infinio Ultra is the most capable Phonak model for Bluetooth connectivity. Full hands-free calling works on iPhone 11 and later with iOS 15.3 or higher, and on Android devices with Bluetooth 5.3 and LE Audio support. Audio streams directly from both platforms without an intermediary accessory.
Direct audio streaming works from any Bluetooth device for music, podcasts, video, and navigation audio. The myPhonak app provides full remote control of volume, EQ, and programs, plus real-time AutoSense OS 6.0 environment monitoring and health tracking data. Tap control lets you answer and end calls, toggle streaming, or trigger your phone's voice assistant with a double tap on the hearing aid.
Auracast status: Ready, firmware update pending. The Sphere Infinio Ultra hardware supports Auracast broadcast audio, which allows hearing aids to receive audio directly from compatible public broadcast systems in venues like theaters, airports, and transit stations. We will notify existing customers when the update is available.
The Infinio Ultra R shares the Sphere Infinio Ultra's Bluetooth 5.3 LE Audio platform and delivers an identical connectivity experience. Full hands-free calling on iOS and compatible Android devices, direct audio streaming, eight device pairing, two simultaneous active connections, and full myPhonak app control. Auracast status is the same as the Sphere Infinio Ultra.
The distinction between the Sphere Infinio Ultra and Infinio Ultra R is in AI sound processing, not Bluetooth capability. Both models are equal in connectivity terms.
The Lumity runs Bluetooth 4.2 with MFi and LE support. On iOS, hands-free calling works seamlessly on iPhone 11 and later. On Android, hands-free calling is supported on devices compatible with the Bluetooth 4.2 Classic audio profile, though compatibility varies more across Android hardware than on iOS. Direct audio streaming from both platforms works reliably. The myPhonak app provides full volume, EQ, program, and tap control on the L90.
Auracast status: Not supported. The Lumity's Bluetooth 4.2 hardware does not support Auracast broadcast audio.
| Feature | Sphere Infinio Ultra | Infinio Ultra R | Lumity L90 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth version | 5.3 LE Audio | 5.3 LE Audio | 4.2 MFi and LE |
| iOS hands-free | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Android hands-free | ✅ LE Audio devices | ✅ LE Audio devices | ✅ Compatible devices |
| Direct streaming | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Devices paired | Up to 8 | Up to 8 | Up to 8 |
| Simultaneous connections | 2 active | 2 active | 2 active |
| myPhonak app | Full | Full | Full |
| Tap control | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ L90 only |
| Auracast | Ready, firmware pending | Ready, firmware pending | Not supported |
This is the practical question most buyers have and the one most hearing aid product pages bury in fine print.
All three current Phonak models deliver a consistent, full-featured experience on iPhone. Hands-free calling, direct audio streaming, myPhonak app control, and tap control all work on iPhone 11 and later with iOS 15.3 or higher. There are no known compatibility gaps between Phonak hearing aids and supported iOS devices.
Android hands-free calling depends on your specific device's Bluetooth implementation. For the Sphere Infinio Ultra and Infinio Ultra R, full hands-free calling requires a device with Bluetooth 5.3 and LE Audio support. Recent Samsung Galaxy flagships, Pixel devices from Pixel 6 and later, and many current flagship Android phones meet this requirement. If your Android device predates LE Audio support, streaming still works but hands-free microphone use may require the Phonak PartnerMic accessory.
For the Lumity, Android hands-free calling works on devices compatible with the Bluetooth 4.2 Classic audio profile. Compatibility is broad but not universal across the Android ecosystem. Streaming audio from Android works reliably across all compatible devices on all three models.
If Android hands-free calling is your primary concern and you want guaranteed compatibility across any Android device regardless of age or brand, the Signia Pure Charge and Go BCT 7IX is worth considering alongside the Phonak lineup. It uses universal Bluetooth Classic, which connects to any Bluetooth device without protocol restrictions.
Auracast is worth understanding even though it is not yet activated on Phonak hardware. It is a Bluetooth broadcast standard that allows a single audio source, such as a venue sound system, to transmit directly to compatible hearing aids without pairing. You walk into a theater, select the Auracast stream, and hear the performance directly through your hearing aids at whatever volume your hearing loss requires.
The Sphere Infinio Ultra and Infinio Ultra R already have the hardware to receive Auracast streams. When the firmware update is released, these models will join the ReSound Vivia and Starkey Edge AI and Omega AI as hearing aids with active Auracast capability. We will communicate the update timeline to all current customers when it becomes available.
The Lumity does not have Auracast-capable hardware. If Auracast is a deciding factor, the Infinio series is the appropriate choice.
Bluetooth capability only matters if your hearing aids are fitted and programmed correctly for your hearing profile. Bluetooth streaming into a poorly fitted hearing aid is like high-definition audio through a broken speaker.
Traditional clinics charge thousands more for the same Phonak hearing aids you see here, require multiple in-person appointments, and often limit ongoing adjustments after your initial fitting. We provide licensed hearing care providers using the same manufacturer programming software, unlimited remote adjustments, and significant cost savings, all without leaving your home. Bare-bones online sellers ship pre-configured devices with no professional fitting, no licensed involvement, and minimal ongoing support.
Our remote fitting process delivers your hearing aids pre-programmed to your audiogram. Your first remote appointment fine-tunes everything from gain and frequency response to Bluetooth streaming behavior and app settings. Every Phonak Bluetooth hearing aid we sell includes a 60-day risk-free trial.
Yes, though compatibility varies by model and Android device. The Sphere Infinio Ultra and Infinio Ultra R support full hands-free calling on Android devices with Bluetooth 5.3 and LE Audio. The Lumity supports hands-free calling on Android devices compatible with Bluetooth 4.2 Classic audio. All three models support direct audio streaming from Android phones. If you want hands-free calling guaranteed on any Android device, ask us about Signia as an alternative.
All three current Phonak models support two simultaneous active Bluetooth connections. You can stream from your laptop and keep your phone connected simultaneously. Switching between them is handled through the myPhonak app or by answering an incoming call, which automatically takes priority.
Auracast is a Bluetooth broadcast standard that lets public venues transmit audio directly to compatible hearing aids. The Sphere Infinio Ultra and Infinio Ultra R have the hardware to receive Auracast streams and will be activated via a firmware update. We will notify customers when that update is released. The Lumity does not support Auracast.
Yes. Heavy streaming reduces battery runtime on all models. The Sphere Infinio Ultra delivers up to 56 hours without streaming and approximately 16 to 18 hours with heavy streaming. Its Infinio Ultra R sibling delivers up to 24 hours without streaming. Lumity users can expect up to 24 hours without streaming, with reduced runtime under heavy streaming. All three models are rechargeable with a full charge time of approximately three to three and a half hours.
Yes. The Phonak TV Connector accessory streams audio directly from your television to all three current models without Bluetooth pairing. It plugs into your TV's audio output and creates a direct wireless connection to your hearing aids. This is separate from Bluetooth and works at greater range than a typical Bluetooth connection.
Phonak Bluetooth hearing aid capabilities range from strong to outstanding depending on the model and your device. The Sphere Infinio Ultra and Infinio Ultra R give you the most current Bluetooth technology with full hands-free support on iOS and compatible Android. The Lumity delivers reliable streaming and hands-free on iOS and most Android devices at a lower price point.
Whichever model suits you, we fit it remotely using the same professional process traditional clinics use, and we include unlimited adjustments with every device we sell.
Reach out to our hearing care experts and we will match you with the right Phonak Bluetooth hearing aid for your phone, your lifestyle, and your hearing.
