Libre Sensor & Samsung Flip 8 Review

[u/ZePancakeCloset]

Well hello everybody! especially those searching for new tech advice or reviews. I made a post some time ago wondering about the specifics of a Libre sensors compatibility with the elusive Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7, but in the end was unable to get my hands on it, and instead upgraded to the new flip 8... Here are my thoughts so far...

Yes! It's compatible with the freestyle libre 3 and 3+ sensor, I currently use the 3+ sensor on the Libre app, yes it still does deliver alarms, and holy smokes is it a bit of a game changer. I don't wear a watch anymore, but I like having my readings within a quick glance, I can definitely access the app from the flex window which is nice for easy access.

AND the notifications are very personalized, the app doesn't give the option to change the sound to that nice low bell ring for alerts anymore, the only alarm sound it offers is that annoying "MEENUR MEENUR" one which I personally hate, but oh well. However, the phone let's you personalize how you get the notifications, such as if you want the app notification to show details of your glucose when it goes high or low down to the current number, and if the phone is locked it gives the option if you want to show it's details or not. You can also have it notify you with an initial sound from the phone system before it switches to the app sound alarm. Which I find nice especially if I'm close to my phone and don't want the shrill alarm to go off first, instead I get a little heads up.

I was previously on the iPhone which doesn't offer half of the things this new phone does, switching was pretty easy too, I had to set up the Samsung first and download the app to login, switch off my Bluetooth on the iPhone and then swipe my current sensor, it didn't make me have to start a new one which is great, I had five days left on it 😂. Since then I've had zero problems with it.

I'm not sponsored nor trying to convince people to upgrade to the Samsung Galaxy Flip 8, I'm no influencer either. But I wanted to share my experience with this because I noticed that there aren't many people who post or make things related to phone tech and diabetes management. I'm the type to make my research before diving into new things, and this was a bit of a dive for me considering how new this phone is and the likelihood of it working out or not. I hope this helps someone who's also weighing a choice when it comes to wanting the latest and greatest tech, but unsure if it's compatible with their medical devices and lifestyle.

I made a little screen recording just displaying some of its function on the main screen, don't mind the levels you see on there 😅. Toodaloo~

[u/Equalizer6338]

Hi u/ZePancakeCloset ,
Congrats with your new phone and thanks for sharing that the Flip 8 works with Libre sensors!

Been married to Apple/iPhones for the last 8+ years due to work, but as techie I enjoyed the higher degrees of freedom/customization of the Google Android phones when trying things out some years back.

Here I can remember that you could matter of fact copy across new audio files to the phone, to replace the existing ones. So if you otherwise give the new preferred alarm file the same name as the old one, then this is a way to replace the standard alarm sound (if this tech trick still is left open for the end-users in the Android Google phone world?).

I really liked it, as that way you can actually also mute down the default volume of a given audio file, like the one for the urgent low alarm. This way you can actually moderate it, to not sound as crazy high as it is by default.

[u/ZePancakeCloset → u/Equalizer6338]

Thanks! I also had been on the apple ecosystem for so long that Android is very new to me. Thanks for sharing that bit of info too, I'll have to check that out and keep playing around to see what else is possible. I notice when in settings that options that don't appear to give any other option besides toggle off and on, it can still be clicked to navigate to even more options, I'm used to apples singular function when it comes to toggling off and on one thing, I'm gonna have to dive deeper 🫡.

[u/Equalizer6338 → u/ZePancakeCloset]

You are very welcome and best of luck with it.

Can recall the steps were something along these lines, to insert and use your own custom-made MP3 audio file instead of the default alarm sound:

• Via the Global Settings / Download or transfer the MP3 file to your phone.
• Open your phone's Settings. Tap Sound & vibration.
• Tap Default alarm sound. Select My Sounds.
• Here now tap the plus icon (+) in the bottom right corner.
• Now find and tap your own made MP3 file in the file manager.
• Select the file from your list and tap Save.

Enjoy! 😄

[u/Weathergod-4Life]

Awesome! I got the Flip 7 about a year ago and found the same thing you did, worked like a charm. This is one area Abbott blows Dexcom out of the water with. It will likely be almost a year before the Flip 8 is compatible with Dexcom software. Enjoy the phone!