Samsung Unpacked 2025: Google introduces improved hearing aid features

Along with a number of related announcements Samsung’s Galaxy S25 launch At Samsung Unpacked 2025 on Wednesday, Google announced a pair of accessibility improvements for Android. This includes improvements to the screen reader, along with hearing aid functionality.

The hearing aid updates come after Google expanded the offering as part of the Android 15 rollout. Last year was a big year for the hearing aid industry, as the FDA approved over-the-counter access to the technology in May. This in turn has created a new industry of smart hearing aids connected to mobile devices.

Apple was given in September FDA approval For AirPods Pro to double as hearing aids. It’s a move that will no doubt be echoed by several headphone makers next year, and facilitated by both first-party software and Android updates.

Wednesday’s updates bring LE Bluetooth compatibility, which in turn brings features like hands-free calling and lower-latency connections. Along with the S25, the feature is rolling out to the S24 and Google’s own Pixel 9 thanks to Android 16 beta updates.

At the same time, Android’s TalkBack screen reader. People who use braille will be able to access HID (human interface design). USB-IF foundation introducing the HID standard in 2018 noted it will “facilitate the use of braille displays across operating systems and different types of hardware. It will also simplify development, eliminating the need for special software for braille devices and drivers created for a specific operating system or screen reader.”

The feature will roll out to the Galaxy S25 in the coming weeks, followed by all Android 15 smartphones and tablets in the coming months. TalkBack also gets improved picture descriptions via Google Gemini.