# Seeking advice how to pick a new cell phone for 2026

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeking-advice-how-to-pick-a-new-cell-phone-for-2026/1026251>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [January 1, 2026, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeking-advice-how-to-pick-a-new-cell-phone-for-2026/1026251 "2026-01-01T17:50:36Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 4

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**Author:** ![bobsmom101](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobsmom101/32/2867_2.png) [@bobsmom101](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobsmom101)\
**Post date:** [March 17, 2026, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeking-advice-how-to-pick-a-new-cell-phone-for-2026/1026251/61 "2026-03-17T18:26:57Z")

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Update: Deep in the phone menu list I found a “contact us” option! I did get a real human, though with a strong middle-European accent, who insisted on using my first name in every sentence and mispronouncing it (“Thank you bubsmum, have you tried restarting your Pixel phone?”)

She asked what steps I had tried and I ran through all of them. She then said she would send me an email with a set of diagnostic steps. I got the email: it is all the same troubleshooting steps recommended online that I’d already told her didn’t work. The most galling was the recommendation to contact the manufacturer of the device I was trying to connect. It is ALL OF THEM you idiots!

If all else fails, I am supposed to find a Google Pixel service center and have my phone “repaired.”

Sorry for the rant – but surely I’m not the only one with this issue?

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**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\
**Post date:** [March 17, 2026, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeking-advice-how-to-pick-a-new-cell-phone-for-2026/1026251/62 "2026-03-17T20:12:19Z")

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Hey @bobsmom101,

Sorry you’re having trouble with your Bluetooth! Have you tried restarting your phone yet?

I kid, I kid!

In the Fi app itself, the Support tab should let you chat, email, or call a live person. In the past I’ve had good luck with them but I’m not sure how much they can help with device issues. Since you bought it from them, though, I think they should be responsible? Maybe consider asking for a replacement under warranty?

I’ve not had my Bluetooth fail, even on the latest update (just checked). I just used it multiple times today. Sorry!

You can also try a complete device factory reset if you want (but make sure to back everything up first – it can all go into the cloud and recovery should be pretty straightforward).

My SUSPICION is that it’s a hardware or firmware issue, maybe only affecting certain batches? It’s the kind of thing a phone store could help diagnose, but I wouldn’t bother with that since it’s still new and should be well within warranty. Sorry I don’t have a better idea for you!

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**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\
**Post date:** [March 17, 2026, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeking-advice-how-to-pick-a-new-cell-phone-for-2026/1026251/63 "2026-03-17T21:24:15Z")

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Agree you’ve probably had hardware failure coincidentally near a software update. Warranty replacement phone is the path of least resistance and least frustration.

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