U Flex Headphone not compatible with S9 & S9+ / music playback not working on S9+, but ok on S7

[s1mplicity]

I am scratching my head over this one.

Using my S7 edge I have no issues at all getting audio (calls and music) played back on my U Flex Headphones. Both are truly great products. On the new S9+ I can use the U Flex Headphones for calls, but music playback simply will not work. When I turn off Bluetooth on the phone and switch off the headset for a few minutes, then turn both on again, I can get about 1 or 2 seconds of music from Spotify etc. but then headset goes quiet. What is really odd with all this, is that if I then make or receive a call, the headset works just fine.

What I also noticed is that whenever playback video with the headset connected, the video will not play steadily and there is no sound on the headset. The moment I turn off the U Flex headset, video playback is fine again.

Similarly I also noticed issues when using the headset for audio playback on a Mac.

Last but not least, I was able to test and reproduce the issue consitently with 3 pairs of U Flex headsets.

I am suspecting an issue with higher bit-rate audio playbacks. Is there anything I can do to be able to use the headset on the S9+ also for music rather than just calls? Is there a way to lower the bit-rate?

BTW, the S9 is a nice device, but just please Samsung, allow users to turn off ALL the Samsung apps on it. I really do not want to use Bixby and it always keeps on getting in the way.

[s1mplicity]

I am getting really annoyed about this one now.
Can I return the headphones? I am considering returning the S9+ too now. Battery life of the S9+ and all the bloatware that cannot be disabled is a misery. The S9 would be a fine device if Samsung just fixed the Software on it.

[s1mplicity]

While connected to a U Flex Bluetooth headset I found that Video recording is not possible anymore on the S9. The Camera apps freezes and ultimately crashes. Anyone seen something similar? 

[Andysaputra]

The work around is to restart the phone and headphones. Please help samsung. An update will be great. Love the product but it is really getting annoying.

[s1mplicity]

I can confirm that. However, sometimes multiple reboots of the phone are required.

[Andysaputra]

I have found a working solution. I tried factory reset on my phone and everything worked perfectly when connected.

[s1mplicity]

Hmm... given the impact and inconvenience caused, not what I'd consider acceptable for a device with this price tag.

Just one question though: Did you have the Samsung Level app installed before and/or after the reset?

[Andysaputra]

Thats what I thought. But that was all the samsung support could suggest and it worked. I guess thats what matters. You could back it up to the sd card and leave it for a night after you reset so that it downloads all the apps exactly the same. Downside is u hv to log in everything again. Not to some apps that use google smart lock.

After I reset and try to connect it, it recommended me to download the samsung level u app first. 

[Andysaputra]

I may have found a way. After I reset, not long after that my u flex didnt work again. What I did now is:

Go to bluetooth settings

Choose the other settings menu

Choose dual audio

Switch it to on

I think it switches the audio sync off and after that it worked like normal again. Hoped it helps

[s1mplicity]

This does work! Is it a solution? No, it's a workaround. The issue is not fixed. Only Samsung can do this.

I was able to to switch on dual audio and turn it back off again. The headset continued to work after I turned dual audio off again. 

Thanks for posting this!