Can anyone recommend an inexpensive smart phone to be used as a Dexcom receiver? I’m looking for Android. I like Samsung Galaxy, but I was wondering if there are any cheaper options. I had a bad experience with Motorola.
I use a Google Pixel 7 Pro along with a Google Pixel pro 2 watch and they work very well.
But I seem to remember another thread where someone answered with a link to Dexcom’s website of supported cell phones. They are supported so Dexcom support them (sort of) and lots of them are cheap.
You can go on the Dexcom site and they have a complete list of compatible phones.
Please do NOT get the latest version of a phone. It may have not been approved yet.
This is the US compatibility list for G7 and there is also a tab you can click for the G6 or other countries
This site provides the information for pretty much every mobile across the whole planet:
It covers US-only cellphones (ones that don’t use GSM) as well. The can be used to find out what the capabilities of an approved device along with reviews and lots of information about a specific phone.
Notice that the Dexcom information is specific to the Dexcom app; the sensors themselves communicate with the mobile in ways that are pretty much completely standardised with even older models. The key is the “bluetooth” support. “Bluetooth LE” is required (IRC). The website below states that “Bluetooth 4” (or later/bigger number) is required on Android.
The main problem is that the operating systems are often incompatible with the app. In particular the “alarms” may not work and the app needs to run continuously so that it gets the CGM data in a timely fashion.
If you end up with an incompatible model (for example after an OS upgrade) there are other approaches which may still work. In particular xDrip+ may work, particularly on older phones.
The NightScout compatibility page explores a number of options with regard to sensors, operating systems, the collector (“receiver”) software and NightScout itself (of course 
The NightScout competitor, TidePool, also has some information but doesn’t dive into the sensor/phone compatibility matrix so far as I can see.
All this information changes with every new day. As @Steve3 observes new phones sometimes don’t work and are rarely approved. New versions of iOS and Android sometimes don’t work on an otherwise compatible old phone; the sites that list compatible phones will qualify that list with a range of operating systems.
To be safe do not allow an OS upgrade until it appears on your chosen web site for your chosen phone, or, if not, and you chose to upgrade please notify the site operators (well, the free ones) with the result!
If you don’t have access, let me know, and I can send more information.
From the NYT’s Wirecutter
From Consumer Reports
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@JamesIgoe makes two solid suggestions that are both on the Dexcom compatibility list. Between the two the Samsung phone is a better buy because Samsung has committed to providing updates until 2030. Support for the Moto phone ends at the end of 2027.
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There are others, it’s a matter of searching 
For example this is the XCover5, apparently new, at $160:
That will disappear, search for “SM-G525” to find another. Dexcom list the model numbers; always search for those; the “name” is reused for different versions with different provider capabilities.
Always check the model number carefully. The SM-G525F is a different model that may or may not work in the US depending on provider and where you live.
The nice thing about the XCovers are that the battery is replaceable and this is the thing that normally goes and is undetectable until the 'phone has been used for a while. Other things, like buttons that don’t work and ports, including charging ports, that don’t work are pretty much immediately obvious.
Going for “used” (“previously owned”, “lovingly cared for”, “used as a self defense weapon”) the SM-G525 starts coming down in price.
Also check family and friends. Sometimes people really do keep the things until all the payments are done, then they don’t have to do a “trade in” and may well keep the thing, particularly if they change provider. It can be unlocked at that point and, if it’s on the list and worked for them (they did keep it all that time) then it will probably work for you!
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Oneplus Nord 30 5G $299
Best deal, period.
Nothing in that price range is even close.
Will not do bolus etc.
I have one, it is outstanding.
Basically Zero bloatware
Stay away from Google, they bricked my pixel 4A because of supposed battery issues. They destroyed 95 percent of 4A on the planet because they could.
JamesIgoe listed a couple of Android phones with good prices.
I’ve had only Android smartphones, but I have great respect for iPhones. Yes iPhones generally are more expensive, but you might want to check out backmarket.com. I have purchased many used phones from them for years and have yet to be disappointed. They rate refurbished phones as fair, good, excellent or premium. I typically buy excellent, but I was happy with a good version on one purchase. They have a really good return policy, should you need it. So you could get quite a decent iPhone supported by Dexcom from backmarket.
One comment though – Dexcom seems to drop support rather quickly, so once you go that route, you will find yourself getting newer (but not the latest) supported phones more often than you might normally do. I realize it is costly for Dexcom to support a large number of devices, but I wish they would not drop support so quickly.
And as others point out, do not allow automatic major upgrades on the phone. A major upgrade could turn it into a Dexcom-unsupported device.