Comparing the Phonak Infinio Ultra with the Infinio: What's improved?

Phonak Infinio Ultra vs Infinio Hearing Aids

Phonak's latest Range: What you actually need to know

Overview    |    What they share    |    The Infinio Ultra    |    The Infinio Ultra Sphere    |    A comparison    |    Conclusion

Overview

Phonak has streamlined its premium hearing aid lineup, and the current range centres on two variants: the Infinio Ultra and the Infinio Ultra Sphere. Both represent Phonak's latest technology - the previous standard Infinio and Infinio Sphere lines have been discontinued.

So you're choosing between two genuinely advanced options rather than deciding whether to upgrade or not. The question is: do you need the Sphere's additional firepower, or will the standard Ultra handle everything you throw at it?

Plus, what has stayed the same and what has improved since the original superseded Infinio?  Let's find out...

What they share: Core hardware & design

• ERA processing chip - Still the foundation of both models
• Rechargeable technology - Both old and new have rechargeable options
• RIC options - Same physical format available
• Spheric Speech Clarity technology - The name and core concept carried over (though enhanced)
• myPhonak app compatibility - App control remained consistent
• Universal Bluetooth connectivity - Both support iPhone and Android
• Roger technology integration - Compatible with Roger accessories
• Water and dust resistance - IP68 rating maintained
• Colour options - Similar palette available

Old Infinio → Infinio Ultra R:

This is evolutionary refinement in a nutshell. The hardware foundation (ERA chip) stayed the same, but the software (AutoSense OS 7.0), connectivity, and maintenance were meaningfully improved. Think of it as the same car with a much better engine management system, upgraded infotainment, and easier servicing.

Old Infinio Sphere → Infinio Ultra Sphere:

This is revolutionary hardware, and the addition of the dedicated DEEPSONIC AI chip is genuinely new technology that didn't exist before. This isn't just better software running on the same hardware - it's additional processing power specifically for speech-in-noise challenges.

The new Ultra foundation

Both hearing aids are built on the same impressive platform, which means you're getting premium technology regardless of which you choose.

They both use AutoSense OS 7.0 - Phonak's latest environment detection system that's been trained on 18 times more sound environments than previous versions. This translates to roughly 24% more precise adaptation to different listening situations compared to older Phonak models.

You'll get excellent Bluetooth connectivity with both variants (up to eight devices paired, two active simultaneously, with simplified one-step pairing that actually works), rechargeable batteries with impressive longevity, and those clever EasyGuard domes that reduce how often you're fiddling with wax-filter changes.

The myPhonak app works seamlessly with both, giving you control over settings and adjustments when you need them.

Honestly, you're starting from an excellent baseline with either option - this isn't a case of "basic vs premium" but rather "premium vs ultra-premium for specific situations.

The Infinio Ultra: Premium performance for most lives

The standard Ultra variant represents Phonak's premium technology for the majority of listening situations. It uses the ERA processing chip to deliver what Phonak calls Spheric Speech Clarity - essentially sophisticated algorithms that help you understand speech even when there's competing noise around you.

The AutoSense OS 7.0 system works constantly in the background, recognising your environment and adjusting accordingly. Moving from a quiet room to a busy cafe? No problem, the Ultra adapts automatically.

Taking a phone call? No problem, it switches seamlessly to optimal streaming mode. It's genuinely set-and-forget technology that handles the vast majority of daily listening challenges without you needing to think about it.

Battery life is strong - you'll get a full day's use comfortably, and the rechargeable system means you simply pop them on the charger overnight.

The Bluetooth connectivity is reliable enough that you'll actually want to use it for music, podcasts, and phone calls rather than seeing it as a feature that sounds good but doesn't quite work properly.

The Ultra also handles noise well. It separates speech from background sound effectively in most situations, and for many people, it's more than capable of managing their daily listening needs, whether that's conversations at home, meetings at work, or social outings in moderately noisy environments.

The Infinio Ultra Sphere

When you need extra muscle

The DEEPSONIC advantage

Here's where things get interesting. The Ultra Sphere takes everything from the standard Ultra and adds dedicated hardware specifically designed for the most challenging listening situations.

The key difference is an additional DEEPSONIC chip that focuses purely on separating speech from noise coming from any direction. This isn't just a software upgrade - it's actual additional processing power dedicated to one specific task:

Helping you understand conversations when noise is coming at you from multiple directions simultaneously.

In practical terms, this means the Sphere excels in situations where the standard Ultra might start to struggle:

Think busy restaurants with hard surfaces where conversation bounces everywhere, crowded networking events with dozens of people talking at once, open-plan offices where there's no escape from multiple sound sources, or outdoor spaces where wind and traffic compete with the person you're trying to hear.

Remarkable battery performance

Rather impressively, despite having additional processing power running constantly, the Sphere variant actually achieves better battery life in certain conditions - up to 56 hours in optimal situations.

Obviously, real-world use varies depending on streaming, environment, and settings, but it's genuinely impressive that adding more processing power hasn't compromised battery performance.

The same great connectivity

The Sphere shares all the connectivity improvements of the standard Ultra: simplified Bluetooth pairing, support for multiple devices, reliable streaming, and hands-free calling that works properly.

You're not sacrificing anything in terms of connectivity or convenience by choosing Sphere - you're purely adding speech-in-noise capability.

The real differences: A comparison between the Ultras

Consider the Infinio Ultra Sphere if:

• You regularly spend time in genuinely chaotic listening environments - think bustling restaurants where you can't choose where to sit, large family gatherings with everyone talking over each other, conferences and networking events, open-plan offices with constant background chatter.
• You've previously found that hearing aids work brilliantly at home, but leave you exhausted and frustrated after challenging social situations.
• You often find yourself in situations where noise isn't just "behind you" but coming from every direction - the Sphere's multi-directional processing really shines here.
• You want absolute confidence that your hearing aids can handle whatever listening situation life throws at you.
• You're willing to invest in the best speech-in-noise technology currently available.

The Infinio Ultra is likely perfect if:

• Your listening environments are varied but manageable - quiet home life, typical office settings, regular social outings, occasional noisy situations.
• You want great technology (AutoSense OS 7.0, improved connectivity, reduced maintenance) without paying extra for extreme-noise capabilities you won't regularly use.
• Most of your challenging listening involves noise from one primary direction rather than multiple competing sources.
• You've found that previous premium hearing aids generally work well, but you want the latest improvements in adaptation and connectivity.
• You'd rather invest the price difference elsewhere while still getting excellent hearing technology.

The honest truth about noise

Here's something worth considering: the Sphere's additional capability really does make a difference in extreme noise, but "extreme noise" isn't where most people spend most of their time.

If you're someone who occasionally goes to a busy restaurant but spends most days in more controlled environments, the standard Ultra will likely serve you brilliantly 95% of the time.

However, if those challenging situations are regular occurrences - if they're part of your work life, your social life, or your family life - then the Sphere's additional processing power could genuinely reduce listening fatigue and improve your quality of life in those moments.

It's about matching the technology to your actual lifestyle rather than simply buying the most expensive option.

Conclusion

Both the Infinio Ultra and Ultra Sphere represent Phonak's current best technology - these aren't old models we're trying to clear out or entry-level options dressed up as premium. You're choosing between excellent and exceptional, and which is right depends entirely on your specific circumstances.

The Sphere genuinely does offer measurable improvements in extreme noise situations with multi-directional sound sources. Whether those improvements matter to you depends on how often you encounter those situations and how much they impact your quality of life.

For some people, the Sphere is genuinely life-changing. For others, the standard Ultra delivers everything they need and more.

The best approach is to have a proper conversation with a qualified audiologist about your specific hearing loss, your lifestyle, and the listening situations you find most challenging.

At Hearing Aid UK, that's exactly what we do - and we do it without pressure, with genuinely independent advice, and with the confidence that comes from our lifetime aftercare commitment.

If you'd like to discuss whether the Phonak Infinio Ultra or Ultra Sphere would be right for you, we're here to help. Our audiologists can visit you at home anywhere in the UK, assess your hearing, understand your lifestyle, and help you make an informed decision based on your actual needs rather than marketing claims.

After all, choosing hearing aids should be about finding the right technology for your life, not simply buying the most expensive option because it exists.

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