Every time I turn it off, the Philips Sonicare plays a loud series of beeps, near my head, at times of day when I'm just waking up or about to sleep, for a toothbrush head that is well within its lifespan.
The only supported way to stop the beeping is to throw out the current toothbrush head, and pay Philips more money for a replacement that isn't needed yet.
I'm not sure what you mean by "every time I turn it off", or "loud series of beeps"... Are you sure you have an actual Sonicare? Because that doesn't need to be turned off after brushing (the cycle ends itself), nor is it capable of producing beeps that could be described as anywhere near "loud".
In any case, the user manual that helpfully ships with every genuine Sonicare, and is also easily accessible online, succinctly describes the steps to disable the beeping:
1. Put the handle on the plugged-in charger.
2. Press and hold the power on/off button while the handle remains on the charger.
3. Keep the power on/off button pressed until you hear a series of two short beeps (after 4-5 seconds).
4. Release the power on/off button.
But, as an actual Sonicare owner: when it beeps for replacement, the head is truly overdue for that. In fact, I synced the replacement schedule of my manual toothbrush (which sees an equivalent duty cycle in my case), and every time I look at both brushes, I have to admit: yup, those need replacement!
As an electrical engineer I want to just remind everybody that firmware can differ wildly between countries and even within one series depending on when it was deployed.
You discuss this as if it was one static unchanging thing, when it is likely at least 10-20 different things.
As a person thinking through this logically I just want to remind everybody that all that adds extra cost and effort and no company is going to do that unless they have to. Could a new firmware have been released mid-cycle? Sure. Could the firmware somewhere else in the world differ? Sure.
Is it likely that either is the case? Probably not. If anything, they would make a new firmware as part of a product launch.
I used be skeptical of electric toothbrushes, and still use manual brushes when travelling, but sonicare brushes are really good. Even my dentist once asked me which brush I use. YMMV
> Every time I turn it off, the Philips Sonicare plays a loud series of beeps
OK, that is annoying. Mine doesn't do that. I only got the annoying beeps a few times around the time the timer expired. Ever since only the different color light.
For me such an experience puts that manufacturer on my blacklist. I will never buy anything from them again, unless they managed to convince me that they changed their whole shtick.
There are many brand names on there, but hey, I am doing fine.
You do have to eventually replace your toothbrush head, though. You are grinding down the brush bristles with polishing compound ("toothpaste") every time you brush your teeth.
Every time I turn it off, the Philips Sonicare plays a loud series of beeps, near my head, at times of day when I'm just waking up or about to sleep, for a toothbrush head that is well within its lifespan.
The only supported way to stop the beeping is to throw out the current toothbrush head, and pay Philips more money for a replacement that isn't needed yet.