skierrob2

Q: iPhone SE Bluetooth issues

I have a new iPhone SE and have so far paired it to a 2014 BMW 328i and a 2011 Kia Optima and a 2015 Kia Santa Fe. In all cases, I have terrible quality bluetooth call reception... the audio while on a phone call is extremely scratchy and distorted.

 

If I pair an iPhone 6S to each of these vehicles (same iOS version - 9.3.1), I do NOT experience these issues and calls are clear.

 

When I use the iPhone SE to make phone calls outside of Bluetooth, I have no issues and calls are clear.

 

This bluetooth issue on my iPhone SE does NOT impact Bluetooth music streaming. Only sounds scratchy / distorted with phone calls.

 

Apple, so far, is blaming the vehicle manufacturers despite there being multiple vehicle models and brands involved.

 

BMW and Kia state this must be an Apple problem.

 

Apple Genius bar is absolutely no help -- they state they can't report "software issues" to Apple and are only able to replace bad iPhones.

 

I'm at a complete loss as to how to get this to Apple's attention so they can fix the issue.

 

For now, I don't know what to do. All I know is that Bluetooth audio is very important to me in California since it is illegal to use your phone except in a hands free manner.

 

Anyone know how we can get this information to someone at Apple that can actually do something about it?

 

Robert

Posted on Apr 4, 2016 5:27 PM

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Q: iPhone SE Bluetooth issues

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  • by pike2k,

    pike2k pike2k Apr 9, 2016 7:00 AM in response to skierrob2
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Apr 9, 2016 7:00 AM in response to skierrob2

    I just tested my iPhone SE with a headset of a different brand, Samsung.

    No surprises, same issue as with the Plantronics one.

  • by saildiverdog,

    saildiverdog saildiverdog Apr 9, 2016 7:44 AM in response to skierrob2
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPhone
    Apr 9, 2016 7:44 AM in response to skierrob2

    I'm returning my 2 SE's today.  But I wanted to add my experience, because it's a bit different than what I've read so far.  I tried to open a ticket with Apple support yesterday, including running diagnostics, but they couldn't schedule a call and I don't have any more time to mess with it.  I'm going back to my Android phone until I'm up for trying another iPhone.

     

    I've had the scratchy and muffled distortion issue with Sync on my 2015 Ford F150.  BUT, mine is intermittent -- doesn't happen on every call.  AND, I've had one call where it cleared up after the first minute or so.  Also, I asked Siri a question and her answer, through Sync, was scratchy and muffled, just like the calls.  And I've had at least one call without BT that had the same scratchy and muffled symptoms, like palmas69 -- again, it's intermittent.  I haven't had any issues streaming music through Sync or a BT speaker.

  • by FreddiP,

    FreddiP FreddiP Apr 9, 2016 8:03 AM in response to skierrob2
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apr 9, 2016 8:03 AM in response to skierrob2

    To update, seems to be an issue with the way audio is modulated/compressed.  When I call to landline with a cordless phone, the sound is terrible, there's a significant improvement in audio quality when they pick up a wired phone to landline instead.  Audio not that bad calling another iPhone.  Haven't call other types of cells.  Audio is crystal clear when using Skype call or similar service to call landline.  FaceTime call seems ok, but it's from iPhone to iPhone which isn't that bad through phone app anyways.

  • by Ckm0424,

    Ckm0424 Ckm0424 Apr 9, 2016 9:43 AM in response to skierrob2
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apr 9, 2016 9:43 AM in response to skierrob2

    I have experienced the exact same Bluetooth audio distortion issues on my new iPhone SE and was connected to my Hyundai Elantra BlueConnect device.

    My iPhone 5S had no problems what so ever. in fact Apple tech support advised me to go to my dealer to rule out software issues on my car's Bluetooth. While I was waiting for my dealer to disconnect my car battery for a full electronic reset to my car, I called 'BlueConnect' customer support for further trouble shooting. During my call, the BlueConnect support staff informed me that I was not the first person to call with the same problems with the new iPhone SE. During this very conversation, at one point the entire conversation went dead (I was talking on my new iPhone SE) for about 15 seconds but then reception returned to my handset and I continued my conversation. Conincidentally, the car dealer service technician handed me the keys to my car and said that while he drove my car out of the service bay and was in range of signal of my iPhone from the bluetooth inside my car, he briefly picked up on my conversation via Bluetooth and he said the audio from my bluetooth was inaudable and cutting out. At know time did my iPhone sound distorted because once my car was out of bluetooth signal, my call picked up on my handset with complete clarity. I have no doubt this is a software related issue or even a phone hardware related problem. I am therefore going to return my iPhone SE and continuse using my iPhone 5S and wait until the Bluetooth issue is resolved on the iPhone SE. it is also illegal to use a cellphone in Ontario Canada and there important for me to have a properly functioning iPhone when I am driving. I would like to also mention that the same day I purchased my me iPhone SE i immediately paired it to my car's Bluetooth device. Moments later i received my first incoming call to my new SE iPhone and it was absolutely impossible to converse. I had to end the call. I then returned the call but it was again distorted. About an hour later, I called out using my Bluetooth and had a clearer conversation. This problem has continued and is intermittent in nature as well as distortion intensity. Fortunately I have 15 days to return my phone at no cost to me. I do hope Apple will address this problem since it is most evident this problem has to do with the new iPhone SE and I am relived to know I will not spend any more time troubleshooting after reading this thread. Thank-you fellow iPhone users for sharing your problems.

  • by Ckm0424,

    Ckm0424 Ckm0424 Apr 9, 2016 9:51 AM in response to Ckm0424
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apr 9, 2016 9:51 AM in response to Ckm0424

    I appologize for the typos in my last reply but my iPad is correcting words and often inserting the wrong spellings. If anyone knows how to correct the spell checkER on my iPhone and iPad, please advise. I was also in a rush to reply to the above iPhone SE Bluetooth problems and so I did not proof read for typing mistakes... sorry and have a great weekend 

  • by Allisonm67,

    Allisonm67 Allisonm67 Apr 9, 2016 10:50 AM in response to Ckm0424
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apr 9, 2016 10:50 AM in response to Ckm0424

    After FreddiP mentioned that calls seemed clearer with another iPhone as opposed to calling a cordless home phone I tried calling my Mum's mobile (cell). The sound was vastly improved from when I ring her cordless landline using my SE, so until a software solution is found I'll ring her mobile instead of her landline.

  • by ryanfromdavenport,

    ryanfromdavenport ryanfromdavenport Apr 9, 2016 4:06 PM in response to skierrob2
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apr 9, 2016 4:06 PM in response to skierrob2

    I have the exact same issue. I was on another Apple support thread with about a dozen or so people with the same problem but this appears to be the official "SE bluetooth phone call distortion" thread. I'm going to try one more time with Apple support before I have to return the phone before the two week return period is up.

  • by Supertowne,

    Supertowne Supertowne Apr 9, 2016 4:49 PM in response to skierrob2
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apr 9, 2016 4:49 PM in response to skierrob2

    I Have similar issue as well.

    iPhone SE 64 GB in Ford Escape with Sync - distorted audio from the caller but callers claimed I sounded fine.  Happened with land lines and cell phone calls.

    PLantronics M1100 Bluetooth headset - same distortion on the audio from the caller.  They all claimed I sounded fine. 

     

    I Have Verizon service with VoLTE turned off. 

     

    IPhone 5s all scenarios fine.  iPhone 6.3.1 ios

     

    i returned the phone in the 14 day period and will wait to see if Apple resolves this problem.  Very disappointed it is not getting enough attention.  Seems like a major oversight in the testing process and a Huge issue for all!  I cannot imagine numbers on returned phones.  Who doesnt use Bluetooth?

  • by Ross_H_D,

    Ross_H_D Ross_H_D Apr 9, 2016 5:39 PM in response to skierrob2
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPhone
    Apr 9, 2016 5:39 PM in response to skierrob2

    A little update...

     

    I have been working with a high level support person who has assured me he is working directly with engineering.  Apple has very much become engaged in this issue.  They have had me do extensive testing of various conditions in order to document and troubleshoot.  Further, there is an internal "Issue" board and tracking system for Apple support and this BT issue is on the top of the list.  It was conveyed to me that this has become a very real issue internally and resources are now committed to its resolution. 

     

    Ross

  • by ianrm57,

    ianrm57 ianrm57 Apr 9, 2016 8:04 PM in response to Ross_H_D
    Level 1 (10 points)
    iPhone
    Apr 9, 2016 8:04 PM in response to Ross_H_D

    I hope they fix it or at least publically admit to the problem and promise a solution real soon, or else I'm forced to return it for a refund in a couple days while I still can.

  • by warriors16,

    warriors16 warriors16 Apr 9, 2016 8:36 PM in response to skierrob2
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apr 9, 2016 8:36 PM in response to skierrob2

    One more...as I wear hearing aids with bluetooth, my Phonak icom pairing device connection is very scratchy and hard to decipher.

  • by warriors16,

    warriors16 warriors16 Apr 9, 2016 8:38 PM in response to Ross_H_D
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apr 9, 2016 8:38 PM in response to Ross_H_D

    Hope so...as a chat with Apple support was fruitless...no awareness of the issue...

  • by akordion,

    akordion akordion Apr 9, 2016 8:49 PM in response to warriors16
    Level 1 (10 points)
    iPhone
    Apr 9, 2016 8:49 PM in response to warriors16

    Guys I did some changes before making a call.  So this is what I did and it could be temp fix.

     

    I connected Bluetooth headset to my phone.

    Turned off LTE settings in cellular(play with them)

    Made a test call to customer service, but it didn't solve the Issue

    Changed LTE settings back to where they were.

    Made another call but to a person I wanted to call and experienced normal sound during call.

  • by Lalamper,

    Lalamper Lalamper Apr 10, 2016 4:05 AM in response to akordion
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Apr 10, 2016 4:05 AM in response to akordion

    Hi Guys,

     

    I can confirmed that this issue still exists. iPhone SE 64GB using in my BMW 116i has a terrible sound quality. Previous phones (5S, 6) have never this issue.

    I will wait one week for Apple to address this issue and if there is no solution I will send the phone back.

     

    Is there any official place where I can report this problem? Local resellers do not care about this.

     

    Regards,

    Lajos

  • by PeteCole36,

    PeteCole36 PeteCole36 Apr 10, 2016 4:57 AM in response to Lalamper
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apr 10, 2016 4:57 AM in response to Lalamper

    Hi Guys,

    Just to report same problem with 64gb space grey iPhone SE paired to a Landrover Freelander 2014, iPhone 5s (with same SIM) and 4s works fine.

     

    Callers say that they can hear me fine but sound in car very tinny and distorted.

     

    Regards,

     

    Pete

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