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 Jmcterp,

    Jmcterp Jmcterp Apr 10, 2016 6:32 AM in response to skierrob2
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apr 10, 2016 6:32 AM in response to skierrob2

    You can add 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe  to the list as well as 2016 Fiat 500. I have a new iPhone SE 64 GB that I've tested with both vehicles. When connected to Bluetooth through the car it sounds like the speakers are blown and I cannot hear what anyone is saying. My wife has an iPhone 6s I've tested that with both vehicles and it sounds perfectly fine.

  • by dbmtm2,

    dbmtm2 dbmtm2 Apr 10, 2016 6:45 AM in response to PeteCole36
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apr 10, 2016 6:45 AM in response to PeteCole36

    When listening to others via bluetooth in the car, they are very scratchy (staticky) when they speak at anything above a very quiet tone, however when they speak quietly the quality is crystal clear.  As most speak at a normal or above normal tone on the cell phone, it renders the phone unusable via bluetooth in the car.  Traded in the iPhone 5S on ATT where I did not have this issue.

     

    iPhone SE 16GB Space Gray

    Model: A1662 (unlocked)

    Carrier: T-Mobile

    IOS Version: 9.3

    Vehicle: 2013 VW Jetta - Premium 8 radio

     

    Troubleshooting Performed:

    - Unpaired phone from car and re-paired.

    - Disabled VoLTE during as well as before the call (two separate attempts)

    - Enabled mono audio on iPhone

    - Confirmed vehicle radio firmware is at the latest version

    - Paired with old Plantronics bluetooth headset and call clarity is normal

    - Monitored call quality as T-Mobile signal fluctuated while driving around and clarity improved with better T-Mobile signal, but still some scratchy feedback

  • by Mb Renegade,

    Mb Renegade Mb Renegade Apr 10, 2016 7:38 AM in response to skierrob2
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Apr 10, 2016 7:38 AM in response to skierrob2

    I Just got my iphone se on Monday April 4,2016 and paired to my 2013 Ram uconnect. The bluetooth is very staticy so I unpaired it and then paired again. The problem still exists. So may have to return phone and get an iphone 5 if issue on the SE cant be fixed.

  • by MotleyDiver,

    MotleyDiver MotleyDiver Apr 10, 2016 8:32 AM in response to skierrob2
    Level 1 (8 points)
    iPhone
    Apr 10, 2016 8:32 AM in response to skierrob2

    I'm having the same problem with an Infiniti. I've had other iPhones that were crystal clear. My SE is distorted. It's not the car. I'm gonna try removing the case. Personally I'm getting tired of this game Apple is playing with slapping things together in time for their shows. Oh, one more thing....if they keep it up, I'm going to switch to Android.

  • by Bengalack,

    Bengalack Bengalack Apr 10, 2016 10:39 AM in response to Bengalack
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apr 10, 2016 10:39 AM in response to Bengalack

    Ok,

     

    ignore that line where I say that iPhone SE 64GB works with 2016 Ford S-Max SYNC2. It doesn't. It's all screwed up (same behavior as everyone is describing here). Unlike me 6S... which I have already sold :-(

     

    (I've used both iOS 9.3 and 9.3.1)

  • by warriors16,

    warriors16 warriors16 Apr 10, 2016 10:54 AM in response to Bengalack
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apr 10, 2016 10:54 AM in response to Bengalack

    Hi, all,

     

    One more thought, we are talking with one another here, but not sure that is raising the profile sufficiently as it would if we also call or chat directly with Apple.

  • by dbmtm2,

    dbmtm2 dbmtm2 Apr 10, 2016 11:30 AM in response to dbmtm2
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apr 10, 2016 11:30 AM in response to dbmtm2

    I spoke with an Apple Care specialist at 12PM CST on 4/10 and she stated that there was an existing internal article that the support team had started to track this issue.  She collected the information specific to my circumstance and stated that she would be sending the case to engineering and contact me once they have responded to her.  When asked how long it typically takes to hear back from engineering, she stated anywhere from a week to 2 months.

     

    I'll send a follow up post once I hear back from the Apple Care Specialist on engineering's response to the issue.

  • by Senna67,

    Senna67 Senna67 Apr 10, 2016 11:38 AM in response to Bengalack
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Apr 10, 2016 11:38 AM in response to Bengalack

    Does anyone have a working SE ?, or are all of them bad, so there is no need to swap the phone for a new one

  • by meonard,

    meonard meonard Apr 10, 2016 12:46 PM in response to Senna67
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPhone
    Apr 10, 2016 12:46 PM in response to Senna67

    I can tell you that I have tried two different SE phones.   They both had the Bluetooth issue.  And I returned both phones to the Apple store and rolled back to a 5S.

  • by brettfromcoffs harbour,

    brettfromcoffs harbour brettfromcoffs harbour Apr 10, 2016 3:03 PM in response to Senna67
    Level 1 (12 points)
    Apr 10, 2016 3:03 PM in response to Senna67

    Yes i do now, i erased it and set up as new phone in iTunes and its fine. Some have tried that but didn't work so i guess i just got lucky.

  • by Senna67,

    Senna67 Senna67 Apr 10, 2016 3:31 PM in response to brettfromcoffs harbour
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Apr 10, 2016 3:31 PM in response to brettfromcoffs harbour

    OK, so they can work, and from your story it looks like it's a sotware issue.

    I still have more than a week till my return option expires, I hope Apple will give more info about a possible solution.

    I like this phone and I don't mind to wait for a software update, but a hardware fault is an other issue, will apple swap phones after the 14 days.

  • by Cbrown06.cb,

    Cbrown06.cb Cbrown06.cb Apr 10, 2016 3:50 PM in response to skierrob2
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apr 10, 2016 3:50 PM in response to skierrob2

    Not having crystal clear Bluetooth connections is a safety issue and will lead to lawsuits as soon as someone has an accident because of it......At this point, Apple can't afford any negative press

    like that.  They have to come up with a fix for this.

  • by MotleyDiver,

    MotleyDiver MotleyDiver Apr 10, 2016 4:46 PM in response to Cbrown06.cb
    Level 1 (8 points)
    iPhone
    Apr 10, 2016 4:46 PM in response to Cbrown06.cb

    My recommendation to everyone is drop these like hot potatoes. If you can take it back, do so. I'm taking mine back tomorrow after just 3 days. im just not sure it's a software issue. The phone to s fine otherwise. I'd think if it were software, other things wouldn't work. mine just seems like whatever is sending signal to Bluetooth, isn't right. I woukdnt wait any longer. Just my opinion.

     

    IM very disappointed because I only wanted a smaller phone.

  • by Mercury_A,

    Mercury_A Mercury_A Apr 11, 2016 2:33 AM in response to skierrob2
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPhone
    Apr 11, 2016 2:33 AM in response to skierrob2

    I have same problem with my 3 days old Iphone SE here in Sweden , using it on my Audi A6 2016 and my BMW X3 2013 . Crapy BT sound when using the phone for calls. It worked fine with my Iphone 6 Plus with both cars.

    Please Apple give a solution soon!!!

  • by MotleyDiver,

    MotleyDiver MotleyDiver Apr 11, 2016 2:45 AM in response to Mercury_A
    Level 1 (8 points)
    iPhone
    Apr 11, 2016 2:45 AM in response to Mercury_A

    I'm taking mine back today and getting my iPhone 6. Finally got ahold of Apple support last night. They were clueless about this problem. Had no record of "Engineering Papers." or anything of the sort. I told the tech about this discussion, even gave her the link. The idea of a couple weeks or a month for a software fix is not true. IF you have one, and you are experiencing this and you can still take it back, I recommend you do so before you have a paper weight. It's unfortunate because this has promise due to size. But it doesn't really help since the size is great, but the one time I don't have to hold it to talk - it won't. Very disappointed in this version.

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