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 scottmk,

    scottmk scottmk May 16, 2016 1:50 PM in response to Kjell T. Ring
    Level 1 (4 points)
    May 16, 2016 1:50 PM in response to Kjell T. Ring

    Kjell T. Ring wrote:

     

    I'm in Boston, and there are zero SE's available within 150 miles of me.  Shipping is estimated 2-3 weeks out.


    The complete unavailability of any SEs can only mean that the true root cause of the problem is hardware.  Sure, the new software may mask the issue, but the actual problem is hardware related, and Apple is working hard to produce new SE units with new Bluetooth hardware.

     

    Isn't it just as likely that Apple simply held back on selling any more SE's until they were fully functional?  Can you tell the difference between a hardware flaw or a software problem based solely on the marketplace?  I know that I can't.  If SE's become readily available in the next 7-14 days, won't that look like a voluntary withdrawal until full functionality was established?

     

    Given Apple's overall lack of any coherent communication about the SE's well-known and well-documented BT issues, it really should not surprise anyone that they're similarly close-lipped on this.

  • by brettfromcoffs harbour,

    brettfromcoffs harbour brettfromcoffs harbour May 16, 2016 1:57 PM in response to mreg376
    Level 1 (12 points)
    May 16, 2016 1:57 PM in response to mreg376

    Yes they have fixed the SOFTWARE bluetooth problem and they will start the recall soon

  • by matt31500,

    matt31500 matt31500 May 16, 2016 2:08 PM in response to brettfromcoffs harbour
    Level 1 (4 points)
    May 16, 2016 2:08 PM in response to brettfromcoffs harbour

    Why performing a recall if it's a software issue?

     

    The wifi/Bluetooth module is a slightly newer version than the 6s one, and there is maybe a slight differe in the hardware, requiring probably some slight adaptations in the code.

     

    The hardware may not be faulty, but only the software deep layer.

     

    It's only a supposition, but I don't see why changing hardware if software update resolves the issue.

  • by scottmk,

    scottmk scottmk May 16, 2016 2:14 PM in response to scottmk
    Level 1 (4 points)
    May 16, 2016 2:14 PM in response to scottmk

    scottmk wrote:


    If SE's become readily available in the next 7-14 days, won't that look like a voluntary withdrawal until full functionality was established?

     

     

    Plus, you can bet money that every SE in inventory must be unpacked, updated to 9.3.2, repacked, and then shipped out.  That takes time and is labor-intensive.

  • by dcpmark,

    dcpmark dcpmark May 16, 2016 2:18 PM in response to matt31500
    Level 1 (28 points)
    May 16, 2016 2:18 PM in response to matt31500

    matt31500 wrote:

     

    Why performing a recall if it's a software issue?

     

    He was making a joke.

  • by Senna67,

    Senna67 Senna67 May 16, 2016 2:19 PM in response to brettfromcoffs harbour
    Level 1 (8 points)
    May 16, 2016 2:19 PM in response to brettfromcoffs harbour

    brettfromcoffs harbour wrote:

     

    Yes they have fixed the SOFTWARE bluetooth problem and they will start the recall soon

    Unbelievable

  • by akordion,

    akordion akordion May 16, 2016 2:25 PM in response to scottmk
    Level 1 (10 points)
    iPhone
    May 16, 2016 2:25 PM in response to scottmk

    I don't think that Apple will need to unpack/update/repack phones.  When user buys SE, phone will check for update and offer it to the customer.  If any customer will use Bluetooth before upgrading to latest iOS and have BT issue, then that person will just update the phone to the last OS as a troubleshooting step

  • by Lizard_Blu,

    Lizard_Blu Lizard_Blu May 16, 2016 2:52 PM in response to akordion
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPhone
    May 16, 2016 2:52 PM in response to akordion

    Guys,

     

    do you think if I update via OTA or iTunes is the same?

     

    Because OTA is only 90Mb, iTunes 1 giga...

     

    Do you think it will fix the same?

    Thanks

  • by akordion,

    akordion akordion May 16, 2016 2:54 PM in response to Lizard_Blu
    Level 1 (10 points)
    iPhone
    May 16, 2016 2:54 PM in response to Lizard_Blu

    When you use your phone to get OTA, then update gives you only needed files, but when you use iTunes it downloads and flashes full firmware.  I personally mostly use iTunes to do the update, but for small update sized which as less than 100MB I can also use phone to do the update.

  • by Senna67,

    Senna67 Senna67 May 16, 2016 2:57 PM in response to Lizard_Blu
    Level 1 (8 points)
    May 16, 2016 2:57 PM in response to Lizard_Blu

    Lizard_Blu wrote:

     

    Guys,

     

    do you think if I update via OTA or iTunes is the same?

     

    Because OTA is only 90Mb, iTunes 1 giga...

     

    Do you think it will fix the same?

    Thanks

    OTA should fix your problem it updates your ios, itunes will  reinstall ios

  • by brettfromcoffs harbour,

    brettfromcoffs harbour brettfromcoffs harbour May 16, 2016 2:56 PM in response to dcpmark
    Level 1 (12 points)
    May 16, 2016 2:56 PM in response to dcpmark

    Spot on

  • by Lizard_Blu,

    Lizard_Blu Lizard_Blu May 16, 2016 3:14 PM in response to akordion
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPhone
    May 16, 2016 3:14 PM in response to akordion

    Thanks... i decided to go itunes... hope all go ok.. 2 GB!

  • by liljimmiesturkeyneck,

    liljimmiesturkeyneck liljimmiesturkeyneck May 16, 2016 6:59 PM in response to mreg376
    Level 1 (8 points)
    iPhone
    May 16, 2016 6:59 PM in response to mreg376

    I just bought a 64gb rose/gold from Best Buy yesterday. I don't know if that is a big deal or not, but it was the only one they had in stock.  I also got robbed on the price.  Had to pay about two hundred dollars more than the one that I pre-ordered from Apple on release day.  I also have the bluetooth phone call problem, but I was willing to wait for the fix rather than return the phone or try the beta.

     

    I always had faith that this would be fixed with an update, and I have enjoyed the poo slinging in this thread.  I understand how frustrating this problem could be for those who need bluetooth phone access, but it was never a top priority for me, so luckily I could sit back and wait.

     

    This is my first iphone after recently retiring my first android.  I'm a happy camper now.  And I haven't even done the upgrade yet!

  • by liljimmiesturkeyneck,

    liljimmiesturkeyneck liljimmiesturkeyneck May 16, 2016 7:38 PM in response to liljimmiesturkeyneck
    Level 1 (8 points)
    iPhone
    May 16, 2016 7:38 PM in response to liljimmiesturkeyneck

    I am downloading the update for the SE that I bought yesterday.  Total download size will be 1.98 GB,  and it has three more hours to go. Time Warner is my internet provider which may partially explain the long download time.  After this phone is done then I'll start on the SE that I bought on release day.  Can. Not. Wait!

  • by Tunnezza,

    Tunnezza Tunnezza May 17, 2016 12:05 AM in response to skierrob2
    Level 1 (4 points)
    May 17, 2016 12:05 AM in response to skierrob2

    Just updated my Rose Gold 64 GB iPhone SE to 9.3.2 via OTA, and tried a phone call with VW Golf VI bluetooth system: problem solved, crystal clear audio!

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