iPhone 3GS headset jack out of spec?

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Level 1

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iPhone 3GS headset jack out of spec?

I have been experiencing problems (similar to some of the other posts) when I try to use Apple's standard headset and three other third party headsets with my 3GS.

When I plug the headset in, people can hear me, but I can only hear them faintly. If I pull slightly up on the jack, I become garbled to other people, but I can hear them clearly.

The same headsets that I have tested work on 3G iPhones.

It's my belief that the headset jack in the 3GS is out of spec.

I have gone in to the Apple Store and have received two replacement 3GS phones to verify that it was not something unique to my first phone. I am now convinced that there is a definite hardware issue that needs to be addressed.

Any help that anyone could provide would be appreciated.

iPhone 3GS, iPhone OS 3.0

Posted on Jul 10, 2009 10:12 AM

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Answer 1

Jul 11, 2009 9:14 PM in response to emoglen

Probably a dumb answer and you know this but there's two volume settings the phone stores and responds to... Normal without headphones and with headpones... So it may sound fine while next to your hear against your head, etc.. that's one volume setting stored (same controls on the side of the phone)... and then if you plug in phones or a line out jack, another set of volume "settings" kick in... which may be way too low.

when the headphone are plugged in, it may have the volume for headset mode way too low... while if not plugged in, and in "ear" mode or speaker mode, there volume may be just fine and set correctly high.

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Answer 2

Jul 11, 2009 9:15 PM in response to ekholbrook

Actually there's 3, sorry.

Normal without anything plugged in.
Headphones
Line out.

the phone recognizes the difference between earphones and a line out cable and again, stores different volume settigns for each.

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Answer 3

benjitek

Level 1

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Jul 11, 2009 11:42 PM in response to emoglen

Mine works fine...

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Answer 4

emoglen Author

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Jul 14, 2009 1:10 PM in response to ekholbrook

Thanks for your suggestion. It's definitely not a volume issue.

I've been using the original iPhone exclusively with wired headsets since the very first phone was released. I finally upgraded to the 3GS when it was announced, skipping the 3G rev. As such, I'm super familiar with the functions of the phone.

It seems to definitely be an issue with the jack itself, as I have now tested it independently on 3 phones, with 3 Apple headsets (the one that shipped originally with my phone and the new Apple/Bose headset, and with a headset that shipped with a 3G phone). As well, I've tested with two third party headsets - one made for the 3G and 3GS and one that works on my old iPhone via a TTY adapter.

I'm really hoping that I can get some feedback from Apple directly as I don't know of any simple resolves for a hardware issue that has shown up on 3 phones and repeated on two unique trips to the Genius Bar.

Btw, while I was in the Apple store recently at the Genius Bar, the person behind me showed up with the same problem.

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Answer 5

Jul 14, 2009 2:01 PM in response to emoglen

Sorry but this is off topic but I noticed that in your post you mentioned the Apple/Bose headset. Do you have these? Are they the in ear type? What is your opinion of them? I have the regular in ear type for my ipod and love them. I've seen that they are now making a set with the microphone. Just wondering if anyone has any experience with these?

Thanks,
Gerry in San Antonio

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Answer 6

Randy Fast

Level 4

1,432 points

Jul 14, 2009 2:19 PM in response to Gerry Martinez

What Apple/Bose headset?

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Answer 7

Jul 14, 2009 2:28 PM in response to ekholbrook

I see 1 setting for headset, 1 setting for speaker on my ipod touch. Why I don't see it on my 3GS? both settings seem to go together...

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Answer 8

emoglen Author

Level 1

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Jul 15, 2009 10:30 AM in response to Gerry Martinez

Here's the links for Bose earbuds:
http://store.apple.com/us/product/TQ117VC/A

And for the one that I was told at the Apple store was a collaboration between Apple and Bose:
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MA850G/A?fnode=MTY1NDA0Ng&mco=MzE3MjEwMw

They seemed to fit well, but honestly, I can't provide feedback as I was focused on trouble shooting the issues of either not hearing or not being heard...

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Answer 9

Monty1945

Level 3

694 points

Jul 15, 2009 10:45 AM in response to emoglen

Greetings,

No issues here, works fine with several head sets, and the one that came with it.

Cheers,
M.
****

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Answer 10

Aug 17, 2009 7:03 PM in response to emoglen

Interesting - I am experiencing a problem with my Iphone 3G with Bose in ear headset but I can hear the other person fine but the call answer / end call button doesn't work and the other person can't hear me unless I select the speakerphone option which seems to activate my headset mic!!!
The phone clearly "knows" I'm using a headset and if I make a call it asks me if this is voice mode or TTY. Selecting TTY gets me nowhere by the way selecting voice gives the partial function described above. This is frustrating as I like the headset the in ear buds are the best I've found as 1 of my ears seems to "spit out" the standard in ear buds!

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