Issues with iPhone 16 Pro Max – Speaker and Screen

I usually use the “Apple Support App” to investigate any issues and refer to articles relevant, which the app automatically populates from a lille description of the problem. It can also use the Serial Number to check warranty (limited 1 year) or AppleCare (if applicable) and tells the eligibility for paid/unpaid service options available best for you.

From there you can choose the option suits you like scheduling reservations to nearest store or send-in etc. Scheduling can be done for a week ahead max.

Here, is an article I found when searched speaker/loudspeaker. Sometimes a quick look can be very rewarding and save you efforts as last I remember I had to backup the phone, erase the device after I sign out and oops, I will regret this a few days later as I never updated my phone number linked to the AppleID.

If you can’t hear any sound or hear distorted sound from your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch speaker – Apple Support (UK)

Another reason for replying on this post is to share that some phone models may get replaced/repaired under replacement programs for similar issues reported and do check it out.

Apple Service Programs - Apple Support

I’m also experiencing this issue with my iPhone 16 Pro Max—crackling sounds during phone calls and when playing voice clips at higher volumes. I visited the Apple Store, and while diagnostics didn’t show a fault, the technician acknowledged the crackling and said other customers had the same problem. I’m currently speaking with the reseller about a replacement. It’s disappointing considering the price and expectations. Hoping Apple addresses this with an official solution soon.

I went to 2 Apple stores with my new iPhone 16 Pro Max because the speaker sounded very bad. It sounded like a defective speaker when making calls and playing sound. According to the on-site audio test in the first Apple store, everything was fine. In the 2nd Apple store, they offered me a repair, but I declined because the defect was discovered on day 1 after unpacking. I only got the appointment almost a week later in the first Apple store, Genius Bar. I returned it and went back to my old phone because I'm not sure if it's a general problem and at the price of 1700 EU you can expect something

I’m experiencing the same issue with my iPhone 16 Pro. The earpiece speaker sounds flat and lacks bass, which makes voices during calls sound unnatural and unclear. Compared to older models like the iPhone 15 Pro, 14 Pro, or even the 11 Pro, the sound quality on the 16 Pro is noticeably worse. On those older models, the earpiece sound was rich, deep, and natural, but on the 16 Pro, it feels like the low frequencies are completely cut off.

I’ve had the phone for just a week, and I already sent it in under warranty. Apple replaced it with a brand-new device, but the issue is exactly the same. One technician told me it was a “preventative replacement,” while another said there must have been a problem with the original phone. Regardless, the new unit has the same poor sound quality.

The problem seems to be with frequencies below 250 Hz, which are crucial for natural, full-sounding voices. On the 16 Pro, these frequencies are missing, and the voice sounds flat and lifeless, almost like what you’d expect from a very cheap phone.

To make things worse, one Apple technician told me I probably have “sensitive hearing” and need to get used to it, which I find unacceptable. I’ve filed a complaint and now have a dedicated Apple representative assigned to my case, but after a week of dealing with this issue, I’m getting frustrated.

This is a serious flaw, and I encourage everyone experiencing this issue to report it to Apple. Without more reports, this might never get fixed.

I am experiencing an issue with my iPhone 16 related to the new camera noise isolation feature. While this feature is intended to reduce background noise during video recording, it appears to be interfering with all audio output from the speaker, not just the camera.

As a result:

• Music and videos sound muffled and distorted.

• The audio shifts unevenly between the left and right channels, making the listening experience unpleasant.

This issue significantly affects media playback, and I believe it is a software-related bug. I kindly request that your team investigate and resolve this in a future update by ensuring the noise isolation feature is restricted to the camera and does not interfere with other applications

Anyone experiencing this issue should submit a complaint so the company becomes aware of it and can provide a solution as soon as possible

Has there been any official response on this?

Noticed in first week (early oct) but waited in hope that update would fix it.

Sound seems okay in youtube etc but phone calls and whatsApp on speakerphone sound terrible with crackly distortion from top speaker if volume is over 50%. Seems to be getting worse now, can even hear it in normal calls let alone speaker-phone.

Contacted support and they spent half hour resetting pointless stuff on my phone (data, VPNs etc), but only option offered is booking appointment at apple store (2 hours drive away) or £79 express replacement on apple care. Will pay the £79 just to get it fixed but not clear if replacement device (refurnished?) will be any better?

Was expecting better from Apple, paid £1,599 for this and it sounds so bad I hate using it for calls. May just go back to my old iPhone 13.

I have the same issue on the 16 Pro Max (1TB Black - Verizon). I just got it a week ago and when I raise the volume to 60% on a phone call, the top speaker will start buzzing. It seems to mostly happen on Phone Calls. I haven't really noticed it with Music, Videos or Podcasts.

i guess this is happening with alot of users maybe its software glitch, maybe it will fixed in softwere update

, dont turnup the volume until the softwere update, the frequency can damage the speakers

Yea same issue here, when the volume is higher the top speaker makes crackling sounds and sometimes when watching normal videos the audio shifts between left and right. The speakers also lower the volume at points and raise them back again(even when the volume is turned up completely) on music and videos. Hopefully Apple can fix this. There is no way they don’t know this is happening.

If my volume is up more than halfway on my new iPhone 16 Pro Max, anything other than a voice coming across the line sounds horrendous. For instance, if someone typing as they’re talking to me or looking for something and rummaging around, the sound of it has a piercing high end that gives me an absolute headache. It pokes through so loud that I have to keep turning it down. And then I can’t hear their voice basically. I literally need to get a different phone because I just don’t think I can do it unless they fix it. I get migraines.

I have the same issue. When on speakerphone at volume 60% and above the top speaker sounds like there’s a rattle or distortion.

I have only used the phone for under a week. The sound from my old 13 ProMax was much better.

There are so many people reporting the same issue that Apple must be aware but seem to not want to acknowledge the issue and rectify it.

This is the first time I have ever had an issue with an Apple product and it has really spoilt the ownership experience of this phone which cost more than £1500. Not sure if I’ll ever buy Apple again unless this is rectified.

Same issue with top speaker buzzing especially with TikTok, Insta, Whatsapp calls, sometimes even audio phase issue. Went to nearest Apple Store just for the technician to do the diagnostic test and tell me that everything is fine and they dont guarantee the functionality with 3rd party apps. (Currently on 18.2)

Seriously paying so much money and getting this quality from an expensive product, is not acceptable !!!

No solution till now, the technician said to wait for IOS update!!!!

I have the same issue. It's any sound coming from the top speaker. Typing sounds, ringtone, notification sounds, in calls, watching videos or listening to music. Really frustrating. I have apple care and a manufacturers warranty so I'll be reaching out as soon as I get a minute to breathe.

I have the same issue too. I bought my White Titanium 16 Pro in November (4 months before posting this) and its speaker’s are really bad too. I thought it originally occurred when I spilled garlic by accident on the camera area, but the phone works completely fine. I waited many weeks to a couple months and while doing so, I thought about going to Apple about the speakers and testing the demo phones to see if one has this same issue and getting mine fixed. But, after looking at this community post, I’m starting to think it may be useless. The speakers work GREAT when I watch Apple Events (very suspicious, Apple), and if my volume is below or at halfway when using the speakers for other things like music, or phone calls if you’re lucky they also work fine. I honestly think Apple just wants us to use their AirPods LOL.

i request you to wait, as ive gone to service center too they told me theres no issues, i request you to search in yt "tweeter test" and you can see the muffing sound. to test