Bluetooth audio stuttering issues on my iPhone 16e

There are two users on the reddit thread for this same topic reporting that so far it appears that the Beta release of iOS 18.4 has solved this Bluetooth issue. I haven't personally signed up for iOS Beta, but I am at least hopeful that a fix will be released in the next iOS update (as 18.3.2 hasn't fixed this issue). It would be nice for Apple to acknowledge the problem and that a fix is truly in work.

Absolutely happening on my 16e. Seems to be worse when my 16e is close to my Mac laptop

I've gone back to my SE for now, and returned the 16e to Apple.

Macrumors is reporting an 18.3.2 bugfix release is being tested. Doesn't mention bluetooth issues but fingers crossed... https://www.macrumors.com/2025/03/10/ios-18-3-2-coming-soon/

update to 18.4. it fixes this.

Same here. 13 mini works with multiple Bluetooth connections simultaneously. Shut off connection to my Fitbit. Connected to the iRV system in my trailer with no issues playing Apple music then reconnected my Fitbit. Seems to be OK until the Fitbit app connects to the Fitbit. One Bluetooth connection at a time basically. Apple fix this issue. On a side note, I read that pretty much all the iPhone 16, all models, are having Bluetooth connectivity issues.

Commenting in this thread to try to escalate this as a real issue.

Although I want to highlight that this assertion of multiple bluetooth connections being the issue is incorrect. This is not my experience or the experience of many commenters in this thread.

I spent so much time on the phone with them troubleshooting and sending them reports, do you guys know if they give like a gift card or something afterwards? I felt like I spent a lot of time helping THEM for nothing.

I spoke with a senior tech yesterday. They are aware of the issue actively working on the fix also updating to 18.4 fixes it.

The bug appears fixed in IOS 18.4. I've tested my headphones with my watch and the audio no longer stutters. Hopefully, they release it soon on the normal update branch.

It also happens with just one Bluetooth device, the headphones.

seems more frequent with third party headphones (Bose for me) than AirPods or Beats. I’ve also heard a lowering in bitrate before the stutter

Can‘t imagine. And if, it doesn’t matter. Its allready escalating on reddit. Slowly i got ******. I use my phone mainly for listening musik and since i have the Iphone 16e its no more fun. Apple support and service is really good but they are slow as f k. I think we have to wait until the next iOS update. Maybe as long as we are waiting for a smarter Siri 🤣. Meanwhile Huawai is launching 28 new products.

I join to the issue experiencers... Sent the complaint as well.

No need to pair or connect anything else(issue is present regardless smart devices or anything else around). Just the AirPods 4 ANC(latest fw) connected to 16e... every few minutes: jumps/skips/stutters/cut-ins-outs/glitches/strange noise during off/online playback with nothing else polluting the signal environment. Ruins the high fidelity experience under the ground.

Pairing AirPods with MBP? No problem. Works as a dream. Pairing other Bluetooth speakers to 16e? No glitch at all, thank you. Only these two hate each other so much. Probably a SW bug... that they better fix soon in 18.4 and the next AirPods 4 fw. But still worrying they won't. Even though this costed hella lots of money.

I have the same problem with my new 16E, I also bought new AirPods cause I was thinking the problem was with the old headphones at first. I want to highlight that it has nothing to do with having multiple bluetooth devices added: I deleted every device except my new AirPods and yet the sound glitches every minute

I have just noticed one strange thing: when I stand with my earphones really far from my phone (10-15 meters away) the stuttering stops: I was able to hear uninterrupted audio for 5 minutes straight until I came back to my phone. I really hope this is not a hardware issue after all