Bluetooth audio stuttering issues on my iPhone 16e

Update 4:

Have updated to iOS 18.4 (22E240) today. I’ve been listening to a few songs on Spotify through my Airpods (gen 1) and my Garmin watch is connected on Bluetooth too. So far, the stuttering seems to have gone.

Hope others can report the same.

Not fixed in 18.5.

I have an iPhone 16e and I have the audio stuttering issue with Podcasts and the built-in ambient music (the only audio I listen to) using any of my audio devices:

AirPods Pro 2

Shokz OpenRun

Bose QC 45

I do not have more than on audio device connected via bluetooth at a time. I do have an Apple Watch SE 2, but... the issue occurs both when it is connected or not connected.

can confirm disconnecting garmin (bluetooth) watch seems to be the work around. Starting to miss my Iphone XR that was great for 6 1/2 years....

Yup! Bought a new Boom 4 and Blue toothed to my new iphone 16e and it glitched. It was fine with my home Marantz system, with my JBL earphones, with my Behringer speaker, but not with my new Boom 4. Because it was fine with all other products, I assumed that it was the Boom 4 and took it back and it was swapped with a replacement, but it was the same.

Think tanked it with a friend who has a Boom 3. Same thing happened.

Thing is I am a singing teacher so I live with playlists and bluetooth in my work which often takes me to different venues, hence getting the Boom 4, so I can stroll in and get started straight away.

At the moment I am trundling my Behringer all over the place and I often use public transport, so it’s incredibly inconvenient.

And I’m seeing that Apple know this is a problem and might fix it in a few months! A few months, REALLY???!!!

How dare they release hardware that they have not properly tested, leaving us to talk it through for them and not act swiftly to fix it.

I am so angry and upset about this!

iOS 18.4 was just formally released, I'm currently in the process of updating to see if this officially fixes this issue or not. If you are as frustrated by this issue as I have, recommend you update as well.

Looks like problem solved. If it has not dropped out after 20 mins, it should be fine. Try some Bluetooth earphones if you have them.

Mine was instantly fixed after upgrading to 18.4. Before, when playing music, it started stuttering after about 40 seconds.

Found the issue. If you're streaming music/ audio from Spotify, Bluetooth sputters. Crazy IOS bug.

It works perfectly if I have only one device connected via Bluetooth. :)

i raised the issue in the UK. Got support directly from the US. They know the issue. Would change your phone right away. But you would need to ask for that

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.

Same here. Found that the problem is less if you close all open apps, although not fully gone.

There are tons of people saying FR doesn't work and loads more saying exchanging doesnt fix it. It's kinda obvious it's software with iOS 18

Bluetooth interference can potentially cause connectivity issues due to the disruption of the wireless communication between devices. Bluetooth operates in the 2.4 GHz frequency range, which is also used by various other devices such as Wi-Fi routers, microwaves, cordless phones, and even some baby monitors. When multiple devices are operating nearby and using the same frequency band, interference can occur.

this is probably the most generic and useless answer ever.

We've got the same problem, no issues on 12 and 13 Pro, but audio stuttering from every source when playing from 16e and various bluetooth headphones, even beats one.

It surely is a bug, and one I hope will be fixed fast

I have the same issue on my iPhone 16e. Stuttering on all devices I use - Nakamichi car audio, Sony wh1000xm3, also bose soundlink 2.

I was not having any issues with iPhone SE 2 or Samsung devices. Only the new iPhone 16e. Interference is not the issue since I’ve tested it also in isolated environments.