Bluetooth audio stuttering issues on my iPhone 16e

Is anyone having issues with Bluetooth audio stuttering? I just upgraded to the 16e from the 13 mini and any Bluetooth device keeps hitching. The sound pauses for a second then picks back up. I’ve tried factory resetting without using an iCloud backup to see if that solved the issue but it still happening. I’m wondering if this is just early adopter troubles or an iOS 18 bug. It’s been driving me nuts!

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iPhone 16e, iOS 18

Posted on Mar 5, 2025 8:00 AM

Top-ranking reply

andre2342

Level 1

38 points

Posted on Mar 8, 2025 7:55 AM

I am having the same issue when iPhone 16e is connected to any bluetooth device (tried three different ones including Beats headphones). This does not happen with any other iPhone I have and had.

With Apple support tried:

- playback of music & podcasts via Apple's app, as well as music from youtube via Safari

- using it in different locations

- forced reset

- factory reset

- flight mode (mobile connect & WiFi off, Bluethooth on)

- replacing the phone with another iPhone 16e

None of that fixed it.

Support was escalated from Germany to the US. The Engineers came back with "delay is expected behavior". I was never talking about delay, but the sound cutting out, stuttering if you will.

They told me they will NOT attempt to address this issue because there are not enough complaints about this (yet). Everyone in this thread with the same problem: please open tickets with Apple's help desk and be persistent to escalate it before it gets shut down.

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Mar 8, 2025 9:27 AM in response to mogawine

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

Bluehcc

Level 1

8 points

Mar 8, 2025 7:49 PM in response to oarriaga08

I am having the same problem with this new 16e. I thought it was my headset so i paired with another headset, same problem.

Mar 9, 2025 1:32 AM in response to oarriaga08

Same problem here. Bluetooth only stops stuttering when I disconnect my Oura Ring.

Mar 9, 2025 10:42 AM in response to mogawine

You’re not alone. Same problem here, same continent. Different solution, tough. Apple technicians have asked me to record the stuttering and send it back to them to check. True story.

Mar 10, 2025 1:22 AM in response to oarriaga08

I have the same problem. When connected to earphones Bluetooth drops out after 10 to 20 minutes. Does Bluetooth and wifi share the same chip? Going to try defaulting phone wifi to 5gh on the router.