Q: iPhone 4S - Outgoing call no audio

It has been several weeks for me or I would not have posted what I did. Sorry you doubt me.

Went to the apple store. Genius said it was faulty hardware. Said the first batches of iphone 4s have this problem. Replaced phone. Happy day

Again, the Genius has no clue.  There's no concrete evidence as to whether this is a software or hardware issue.  My 4s was manufactured at the end of November, so it couldn't be the "first" batch.  If you read the postings in here, many have received defective units even after multiple exchanges on units which were manufactured recently.

Like I said in my previous post, if the audio was the only issue, then the decision would be easy.  BUT, every time you exchange for a replacement, you run the risk of getting a phone with a bad screen or the fast battery drain issue.  I'm almost used to and accepted the workaround of toggling the speaker button when I make calls. BUT I dont think I could ever accept or get used to staring at a yellow tinted screen or having to charge my phone every six to seven hours because the battery drains too fast.

If you think about it, it's quite sad.  A successful company such as Apple would have its customer "settle" for a defective product in fear of getting a even "more" defective product.

Alright... I've been in constant conversation with both Apple and my service provider.

I spoke to an individual who used to work for the SP, who now works as a manager at an Apple store. He's helped quite a few people who have had this incident; and all of these people are with the same service provider. What he suggested is that the individuals call their respective service providers and ask for a reset of the network connections... NOT a reset connection from the Iphone, but rather an entire reset of the network and the number attached to it.

What this requires is essentially (depending on the provider) up to 72 hours waiting for a complete reset of the network. It has worked with every individual he has helped. I'm in the process of waiting right now.

This isn't exactly an Apple problem, nor is it a Service Provider problem. What I have found is that, when the phone restores to factory settings and a complete and fresh network reset has occurred due to a completely "new" Iphone connected ("new" as in a completely reset to factory default settings), it works. However, as soon as there is severance between the phone and the network, this problem occurs. This could be leaving the phone in Airplane for a short period of time (i.e. 10 seconds or longer), or when the phone is shut off, or when the sim card is removed, or (in the cases I have used frequently) the battery has drained completely. This would explain why individuals who receive brand new Iphones are still having the same problem occur.

Therefore it's a network connection issue. Because the phone simply perpetuates the "calling" act, the handshake between the phone and the network isn't being dealt with. Either the network is not accepting the phones handshake to begin and end network usage (I.E. messages or phone calls), or the phone is not accepting the networks attempt to engage in a phone call. That would explain why people may hear you ring their phone, but you cannot speak to them nor they speak to you.

Finally, what this means is that the Phone App has a glitch or bug that occurs due to an unforeseen error during the "handshake" between the network and the Iphone. The reason the service providers want to blame Apple is because on their end, the calls are going through. Apple wants to blame the service providers because it's clearly a network issue, and that belongs to the network providers.

TL;DR....

This issue is one that involves Every service provider whom this happens with, AND APPLE. When Apple allows an SP to advertise their product, they are essentially endorsing that service provider as being capable to handle such a product. On the other hand, by advertising the product, the service provider is guaranteeing that the product works on their network. Thus, a dialogue must open up between both Apple and the respective service providers so they can rewrite the Phone app Code and be prepared to reset networks in the instance such an issue arises again.

I'm in dialogue with both my SP and Apple everyday now and I've spent 12 hours cumulatively speaking to them in the past two days. I WILL ensure something more concrete will be done.

Until then, everyone try calling your service provider and asking them to reset your network. Explain your phone problem and tell them that a network reset from the phone is not enough, what is required is a tier 2 reset (meaning a reset from a person higher up than your average tech support staff).

Good luck. I'll keep posting as I get results.

I concur. You shouldn't settle for a faulty unit. I'm just relaying my experience.

Got bad phone.

Took to Apple.

Apple gave me a new phone with no hassle.

Works perfect.

I asked if the problem could be software related, he said no. He didn't pretend to not know about the problem or make any excuses. He just gave me a new one. I tried it out for about 10 minutes, and I was on my way.

Personally, I wouldn't have settled for another faulty one. I would have begrudgingly switched to an android phone.

Asparagus Bear,

I appreciate you relaying your experience; was directed my displeasure with Apple really.

I would suggest you continue to keep close tabs on your device because folks have exchanged for units which they thought were fine and to have the same problem reoccur few weeks later.

Btw, since I travel internation frequently for my job, so I carry two phones.  My other is the Android Samsung Galaxy SII.  I have been a long time loyal Apple customer so when I picked up the iPhone 4s, my intent was to swap SIM cards whenever I travel so that my primary phone would always be the 4s.

Unfortunately, with the audio issue and also a nightmare using the 4s with Bluetooth, I just can't take the risk of having blunders with important business calls.  So, now I find myself using the Samsung more and on days where I know I'll make significant calls, I'll switch the SIM card and use the Samsung as my primary phone.

It's sad to be an Avid Apple fan today.  I still remember when the iPhone 4 came out, there was a "Wow" factor about owning one.  Now, I can't even say I'm a pround owner of an iPhone 4s when it can't even make a simple call work.

Hey, mate! My congratulations!

Just wanted to ask what's your usual battery usage time? You can see that in general-usage.

TO check the serial number just switch to English and take a look at About in general.

everyone try calling your service provider and asking them to reset your network. Explain your phone problem and tell them that a network reset from the phone is not enough, what is required is a tier 2 reset (meaning a reset from a person higher up than your average tech support staff).

Thanks for all your hard work investigating this issue.

Since the current work-around to the muted call problem is to press the speaker phone button twice I'm not sure how that's a network issue.  Not doubting you, just would like to learn.

I'm also not sure large network locations (major cities in the US and other areas in world) would entertain network resets each time someone with this issue calls them.  Where are you located and who is your SP?

It will be interesting to see the results of this.

DINYUCD wrote:

 

everyone try calling your service provider and asking them to reset your network. Explain your phone problem and tell them that a network reset from the phone is not enough, what is required is a tier 2 reset (meaning a reset from a person higher up than your average tech support staff).

 

Thanks for all your hard work investigating this issue.

 

Since the current work-around to the muted call problem is to press the speaker phone button twice I'm not sure how that's a network issue.  Not doubting you, just would like to learn.

 

I'm also not sure large network locations (major cities in the US and other areas in world) would entertain network resets each time someone with this issue calls them.  Where are you located and who is your SP?

 

It will be interesting to see the results of this.

I doubt it's a network issue as well.  I travel internationally for work and have tried three different SIM cards in the iPhone 4s.  On the three different networks it all have has the same issues.  I've also tried my Samsung Galaxy S2 on all three netowrks and it works just fine.

I'm relaying my experience with no audio on outgoing calls. I notice that using speaker immediately after not having the audio helps from time to time; but this may simply be a quick fix to a phone app glitch.

It's possible that what we're experiencing here are two completely different issues. However, what many of you seem to be experiencing is what I am. Although, my experiences extend to far greater reaches like outgoing and incoming texts as well as calls.

In regards to my service provider, my provider is Rogers Wireless in Canada. As far as I know, this issue seems to be related to unlocked Iphones (4 or 4s) on Rogers' network. It doesn't affect locked Rogers Iphones or unlocked ones on different service providers in Canada (so far).

Although the same issue has plagued users in different countries, usually using the same consistent networks in those respective countries...

As far as my experience has taken me, I am more than 100% certain it's an issue between the network and the phone app. They aren't properly connecting so when Phone App asks for the network to bring it a link, the link occurs (i.e. the other person hears their phone ring and receives a call) but the feed from that link cannot be brought back to the Phone App. Whether it's because the phone app isn't accepting it, or the network isn't properly sending it, I don't know. What I do know is that this clearly dictates an issue in the relationship between the app "Phone" and the network provided.

Hi, Al!

I know where the serial is. The question was about online checking site.

My battery on old unit was about 24-28 hours of standby with location and some pushes on, with about 6-8 hours of heavy usage - browsing, games, mails, navigation. During 3G browsing the discharging speed ups, and even side of the unit became warm.

The new one shows the same or about, but the battery is completely new - production date is last week.

Today I'm going to AppStore again as I don't like the noise of vibrio - its not loud but sencible in quiet surrounding.

Apple Service changed my unit and it has been working 100% since then.

Not problems of anykind and battery life is ok too.

My previous unit had sometimes weak dial tone or no audio at all when i was making calls.

I suggest people to change their units and continue their lifes .

I called Apple again today because some ringtones were missing after my restore. iTunes has to help me, they couldn't but it gave me time to talk to the rep about this issue we're all having.

He said he had heard about the problem but that Apple has absolutely no idea whether it is software or hardware related, which is why they're so quick to swap the phones in the hopes that the new one doesn't have this issue.

Thankfully I just got my phone in December, batch 41 I believe, and my phone came with iOS 5.0.1 on it, but this is great because I have a year of issues with this thing, in which I can have it replaced. That gives me time to try out the new software and such in the hopes that it fixes this annoying issue.

My message on page 103 was :

...(3) Tried installing firmware 5.1 Beta 2 (9B5127c) and all problems (except echo and battery drain) have seem to gone 100%. Made more than 70 calls in the last 3 days each connecting without any audio loss. ( Hope does not reappear after this much time & call... Knock on wood...)

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so far I have made more than 300 calls with no prob at all..

5.1 beta 2 has eventually fixed my iphone 4s audio issue.

The problem may either be software or hardware related; but, seems like it can be solved by a software update..

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Good luck everyone, will continue to keep you updated..