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Light ticking or crackling from iPhone 4S earpiece when on a call

Hello all,



Received my white 4S on launch day and absolutely love it! However, I've noticed a faint ticking/crackling type of noise coming from the earpiece when I'm on a call. It's not distortion as it stays at the same level regardless of volume. It seems to happen when the screen is turned off by the proximity sensor. Almost sounds like an interference of sorts. I tried turning off wifi on both the phone and my router at home but that didn't solve the problem. Any ideas what this could be? It does go away at times and it seems to be more pronounced when I hold the phone to my left ear oddly enough.


I'll probably just end up bringing it to the Genius Bar when I have the chance but just wanted to see if anyone else has experienced this.


Thanks in advance.

Posted on Oct 17, 2011 7:48 PM

Reply
96 replies

Oct 18, 2011 7:56 AM in response to Cornish Massive

I'm on AT&T in the US. I may end up waiting this one out until at least the first firmware/software patch. Could be some miscalibration of an antenna or something to that effect.


At least a few others are experiencing this, makes me feel a bit better. Keep us posted if anyone manages to find a fix or swaps out for a new unit that is ticking-free.

Oct 18, 2011 11:57 AM in response to Cornish Massive

I'm hearing the same faint crackle/static each time I'm on a call (Verizon) and not on a call. It doesn't interfere with the call, but it is sure annoying. Sounds like its coming more from the phone itself, rather than the reception since I also hear it when I put my phone to my ear when I'm not even on a call at all. It's not as strong, but I still hear a slight transmitting/interference noise coming from the earpiece of the phone.


Just like ABSjazz, I'm thinking of maybe waiting it out as well since Verizon told me they are sold out for now and would have to check back to see when they get new shipment. Was thinking about contacting Apple, however even then, it seems to be too risky to get a new replacement right now as it will also have a high chance of having the same issue as well.

Oct 19, 2011 9:51 PM in response to ABSjazz

I for sure have this problem, and Im glad to see that I am not going crazy!

I believe that this sound is very similar to interference from the Processor. I know the GSM speaker interferance many are talking about, but this sound problem is being heard even on Verizon, which does not suffer from this type of speaker interference.

I imagine it has something to do with the new processor or just a different logic board design than the old iphone 4.


You get this same type of noise, typically on a desktop, when you turn your computer speakers as high as you can and do some processing intensive applicatoins. This is typical with cheap onboard soundcards.

You can usually here it also because you are AMPing up the speaker therefore bringing out all the interference in the output which you usually dont hear when turned down.


So i believe you are hearing the crackeling not only when you are in a call but it is when the SPEAKER is activated, such as Siri, or a phone call. And also when the phone is processeing, again, such as Siri or running apps, Locatoin services...etc.


Try putting it in airplane mode which cuts all communication to the device and you can still here this when the Earpiece speaker is active.


This doesnt happen on the External Speaker on the bottom, just the earpiece Speaker

Oct 19, 2011 11:17 PM in response to benvolio1979

Same problem here in France ... My wife thinks i'm crazy ... so i'm glad i'm not alone !


I think that benvolio1979 is totally right about the fact that this sound appears when the phone is processing. It is tipically an electronic noise that not only appears on calls but also on Siri, Safari (put your hear against the earpiece when loading a page and you will heard the sound) or other apps.


So now, i don't know what to do. Don't know if it's normal or a bad batch. Because in french forums, someone asked for a replacement and his new phone has exactly the same problem ... So, I don't want to do the same because appart from that my phone is absolutely perfect.


I think that all 4S have this issue and that few people can actually ear it. But for the rest of us, it's very annoying !


PS Sorry for my bad english 😉

Oct 20, 2011 10:52 AM in response to ABSjazz

I have the same problem just in the earpiece when making calls, it's still useable but very annoying when on a call. This is my second 4s after returning the other one to the apple store and getting it replaced a couple of days ago. Hopefully its not hardware and can be solved with an update I really don't want to swap it again.

Oct 20, 2011 1:09 PM in response to ABSjazz

Same problem here. It's almost like I'm hearing an electrical current (intermittent buzz) just behind the earpiece. I also hear my own voice in the earpiece sometimes. Very distracting and unsettling that this is happening on a brand new device. I am hoping the firmware update will fix this widespread problem. Anyone else having battery drainage issues as well?

Light ticking or crackling from iPhone 4S earpiece when on a call

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