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*Important--iPhone4s Static/Crackling Noise

All,


There seems to be an increasing number of complaints coming in of iPhone 4s static/crackling noise coming from the phone when placing calls. I personally had the same problem on an iPhone received 10/14. Replacement devices seem to be having similar problems. Here are the following symptoms:


-Very intrusive and abnormal crackling/static noise can be heard through the ear piece while on a call. More obvious in a quiet room.

-When call ends, the sound can STILL be heard coming from the back of the phone. Which means the source of the noise may be coming from there?

-Atleast one person noted that the noise can be stopped by shorting out the signal by placing hand over two top antenna bands forcing a "switch".

-Replacement devices are having same symptoms.


Is anyone NOT having the the symptoms described on the new iPhone4S?

iPhone 4, iOS 5

Posted on Oct 19, 2011 8:48 PM

Reply
188 replies

Jul 26, 2012 10:57 AM in response to GoldRocket

I work on iPhones daily, replacing all components, repairs and water damaged. I had a you man today that came in with an iPhone that made a horrible static when trying to make a call, and the person receiving the call could not hear anything on their end. I tested it with a new mic/charge port...no joy. I tested with a new set of loud speakers...no joy.


I then pulled his sim card and put my own (AT&T) sim card in there and was able to make a call with no issues or static. I noticed the Customer's sim card had a finger print on it, so I cleaned the sim card with a WD-40 stick pen, reinserted it in his iPhone and was able to make several calls using his sim card, and the receiving persons could hear just fine.


I know this might not be the cure for all the 4S iPhones, but it is odd that it is happening to iPhones that do use a sim card. I hope this might help some of you, as it something new I learned today, and I have worked on iPhones daily for three years.


Best of Luck

Aug 22, 2012 8:03 AM in response to GoldRocket

I got my iPhone 4s at the beginning of July.. Yesterday it wouldn't charge full stop... Left it to charge for hours and tried three different wires but nothing worked... It also would not connect to the computer. I was advised by tmobile to take it to the apple store. I went there today and was given a replacement. The phone is fine but when I called my boyfriend I could hear a light crackling/static noise every so often, even after I hung up I put my ear to the phone and could still hear it for a few seconds. I've made more calls and even reset the phone but nothing has helped. Should I bring it back or is it likely they will refuse to replace it since the phone is otherwise fine? I already know that its going to drive me mad after a few days. Oh and my other iphone 4S NEVER had this problem.

Sep 19, 2012 11:57 AM in response to al21240

Call the Pope 🙂 Apple still don't give a ****. The issue is reported almost an year ago. There is no clear statement from their side,yet ! I
And the unhappy news is that the iOS 6 does NOT fix the issue. That nasty sound still persists ... "well" done Apple 🙂)
Guess what my next phone will be.
Small hint - the 1st letter is "S" 🙂


God bless you !

Sep 24, 2012 12:28 PM in response to FL iPhone Guy

Thank you! I have been having this strange loud static problem with my iPhone 4 off and on for months now and the cleaning the SIM card trick worked for me. I took it out and it had a fingerprint on it for sure. I just polishied it with a microfiber cloth and when I put it back in no sound issues at all. I will report back if this doesn't last but thanks to FL iPhone guy!

Oct 9, 2012 5:18 AM in response to GoldRocket

Thanks Apple for hiding from this issue. It's all about money here fellas. You know what would happen if they releseased a statement saying there was a wide spread static issue? All the nit wits out there who don't pay attention to detail would finally listen for the static because they were told about it and then finally hear it. Then Apple would have to do a massive recall and it would cost millions and millions of dollars and untold damage to thier repuattion as a world wide leader in quality. As long as they can keep this quiet they will. And it seems to be working just fine at the moment for them...


-****** off iPhone 4$ owner

Oct 9, 2012 8:52 AM in response to KaptnKoz10

Very true.


What I find equally shameful is how little, if any, media attention has been paid to it. This was a real problem far more like antenna-gate than the low quality Maps app that will improve over time. This static issue is a definite design or manufacturing defect and yet no mention in the media.


Perhaps if more of us reach out to the likes of Consumer Reports and Walt Mossberg (WSJ) types in the media, it may get the attention it needs.


Imran

Oct 9, 2012 9:01 AM in response to Leonard42

Just a follow-up; looks like I spoke too soon. The crackling sound returned a week after I tried the "cleaning the SIM card fix". The strange thing is that it did work well for a while and now is still working but with occasional static. Again, I have an iPhone 4 so maybe this is different than the 4S issue but unfortunately it continues to be a problem.

*Important--iPhone4s Static/Crackling Noise

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