iPhone 5s mic problem

Apple has a serious problem with the Iphone 5s. It can't discriminate and choose the right mic. Seems it always want to use the one on the backside, close to the camera. Close that one with your finger and people can hear what you are saying.

Shame on you Apple....

Have the same problem ! And putting the finger over rear mic solves the problem.

Better call apple for a return.

I am finding that my case is a factor. I have an Otterbox Defender. The bottom area where the main mic is located seems exposed, but I need to open the two flap of the case at the bottom for the voice quality to be right. I am considering cutting the flaps off alltogether. I was sent a replacement phone which seems better, but I'm not completely sure if it is OK or not. I can only test it by calling my answering machine which sounds kinda bad anyway.

This is a problem for me as well on two iPhones - waiting for replacement as microphone iPhone 5s 16gb does not work at all. When I bought the phone a month ago, the sound was tinny and weak, then two weeks later stopped working completely. On phone with Apple for several days and not one tech would admit that this is not an isolated incident. The microphone on my husband's Iphone 5c is poor but still works for calls. It does seem like the microphone is not the same as in previous iPhones.

I am waiting for my replacement as well - the microphone in new iPhone 5s stopped working after 2 wks. Very frustrating that Apple will not admit and acknowledge...

does anyone have suggestion of cell phone that is not an Apple but is similarly intuitive?

Tried the Samsung Notes phone and it was just not as user-friendly as the iPhone/Apple interface

Just took my gold iphone 5s to the Apple Store. The technician took it in the back to test it, and acknowledged there was a hardware issue related to the noise cancelling mic on the back. So, he swapped my phone out for a new one. We'll see if the new one has the issue. But, no doubt, there was an issue with the last one.

mmh..interesting, bc that is exactly the phone I have...be curious to learn how the new one is....Apple is replacing mine with same model, color, etc, though I'd rather have less flashy one that works better

having the same muffled audio issue. Turned off noise cancellation and will observe a couple of days if people I call notice any difference.

Same problem with 3rd iPhone 5s. Worse on the left ear and/or laying down leaning back.

@Dblearon:

1. does disabling noise cancellation make any difference?

2. can you reproduce this issue when recording a video with the front camera (facetime camera..)? In that case it uses the fron mic...

Interestingly enough, when I got my replacement 5s, it was already set with NOISE CANCELLATION set to OFF. Strange, as I believe the default setting is ON.

I wonder if this validates that there is indeed an issue with the 5s noise cancellation design.

It seems that the change in this default setting is aimed at reducing the volume of issues reported, since many have stated that they have seen improvements when not using noise cancellation. I imagine we will see a software update that addresses this issue. In the meantime, I am guessing that Apple's interim approach is to set new phones to not use noise cancellation.

I thought that too, but then I realized that I had turned the noice cancellation off on my first phone and when I restored from backup it restored that setting as well.

turning noise cancellation off has not helped me at all

Hi guys, i'm experiencing the same problem... people saw a loud me and thought I was showing off my new golden iphone...but in fact, the person i'm calling couldn't hear me...

turn the noise cancelling couldn't help

waiting for solutions..

As a temporary solution try to keep palm of the hand ur holding your phone with close to the bottom corner of iphone so sound gets in to microphone more easily.. this works for me as temporary solution... I will be replacing this phone next year when they fix the flaws..