Level 1

7 points

iPhones 6S Plus Earpiece Crackling When on Call

Has anybody with a new S noted a "crackling" or resonance noise when you are on phone calls especially with your earpiece (not speakerphone) volume set to 75% or higher? It seems to occur mostly if the person on the other end of the line speaks louder than usual or raises their voice. It's almost as though the metal grill inform of the the earpiece is vibrating from excess sound coming through or that it's loose.

At first I though it was a blown earpiece speaker but I noticed I was able to resolve it even at 100% volume by turning ON the Hearing Aid feature under General>Accessibility menu selection. BUT it makes the caller on the other end sound bass heavy and there is zero treble and makes them sound muffled.

So it's either bad earpieces or software. Any ideas?

iPhone 6 Plus, iOS 9.0.2, 128Gb

Posted on Oct 6, 2015 1:42 AM

81 replies

Vignaraj

Level 1

4 points

Dec 5, 2015 4:15 AM in response to Ruben dog

They are trained to pretend as though the issue is new ...same for me ...quiet disappointed with the call quality ...regretted on getting a i phone for Christmas ...

dsc888 Author

Level 1

7 points

Dec 6, 2015 8:57 AM in response to manno3

Yup. This is my EXACT issue along with the crackling even with volume turned midway at the earpiece. Just sad!

dsc888 Author

Level 1

7 points

Dec 6, 2015 8:58 AM in response to Vignaraj

That right! They all say that it the first time they have heard about the issue. Sure! My older 6 and 5 had crisper, clearer sound without the crackling.

Dec 8, 2015 1:43 PM in response to dsc888

It looks like apple uses 2 different kinds of chips on iphones produced by tmsc or samsung. Maybe we all have one of these chips ?

I Tested mine with an app, and it looks like mine is samsung...

Dec 8, 2015 2:51 PM in response to osmanisik

My daughter has the iPhone 6S 64GB with the TSMC processor inside, the earpiece is crackling as well so the issue has nothing to do with the brand of the processor.

Dec 9, 2015 5:24 AM in response to Bronco the great

iOS 9.2 released. Any improvements on the issue?

Dec 9, 2015 6:11 AM in response to DmitryMikhnevich

I have already my 6S plus to iOS 9.2 and the issue is always there

Ismirill

Level 1

0 points

Dec 9, 2015 8:27 AM in response to Bronco the great

Same problem on Iphone 6s. Nothing has changed with 9.2 (maybe a lower volume). Same vibration/distortion on call.

tummie

Level 1

0 points

Dec 9, 2015 12:02 PM in response to dsc888

I even hear the crackling while using my beats headphone connected to my iPhone 6s 64GB. So probably a software issue.

Dec 9, 2015 2:26 PM in response to Ismirill

Problem comes at the same time that the phone starts to rattle from the autofocus. I had my 6s replaced. For 2 weeks no rattle from autofocus and no cracking in the earpiece. After 2 weeks slight rattle in the phone around the camera. Genius gold me iT is autofocus. A couple of days later I noticed for the fist time the cracking in the earpiece. It is really related.

ON Sunday I have again appointment with Genius. I wonder.....

But basicalky, in my opinion this is totally unacceptable for à premium and very expensive phone!

tummie

Level 1

0 points

Dec 14, 2015 11:04 AM in response to PatrickDB

Hi PatrickDB,

Can you please update us on you visit with Apple?

Regards,

Thomas

Dec 14, 2015 12:14 PM in response to tummie

In Apple store happened just what I expected.

They listened to it, first denied it, then accepted that there is indeed a light crackling which is not always easy to hear. It is also not always there, but only with specific frequency.

It mostly occurs with automatic messages, like voice mail, welcome message from certain companies, ...

Feedback from the 'Genius': "We do not replace it, because it will be the same problem with a replacement phone. It comes from the vibrating autofocus lenses".

After some discussions they admitted that they do not want to replace it NOW, as at this moment it is hard to hear, but when it becomes more present, they might reconsider it.

Totally unacceptable of course, and what was said before: once you hear it, you hear it all the time!

Dec 14, 2015 12:15 PM in response to PatrickDB

Btw: I don't hear it with earphones.

Dec 14, 2015 1:43 PM in response to PatrickDB

I can also hear it on my earphones!

tummie

Level 1

0 points

Dec 14, 2015 11:32 PM in response to dsc888

Also, my call quality is very poor if i compare this with my old 5S. Its definately not the earspeaker that is causing this as i hear a voice memo very clear.

Is anyone else experiencing this?

Regards,

Thomas

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iPhones 6S Plus Earpiece Crackling When on Call