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skierrob2 Author

Level 1

38 points

iPhone SE Bluetooth issues

I have a new iPhone SE and have so far paired it to a 2014 BMW 328i and a 2011 Kia Optima and a 2015 Kia Santa Fe. In all cases, I have terrible quality bluetooth call reception... the audio while on a phone call is extremely scratchy and distorted.

If I pair an iPhone 6S to each of these vehicles (same iOS version - 9.3.1), I do NOT experience these issues and calls are clear.

When I use the iPhone SE to make phone calls outside of Bluetooth, I have no issues and calls are clear.

This bluetooth issue on my iPhone SE does NOT impact Bluetooth music streaming. Only sounds scratchy / distorted with phone calls.

Apple, so far, is blaming the vehicle manufacturers despite there being multiple vehicle models and brands involved.

BMW and Kia state this must be an Apple problem.

Apple Genius bar is absolutely no help -- they state they can't report "software issues" to Apple and are only able to replace bad iPhones.

I'm at a complete loss as to how to get this to Apple's attention so they can fix the issue.

For now, I don't know what to do. All I know is that Bluetooth audio is very important to me in California since it is illegal to use your phone except in a hands free manner.

Anyone know how we can get this information to someone at Apple that can actually do something about it?

Robert

Posted on Apr 4, 2016 5:27 PM

934 replies

skierrob2 Author

Level 1

38 points

Apr 4, 2016 6:03 PM in response to ChrisJ4203

Oh trust me -- I'll be going to a different Genius bar on Wednesday (next appointment available) and am on hold with phone support right now. I am *not* dismissing your ideas at all. I'm trying to cover all bases 😉

ChrisJ4203

Level 10

230,678 points

Apr 4, 2016 6:04 PM in response to skierrob2

Okay. Good luck.

Apr 5, 2016 10:51 AM in response to skierrob2

I have similar issues with a 2014 Subaru Forrester and a 2015 Jeep Renegade using the iPhone SE.

Mickrt

Level 1

4 points

Apr 5, 2016 11:30 AM in response to skierrob2

I Have the same issue, Vauxhall Astra 64 plate and Nissan Juke 2011 plate, no issues with my iPhone 5c's connected my iPhone Se to my Vauxhall and my wife's Se to the Nissan, the Bluetooth is terrible, totally distorted to the point where there is no chance of a decent call.

i have spoken to Apple tech who say it's the cars not the phone.

*********

<E-mail Edited by Host>

akordion

Level 1

15 points

Apr 5, 2016 12:11 PM in response to skierrob2

I have Jawbone Era Bluetooth headset and I do hear cracking distortions when on a call. I had an older phone which also had similar issue, but at that case I would turn off WiFi radio and call was clear again. I believe there could be interference with WiFi signal when phone is connected to WiFi + Bluetooth is used. I haven't tried that with my new SE, will try it tonight.

FYI - I also have other phones(Android) and they don't have distortions when on Bluetooth(exception of course when microwave is on). Checked my headset with iPhone 5s and 6 - no sound issues.

VUDoc27

Level 1

14 points

Apr 5, 2016 12:25 PM in response to skierrob2

I have had the exact same issue. Synced my new 64GB iPhone SE (on Verizon) to my 2015 VW Tiguan and all calls and GPS navigation is massively distorted and static-y to the point of unbearable. I ended up returning the phone thinking that I just got a lemon. With others stating the same issue, I'm wondering if there is just some kind of defect with the bluetooth chip on the SE model in general, or if the software is by default pushing the bluetooth call audio too hot and creating distortion. Either way, this thread has pushed me in the direction of the 6S when replacing this upgrade...

Has anyone had this issue and figured out how to fix it? I've tried all of the steps of the original poster and had no choice but to return - as hands-free calling and GPS is a crucial feature to me as well. Apple should look into this if there's a possibliity that it can be fixed with a software update AND even more so if they're shipping with bad GPS chips.

Apr 5, 2016 12:59 PM in response to skierrob2

I'm having a similar issue to Robert some slightly different variables but I think ultimately sounds like the same issue. I have 2 different bluetooth headsets a Plantronics Discovery 975 and a Plantronics Voyager Edge and with my iphone 5S no audio issues but currently with my new iphone se it almost sounds like the person on the other end is so loud its distorted. Even at mid volume the issue is extremely noticeable. I never had any issues previously and was running both iOS 9.3.1 with both phones. I can pair the headsets on my old phone or my girlfriends 6S and have no problems but I don't know why on my brand new phone the audio is terrible. When using my beats wireless headphones paired via bluetooth i have no issue with streaming music. My next test will be to use the beats and complete a phone call. Apple Geniuses HELP~!

skierrob2 Author

Level 1

38 points

Apr 5, 2016 1:06 PM in response to skierrob2

To compile a collection, so far the following Bluetooth devices are showing as having problems with the iPhone SE. Other than providing feedback through Apple's feedback link, not sure what else to do as Apple Genius Bar still just says it must be my car. I have an appointment with another Genius Bar tomorrow.

DISTORTED / SCRATCHY AUDIO REPORTED WITH THE FOLLOWING:

* 2011 Nissan Juke (reported by Mickrt)

* 2011 Kia Optima (reported by skierrob2)

* 2014 BMW 328i (reported by skierrob2)

* 2014 Subaru Forrester (reported by Steve Sparks)

* 2014 GMC Acadia Denali (reported by dcpmark on MacRumors)

* 2015 Jeep Renegade (reported by Steve Sparks)

* 2015 Kia Santa Fe (reported by skierrob2)

* 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan (reported by VUDoc27)

* 2015 Toyota Rav 4 (reported by lordofthereef on MacRumors)

* unknown - Ford MySynch - reported by kpeex on MacRumors

* unknown year - Vauxhall Astra 64 (reported by Mickrt)

NO PROBLEMS DETECTED WITH THE FOLLOWING PER REPORTS:

* 2013 Toyota RAV 4 (reported by Mainiac on MacRumors)

akordion

Level 1

15 points

Apr 5, 2016 1:09 PM in response to skierrob2

If you do meet with Apple specialist tomorrow, could you please mentioned that users with different Bluetooth headsets are also having sound issues?

swiftse3

Level 1

4 points

Apr 5, 2016 1:42 PM in response to akordion

Put me on the list. Iphone SE paired with 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Motorola H710. All was well with 5S. All is now scatchy / distorted / borderline unintelligible. I will return my phone in the next couple of days if no resolution.

skierrob2 Author

Level 1

38 points

Apr 5, 2016 1:56 PM in response to swiftse3

Can't seem to "edit" my post above, so here is a new list:

DISTORTED / SCRATCHY AUDIO REPORTED WITH THE FOLLOWING:

* 2011 Nissan Juke (reported by Mickrt)

* 2011 Kia Optima (reported by skierrob2)

* 2014 BMW 328i (reported by skierrob2)

* 2014 Subaru Forrester (reported by Steve Sparks)

* 2014 GMC Acadia Denali (reported by dcpmark on MacRumors)

* 2015 Jeep Renegade (reported by Steve Sparks)

* 2015 Kia Santa Fe (reported by skierrob2)

* 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan (reported by VUDoc27)

* 2015 Toyota Rav 4 (reported by lordofthereef on MacRumors)

* 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee (reported by swiftse3)

* unknown - Ford MySynch - reported by kpeex on MacRumors

* unknown year - Vauxhall Astra 64 (reported by Mickrt)

* Motorola H710 (reported by swiftse3)

NO PROBLEMS DETECTED WITH THE FOLLOWING PER REPORTS:

* 2013 Toyota RAV 4 (reported by Mainiac on MacRumors)

pquack84

Level 1

8 points

Apr 5, 2016 6:40 PM in response to skierrob2

ADD ME, 2014 Toyota Camry having issues with SE

Also, my SE is not connecting to my soundbar bluetooth, it is not even reading it as a device to connect to

I sent this link to this thread to APPLE FEEDBACK, hoping they send out an update for this bug otherwise Im going back to iPhone 5

rulas75

Level 1

4 points

Apr 5, 2016 7:26 PM in response to skierrob2

I'm having the same issues while making a call over Bluetooth on a 2013 VW Passat with an Advent OVW1 aftermarket headunit.

Apr 6, 2016 2:25 AM in response to skierrob2

I´ve got the same problem with a BMW 520d and a Ford Galaxy. My previous iPhose 5s had no problems at all.

ianrm57

Level 1

14 points

Apr 6, 2016 3:44 AM in response to benicoletti

I have a simular issue, with 2 different identical Bluetooth (Model BTH-068) headsets that I use for phone calls. Received my iphone SE yesterday but tried headset today, and its almost un-usable. Can hardly understand what is being said it is so crackly. It can't be both headsets gone bad at exactly the same time. Both worked perfectly yesterday with my iphone 4S.

I hope apple can fix this issue. I am disabled and can't function without my headset.

If this is apples way of saying buy everything (i.e headset) from us, then I'll be forced to go Android.

iPhone SE Bluetooth issues