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

mreg376

Level 1

20 points

May 16, 2016 1:21 PM in response to scottmk

What I find interesting is that they are constantly pushing back the availability date for new orders. Does anyone here know if ANY SE's are actually shipping? I know of no one who has received an SE after they all disappeared from stores.

May 16, 2016 1:36 PM in response to mreg376

I'm in Boston, and there are zero SE's available within 150 miles of me. Shipping is estimated 2-3 weeks out.

The complete unavailability of any SEs can only mean that the true root cause of the problem is hardware. Sure, the new software may mask the issue, but the actual problem is hardware related, and Apple is working hard to produce new SE units with new Bluetooth hardware.

Senna67

Level 1

8 points

May 16, 2016 1:35 PM in response to mreg376

mreg376 wrote:

What I find interesting is that they are constantly pushing back the availability date for new orders. Does anyone here know if ANY SE's are actually shipping? I know of no one who has received an SE after they all disappeared from stores.

lots of people sent their phone back or swaped theirs that will create shortages, in my country se's are on stock in a few apple stores, online you have 2 to 3 weeks delivery time

Senna67

Level 1

8 points

May 16, 2016 1:43 PM in response to Kjell T. Ring

Kjell T. Ring wrote:

I'm in Boston, and there are zero SE's available within 150 miles of me. Shipping is estimated 2-3 weeks out.

The complete unavailability of any SEs can only mean that the true root cause of the problem is hardware. Sure, the new software may mask the issue, but the actual problem is hardware related, and Apple is working hard to produce new SE units with new Bluetooth hardware.

That is most likely the reason.

Here we go again.

akordion

Level 1

15 points

May 16, 2016 1:39 PM in response to Kjell T. Ring

If that theory about Apple making new SE units is to be believed - will existing owners be entitled to replacement?

scottmk

Level 1

8 points

May 16, 2016 1:50 PM in response to Kjell T. Ring

Kjell T. Ring wrote:

I'm in Boston, and there are zero SE's available within 150 miles of me. Shipping is estimated 2-3 weeks out.

The complete unavailability of any SEs can only mean that the true root cause of the problem is hardware. Sure, the new software may mask the issue, but the actual problem is hardware related, and Apple is working hard to produce new SE units with new Bluetooth hardware.

Isn't it just as likely that Apple simply held back on selling any more SE's until they were fully functional? Can you tell the difference between a hardware flaw or a software problem based solely on the marketplace? I know that I can't. If SE's become readily available in the next 7-14 days, won't that look like a voluntary withdrawal until full functionality was established?

Given Apple's overall lack of any coherent communication about the SE's well-known and well-documented BT issues, it really should not surprise anyone that they're similarly close-lipped on this.

May 16, 2016 1:57 PM in response to mreg376

Yes they have fixed the SOFTWARE bluetooth problem and they will start the recall soon 😉

May 16, 2016 2:08 PM in response to brettfromcoffs harbour

Why performing a recall if it's a software issue?

The wifi/Bluetooth module is a slightly newer version than the 6s one, and there is maybe a slight differe in the hardware, requiring probably some slight adaptations in the code.

The hardware may not be faulty, but only the software deep layer.

It's only a supposition, but I don't see why changing hardware if software update resolves the issue.

scottmk

Level 1

8 points

May 16, 2016 2:14 PM in response to scottmk

scottmk wrote:

If SE's become readily available in the next 7-14 days, won't that look like a voluntary withdrawal until full functionality was established?

Plus, you can bet money that every SE in inventory must be unpacked, updated to 9.3.2, repacked, and then shipped out. That takes time and is labor-intensive.

dcpmark

Level 1

28 points

May 16, 2016 2:18 PM in response to matt31500

matt31500 wrote:

Why performing a recall if it's a software issue?

He was making a joke. 😁

Senna67

Level 1

8 points

May 16, 2016 2:19 PM in response to brettfromcoffs harbour

brettfromcoffs harbour wrote:

Yes they have fixed the SOFTWARE bluetooth problem and they will start the recall soon 😉

Unbelievable 😁

akordion

Level 1

15 points

May 16, 2016 2:25 PM in response to scottmk

I don't think that Apple will need to unpack/update/repack phones. When user buys SE, phone will check for update and offer it to the customer. If any customer will use Bluetooth before upgrading to latest iOS and have BT issue, then that person will just update the phone to the last OS as a troubleshooting step 🙂

May 16, 2016 2:52 PM in response to akordion

Guys,

do you think if I update via OTA or iTunes is the same?

Because OTA is only 90Mb, iTunes 1 giga...

Do you think it will fix the same?

Thanks

akordion

Level 1

15 points

May 16, 2016 2:54 PM in response to Lizard_Blu

When you use your phone to get OTA, then update gives you only needed files, but when you use iTunes it downloads and flashes full firmware. I personally mostly use iTunes to do the update, but for small update sized which as less than 100MB I can also use phone to do the update.

Senna67

Level 1

8 points

May 16, 2016 2:57 PM in response to Lizard_Blu

Lizard_Blu wrote:

Guys,

do you think if I update via OTA or iTunes is the same?

Because OTA is only 90Mb, iTunes 1 giga...

Do you think it will fix the same?

Thanks

OTA should fix your problem it updates your ios, itunes will reinstall ios

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iPhone SE Bluetooth issues