Q: iPhone SE Bluetooth issues

Would you mind if we keep the thread on the topic at hand? Maybe start a new thread to compare the devices? This was we can all stay informed as things change.

Thanks,

Ross

Just chatted with Brian at Apple Support and can add a few tidbits.  They are definitely aware of the situation and I got an assurance that we wouldn't be left hung out to dry.  For the record: iPhone SE 16GB, 2007 BMW 335i and 2006 BMW 325i.  Same issues as everyone else.  The only way I can get even remotely intelligible incoming voice is if the person speaks very very softly.  It's as if there is some pre-amp that is totally maxed out and the voice signal from the other party is being terrible over-amplified when being sent to the BT unit.  Maybe the guy who mastered the Imagine Dragon's album did the BT!

Here are a few pertinent tidbits from the chat.  I've edited out some pointless stuff.

Brian:  I have been able to confirm what you have basically informed me. We have had a number of complaints of this issue.  Right now this is currently under investigation, so the boards were on to something.

Me: I guess I'm just looking for a little guidance. I love the phone and am willing to wait for a bit for a fix, but I'd hate to let the return window pass and then be told that there is nothing that can be done.  Similarly, I'd hate to pay more for a form factor I don't want or for an older phone.

Brian: I can definitely understand that concern. I am confident your window won’t pass and if it did, we would not leave you hanging.

Me: You guys have always been great to deal with, but it's nice to hear.

Brian: I ask that you bear with us if possible as we are working tirelessly to ensure you have the best iPhone.

Me: OK. I'll sit tight and wait for an update.

Brian: We are on top of it and will be working to get it as soon as possible.

Me: Great.

Brian: If you need anything or we get close to your time, please chat us back to ensure you are fully updated!

akordion wrote:

 

We as users pretty much have 2 options:

 

1) Return the device, then re-buy it once the issue is cleared

2) Wait for it to get fixed via Software update(as mentioned that is shouldn't be hardware issue)

 

I am opting for #2 and just hope that Apple will have a quick turnaround in rectifying this issue.

I agree, as I was waiting for this 4 inch phone (others are too big for me) and I think that, except for this issue, it fits perfectly my needs. Sounds to be a software issue, just like a wrong volume settings, and I'm glad you all are telling us Apple is aware of the problem. We'll see, hopefully soon!

Hi,

   same problem here with  Iphone SE 64Gb and 2012 VW Passat ....phone calls are very distorted ..overboosted sound...

Here are some observations on my SE I wanted to share earlier:

I tested the SE Bluetooth connectivity with all the Bluetooth devices I own until I dug up my old Plantronics M25 few days ago and that works flawlessly with the SE. The clarity was really good. I repeatedly tried with the other 7-8 Bluetooth headsets and they had distortions including Entune on Toyota Corolla.

I seriously feel that SE supports only a specific set of Bluetooth profiles like someone previously mentioned earlier on this thread. I already logged this information with the Apple Support/Engineers.

I am just wondering if anyone has any similar experiences with Bluetooth specifications as same as this. Here are some more info on the Bluetooth headset from the web:

Plantronics: M25

Bluetooth Version Bluetooth v3.0

Bluetooth Profiles Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP),

Hands-Free (HFP) Profile 1.6 and Headset (HSP) Profile 1.2

I will add one more thing. After reading someone's suggestion to turn LTE voice off, I can confirm that that, while not eliminating the problem, it certainly made it far better. Why that would matter is a mystery, but it went from completely unintelligible to usable and only slightly annoying.  It is certainly good enough for me to try and wait for a solution.

I went to Apple Store on Sunday after having been there on previous Wednesday. They seemed to take the issue a little more seriously and took detailed notes. I also was told that If the issue hadn't been resolved in a few months then I would be able to return the phone.

With regard to mckinneym's post, I was walking past the BOSE store on way out of shopping centre and tried their wireless headset. They worked extremely clearly with no distortion. I also just  received a new headset with ver 4.1 Bluetooth in mail today and they are also clear and undistorted. Unfortunately my old headset BTH-068 and 2010 BMW 3 series are not clear and are distorted. As mentioned in previous posts when the person talks softly and clearly it is understandable.

wdinoz, thanks for the great information. It's nice to hear that they took detailed notes, and that it may be possible to return the phone after a longer period of time if the issue persists. I, too notice very little distortion when the other party speaks softly.

My new iPhone SE (64 GB, space gray) has the Bluetooth distortion issue, too, when tested on my office Plantronics headset and 2014 Toyota Highlander. If the other call participant hears distortion, it seems to be less than what I am hearing on my end. Land line calls seem to have less, or no, distortion, oddly enough, though my sample size is admittedly small.

Apple does not have alert notes on it yet, says the senior engineer I spoke with, though they did eventually discover that it is a "known issue." They are under the impression that some SE units work fine. Does anyone have an iPhone SE that does NOT have a Bluetooth distortion issue? [It's kind of like asking a class to... "Raise your hand if you're not here!"]

Also... does the power button rattle on every SE, or just some?

I'm not sure why everybody is thinking it the car's problem. I have used every model iPhone with this car up through my current 5S with no bluetooth problem. The SE was an immediate problem on calls via bluetooth. All speech is unintelligible. I go back to the 5s and again no problem. There is clearly something wrong with the phone or the operating system version. BTW, I upgraded the version of IOS as soon as the phone was activated as it suggested to do so. I too opened a ticket and requested a call back from Apple just to have a ticket when it comes time to recall the phone. The complication is that I purchased the phone directly from AT&T this time so clearly it will have to involve them as well.

wdinoz wrote:

 

(...) I also was told that If the issue hadn't been resolved in a few months then I would be able to return the phone (...)

 

I think there would be two cases:

1) Issue will be addressed by software update I hope ASAP

2) If a hardware fault is the case, a recall campaign is expected; I sincerely doubt that, since almost all SE hardware is present in other iPhones.

3) If the issue is not solved until the year's warranty (in that case, it should be hardware), I will go to an Apple Store to let the phone be changed.

I want to share I have always locked phone to 3G network, so no LTE involvement.

Hi,

    mine too...power button rattle if I shake it (Iphone SE 64 Gb)...i think this new Iphone has poor quality...

For sure is not car's problem...i own iphone 4S and iphone6 ..both work perfect with my 2012 Passat OEM BT ...only  iphone SE has this problem with distorted calls

Thank god my 5s hasn't sold on Craigslist, my SE is packed up and ready for return tomorrow to Verizon.  I can't wait to pay them a $35 restocking fee for Apple's mistakes.  Thanks Apple!

I have the same problems with Peugeot 208... volume,distortion,terrible quality.

I reported this issue 5 days ago at Swedish Apple Support and then issue was quite unknown. Today Swedish Apple Support just assured me that this problem has the highest attention at Apple Corp. No wonder since so many Americans are returning their devices. Here in Sweden we have 3 years to do the same, if the problem is "built in from factory".

So now the waiting game begins. Will it be a software or hardware issue, who knows...