skierrob2

Q: 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

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Q: iPhone SE Bluetooth issues

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  • by Allisonm67,

    Allisonm67 Allisonm67 Apr 6, 2016 2:16 PM in response to Steve9881
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apr 6, 2016 2:16 PM in response to Steve9881

    The only worry is that you will go through the time and hassle of exchanging your phone just to get another that has the same problem if there are many of us with the same issue.  Do you think it might be worth waiting to see if there is a software release? BTW I checked and my iPhone rattles too which is somewhat worrying!

  • by Steve9881,

    Steve9881 Steve9881 Apr 6, 2016 2:24 PM in response to Allisonm67
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apr 6, 2016 2:24 PM in response to Allisonm67

    On a couple of other posts on here people have reported a replacement has cured it. a bad batch maybe? Who knows. Still, I'll give them the opportunity to replace it, but I won't be accepting one that rattles. if it doesn't rattle, and has the same issues,  I may hold out for a couple of weeks for a software update to see if it cures it, as  I don't want a 6 sized phone, it's too big for me!

  • by akordion,

    akordion akordion Apr 6, 2016 2:30 PM in response to Steve9881
    Level 1 (10 points)
    iPhone
    Apr 6, 2016 2:30 PM in response to Steve9881

    What rattles - Something inside the phone rattles or as my phone's power button?

  • by enarjay,

    enarjay enarjay Apr 6, 2016 4:02 PM in response to skierrob2
    Level 1 (12 points)
    iPhone
    Apr 6, 2016 4:02 PM in response to skierrob2

    I replaced 2 IPhone 4S's that sounded perfectly in my cars.  I have just received 2 new IPhone 5 SEs.  Paired them with 2 Mercedes, one is a 2014 E 550 and the other one is a 2015 ML 400... so unhappy to say that the Bluetooth connection is terrible in both cars.  I do hope Apple will correct the problem soon. I am grateful for your posts.  Incidentally, neither phone rattles.

  • by bhseqo,

    bhseqo bhseqo Apr 6, 2016 7:43 PM in response to skierrob2
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPhone
    Apr 6, 2016 7:43 PM in response to skierrob2

    Thanks for the update Skierrob2 re Apple Support getting in touch.

     

    Replaced my 4S with the SE and having the problem in my VW Scirocco R. Tested on a bluetooth speaker (UE Megaboom) and the same issue occurs where it sounds distorted. 4S has no problems with either, and I've tested a 6, 6Plus, 6S and they all work perfectly on both.

     

    Hopefully a software fix is able to be pushed out for this soon.

  • by grace4u,

    grace4u grace4u Apr 7, 2016 5:07 AM in response to skierrob2
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apr 7, 2016 5:07 AM in response to skierrob2

    Add me to the list.  2013 Toyota Avalon Hybrid Limited Edition.  Replaced old IPhone 5 that worked perfectly in my car.  Now with my new SE,  music streams fine with Bluetooth in car and on all devices I have repaired with.  I have noticed my range is shorter. Only 12 feet away and lost connection.  Used to be about 25 feet.  Phone calls fine if handheld but terribly distorted on Bluetooth in car.  I have not contacted Apple yet.  This is my first search to see if anyone else was having issues.  I KNEW I should have waited for the 7!  What do we do now?

  • by Bengalack,

    Bengalack Bengalack Apr 7, 2016 6:01 AM in response to grace4u
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apr 7, 2016 6:01 AM in response to grace4u

    Add me to the list too.

     

    I went from iPhone 6S to iPhone SE. Initially it took ages for it to find my Fitbit wristband (but works now). The same with the Harman/Kardon wireless Esquire 2 (wireless conferencing with "fantastic noise-cancelling" and such). Music streaming sounds ok on it, but talking on phone using it, is very noisy, like scratching.

     

    Using the phone in the car, a Ford S-Max (only available in Europe), using their SYNC 2-system, seems to work, so far (tested only once). Using it in an VW e-Golf is just as great as before (tested only once).

     

    So; slowness and one case of poor audio-quality.

  • by jordanpesci,

    jordanpesci jordanpesci Apr 7, 2016 6:01 AM in response to skierrob2
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPhone
    Apr 7, 2016 6:01 AM in response to skierrob2

    Thanks for the updates and diligence, skierrob2. Add me to the list as well. I received my iPhone SE 16 GB Space Gray running from T-Mobile on launch day, running iOS 9.3.1, and am having the same issue Bluetooth call issues with it paired to my 2015 VW Passat and my Powerbeats 2 Wireless earphones. So frustrating. I did not have these issues with my iPhone 6s.

  • by Cbrown06.cb,

    Cbrown06.cb Cbrown06.cb Apr 7, 2016 6:03 AM in response to skierrob2
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apr 7, 2016 6:03 AM in response to skierrob2

    I Have had the exact issues with my iphone SE.  Upgraded from a perfect iphone 5........... Use the SE in my 2016 Subaru Forester Limited.......bluetooth music streams perfectly BUT phone calls sound HORRIBLE.........so bad that I have to transfer the call everytime back to the handset.......it is a SAFETY ISSUE!

    BTW........my SE has a rattle too!    Thanks for pointing that out everyone! Lol.    I would already be back at Apple to return the phone but I don't want a tablet sized iphone in my pocket:)

  • by Trilantis,

    Trilantis Trilantis Apr 7, 2016 6:19 AM in response to skierrob2
    Level 1 (8 points)
    iPhone
    Apr 7, 2016 6:19 AM in response to skierrob2

    Same problem here with my car using MyFord Touch and with two additional bluetooth earpieces. I chatted with Apple support last night, they had me try restoring the phone and testing with no user data on the phone, still had the same issue. Seems like software or hardware to me. I'm supposed to get a call from an engineer this afternoon.

  • by jordanpesci,

    jordanpesci jordanpesci Apr 7, 2016 7:46 AM in response to skierrob2
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPhone
    Apr 7, 2016 7:46 AM in response to skierrob2

    I am part of the public beta program as well so I just submitted the feedback and details to them via the Feedback app and included the URL for this discussion. Fingers crossed this is software related.

  • by Ross_H_D,

    Ross_H_D Ross_H_D Apr 7, 2016 8:51 AM in response to skierrob2
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPhone
    Apr 7, 2016 8:51 AM in response to skierrob2

    Ditto!

     

    Same over modulation of BT on phone calls, with:

     

    2015 GMC Yukon

    Motorola S11-Flex HD Headphone

    Sena motorcycle headset


    As an added note this appears to effect phone calls and how I hear the other caller.  The other caller reports a light bit of static but negligible when I speak. Music over BT via these devices appear clear and normal as it was for the 5s.



    RHD

  • by skierrob2,

    skierrob2 skierrob2 Apr 7, 2016 9:15 AM in response to skierrob2
    Level 1 (33 points)
    iPhone
    Apr 7, 2016 9:15 AM in response to skierrob2

    All,

     

    If you are having this issue and have NOT reported it to Apple yet, I suggest you do so.  If Apple is aware of many different individuals having the issue, I think they might bump the priority of this issue to a higher level.  I just don't want this thread to be a "replacement" for telling Apple about the problem because I can't guarantee that anyone at Apple is even looking at this thread. 

     

    FYI -- I did send diagnostic logs to Apple yesterday as they requested, but I most likely won't hear anything back from the support engineer that I'm working with until Saturday as he is out of the office.

     

    Robert

  • by DjRalford,

    DjRalford DjRalford Apr 7, 2016 9:18 AM in response to Steve9881
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apr 7, 2016 9:18 AM in response to Steve9881

    Having the same issues as outlined by others

     

    i just got a 64gb SE but pairing it to my 2012 Fiesta the call quality is full of cracking to the point I can barely hear what the other persons saying, tried the troubleshooting stuff to no avail.

     

    oddly enough my music plays flawlessly over Bluetooth but as soon as I am on a call it's awful.

  • by jclr_9,

    jclr_9 jclr_9 Apr 7, 2016 9:54 AM in response to skierrob2
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apr 7, 2016 9:54 AM in response to skierrob2

    I have the same issue with my SE with my Motorola headset, and my SENA in helmet communication system.  Music works fine, but phone call quality is horrible.

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