Q: iPhone SE Bluetooth issues

iPhone SE @ 8.3.1 + Marshall Major Bluetooth.

Music OK.

Phone call sound quality extremely bad.

THIS is not that kind of problem.  This is everywhere.  I know people who have SE's who didn't even realize their bluetooth was bad until I pointed it out.  I think it's almost ALL the SE's sold n the U.S., with a few exceptions.  If it's hardware, it will be a financial boondoggle for Apple.  And I haven't heard anything definitive anywhere that Apple is sure it isn't hardware.

mreg376 wrote:

 

THIS is not that kind of problem.  This is everywhere.  I know people who have SE's who didn't even realize their bluetooth was bad until I pointed it out.  I think it's almost ALL the SE's sold n the U.S., with a few exceptions.  If it's hardware, it will be a financial boondoggle for Apple.  And I haven't heard anything definitive anywhere that Apple is sure it isn't hardware.

You don't understand the nature of the problem. This is not first time Apple has had BT issues, and it won't be the last. It is not hardware.....every BT function has a different profile. That's why music streaming (A2DP) works perfectly while Handsfree (HFP) can be messed up. The Handsfree profile in the Bluetooth stack Apple has created for the SE is creating distortion with a large number of other BT devices. This profile is in EVERY SE, but is not incompatible with EVERY other BT device. My BT was horrible in my 2014 GMC Acadia Denali, and was crystal clear in a 2016 GMC Acadia. This thread is littered with posters saying the SE works great with their particular vehicle.

Because it's a software issue that does not affect every BT device, why would Apple make some sort of sweeping proclamation when they have already fixed the problem in software? You can do what others did in this thread, like me, and go try it for yourself, or wait a little longer until it is available on your phone as an update,

Having the same issue in the car.  The volume is weak and the sound quality is just awful; it's reeeeeally scratchy and inaudible.  All I know is I drove to Sprint last week with an iPhone 6 and no issues, got back in the car with the new SE and it was terrible.  It took several tests to determine it was the phone; trying different numbers, pairing in another car, pairing a different phone in my car, etc.

My details:

• iPhone SE - 64 GB, Silver
• Carrier:  Sprint (new)
• Version: 9.3.1
• Car: 2013 Ford Edge with Sync

I spoke with Apple this morning.  They ran me through the same hoops; resetting the network and a restore, disconnecting and restoring the Bluetooth connection on the car.  They finally suggested taking it in to an Apple Store.  It's clear that they just do not have enough complaints yet.  As I haven't owned the phone for even a week yet, I think my best bet is to return it and get a new one, if Sprint will let me. I don't know that this solves the issue, but I would imagine that returned faulty phones will get the point across.

Question for the forum: Apple said they had a similar issue in the past with I think the iphone 5 and Chryslers (?).  When Apple gets their sh*t together, will the fix be a software fix or will it require a new device?  Does anyone know how they've fixed these issues in the past?  Should I give up now and go back to an older phone?

debbec2016 wrote:

 

Having the same issue in the car.  The volume is weak and the sound quality is just awful; it's reeeeeally scratchy and inaudible.  All I know is I drove to Sprint last week with an iPhone 6 and no issues, got back in the car with the new SE and it was terrible.  It took several tests to determine it was the phone; trying different numbers, pairing in another car, pairing a different phone in my car, etc.

My details:

• iPhone SE - 64 GB, Silver
• Carrier:  Sprint (new)
• Version: 9.3.1
• Car: 2013 Ford Edge with Sync

I spoke with Apple this morning.  They ran me through the same hoops; resetting the network and a restore, disconnecting and restoring the Bluetooth connection on the car.  They finally suggested taking it in to an Apple Store.  It's clear that they just do not have enough complaints yet.  As I haven't owned the phone for even a week yet, I think my best bet is to return it and get a new one, if Sprint will let me. I don't know that this solves the issue, but I would imagine that returned faulty phones will get the point across.

 

Question for the forum: Apple said they had a similar issue in the past with I think the iphone 5 and Chryslers (?).  When Apple gets their sh*t together, will the fix be a software fix or will it require a new device?  Does anyone know how they've fixed these issues in the past?  Should I give up now and go back to an older phone?

Short answer: software fix coming soon.

Dcpmark here is my post from earlier in the week regarding this issue

This is an iOS issue. I've been working on this issue for a week and following this thread closely. Here is what I know after spending 3 hours in my local Apple Store:

1. It is an issue with 9.3.1 and is not hardware related.

2. I explained my problem at the Apple store. They confirmed after making a call on my SE with my bluetooth device there was a call quality problem.

3. We tried to connect my bluetooth to a store SE and the same problem persisted.

4. We changed bluetooth devices and reconnected to the store SE and then my SE. Same problem poor call quality.

5. We then connected to a store 6S and the call quality problem went away.

6. We then connected my bluetooth to the store 6S and was able to make a call with clear audio.

7. I exchanged my SE for the 6S and restored a backup from iCloud to the new 6S.

8. Once I was able to make a phone call with the new 6S that was restored from backup I had poor call audio.

9. The backup initiated the update from 9.2.1 which is installed on the 6S to latest iOS with patch 9.3.1.

10. So we started this process all over again at this point by reconnecting both the store bluetooth and my device to the store's floor 6S. We had clear call quality.

11. So we exchanged the new 6S I just purchased for a new 6S that was not updated and activated the phone as new without downloading the iCloud backup which means I didn't update the phone to iOS 9.3.1. Problem resolved and I now have clear call quality with my bluetooth device.

IF YOU EXCHANGE YOUR SE FOR ANY OTHER iPHONE DO NOT RESTORE FROM BACKUP. THIS WILL FORCE YOU TO UPDATE TO 9.3.1 AND THE PROBLEM WILL FOLLOW TO YOUR NEW PHONE.

The SE is currently being shipped with iOS 9.3.1

The 6S out of the box has 9.2.1

I hope this information helps anyone who is trying to resolve the same issue many of us have been working on.

If you can't live without your bluetooth device like me then you have no choice but to return your phone for the 6S and do not update to 9.3.1

If you can wait then I'm sure sooner rather than later there will be a patch for the patch.

Since posting this it apears some have luck switching to a phone with the new iOS and others have not. This anomaly appears to be a problem with the new software and phones with newer Bluetooth hardware.

Hope this helps.

Good luck.

I'm having same problem with my two new iPhone SE 64 GB. Voice is exrtrimly scratchy and distorted in Ford and Volvo. When I pair my old iPhone 5s and 6 voice is crustal clear. Basic troubleshooting and quick fixes suggested here did not help.

Shame on Apple.

The problem is clearly with iPhone SE, is worldwide and they are aware.

Apple should admit it officially and advise on remedy the loyal  supporters Worldwide.

I have returned my SE and using 4s again.

Don't be a guinea pig,  Apple will get the message and and fix quicker if their warehouses get full of rejected products.

The SE phone reception in the family BMW, Merc,Honda and Renault is poor, our other phones 4s,5s,6s and dare I say a Samsung all work fine, so it must be SE at fault.

Personally I buy Apple products because they usually work well and I don't want to waste my time trying to fix their problems, unless of course they are giving out free phones.

4S restored from Backup, 5S restored from backup, both 9.3.1 - everything works fine. So my experience is different. For me it looks like SE related.

For the ones who talk about bluetooth is problematic in general and its a profile thing, again: every iphone i had and the ones we still have work with every BT adapter 100% - not only cars, and the SE worked with none concerning the incoming voice quality.

I have the same experience as alexpetra. I mentioned that I was previously using the iPhone 6 with no problems.  Just checked and it's running 9.3.1.  So it seems for me also, it's the combination of the SE + 9.3.1.

I have iphone 5s and iphone SE and my car is seat ibiza 2016.

the iphone 5s the bluetooth is great.

and the SE the voice is poor!!

I delete the 5s and it doesn't help!!

the SE have defective Bluetooth. 

That kinda says it all.  I'm kinda thinking hardware issue.  It's pretty clear that there is something in the SE's bluetooth system that is unique, in a bad way.  If Apple can target an update just towards that, then maybe there'll be a software fix.  But a software update can't fix a hardware defect.  So we will see.

I have an SE and had (past tense) the same problem as everyone as I reported on page 2 of this thread. I gave up for a while and used the 5S I still had and left the SE in my desk drawer. After (skeptically) reading the posts about beta software I figured it was worth a try, so I signed up as a beta tester and downloaded 9.3.2. My Bluetooth now works as well on my SE as on my 5S both in my vehicle (2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee) and with my headset (Motorola H710. I am happy with my phone.

For the record, I am in the USA and on Verizon. My LTE is off for voice but on for data.

Your mileage my vary.

Cheers.

Have you actually followed the thread its been fixed in the next update, proven by testers as above.

If you actually read the thread you'd see that the opposite is true.