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 grenadegage,

    grenadegage grenadegage May 11, 2016 8:10 PM in response to skierrob2
    Level 1 (4 points)
    May 11, 2016 8:10 PM in response to skierrob2

    Bought an Iphone. Audio sounds blown out /overmodulated /heavily distorted on a regular bluetooth call in both cars HOWEVER, when I call some offices or stores on the bluetooth...sounds fine. Maybe audio issue is just cell phone to certain cellphones. Don't know. Anyway I returned the iPhone Se after 13 days. Picked up a new one the next day. This time tried I straight out of the box, no upgrade or restore to itunes, SAME audio issues. Phone is mostly unusable in vehicles on bluetooth. I have 2 days left to decide to take this 2nd purchase of the SE back for full refund. No word on a fix. Spent hours on the phone with Apple support ENGINEERING and they went through different settings with me on both vehicles (had vehicles coms updated in dealership again) and the iphone. Nothing works so far. However, leads me to believe they are still in the gathering info to identify the casue so they can figure a fix. Not sure if I want to wait in case they can't fix it....

  • by dcpmark,

    dcpmark dcpmark May 12, 2016 6:56 AM in response to grenadegage
    Level 1 (28 points)
    May 12, 2016 6:56 AM in response to grenadegage

    grenadegage wrote:

     

    Bought an Iphone. Audio sounds blown out /overmodulated /heavily distorted on a regular bluetooth call in both cars HOWEVER, when I call some offices or stores on the bluetooth...sounds fine. Maybe audio issue is just cell phone to certain cellphones.

     

    There was an audio engineer that explained the effect....I may be wrong but think he called it "clipping."

     

    But even with Beta solving the distortion problem for me, I have also noticed that BT call clarity in my 2014 GMC Denali for both my iP6 and my SE depends highly on the phone on the other end. When calling a landline, no problems. When calling a cell phone, the BT clarity deteriorates a bit, and if I'm calling another person on a BT handsfree kit, they have a tough time understanding me. Again, this is a separate issue from the distortion that most of us had.

  • by Itsbarbara,

    Itsbarbara Itsbarbara May 12, 2016 7:35 AM in response to grenadegage
    Level 1 (8 points)
    iPhone
    May 12, 2016 7:35 AM in response to grenadegage

    The only help I'm getting is from people on this thread. I called Apple on April 19, and I was elevated to senior tech support. Since I was leaving the country the next day so he told me to call when I returned. He gave  me a case number and his direct line in order to contact him. I called May 6 on a Friday and he was off so his voicemail said he would return my call Monday. I did not get a call Monday so I called back on Tuesday twice, then called on Wednesday. That 24 hour turnaround  still has not taken place. I think I might have to try the beta that other folks on this link have found to be helpful. It is too late for me to return my phone. I am so disappointed in Apple, their tech-support and customer service used to be so good but it has really gone downhill.  I'm sorry I switched over from my Samsung devices. This has been a very unsettling experience. I bought an iPad and an iPhone thinking I was getting The best technology had to offer.  I've been very disappointed with the support I've received or rather have not received. There are many things about these two devices that I love, but when you can not get support for your devices, what good are they? By the way I tried online support as well and that was not any better, they actually said this was not a trending issue. Perhaps they should login to their own customer support pages.

  • by Diane McDonald,

    Diane McDonald Diane McDonald May 12, 2016 8:31 AM in response to Itsbarbara
    Level 1 (4 points)
    May 12, 2016 8:31 AM in response to Itsbarbara

    I had the same problem but have now downloaded iOS beta 9.3.2 and the problem is solved.

    sign in for the beta profile and download it to your phone and hey presto!! Hooray!

  • by predacon,

    predacon predacon May 12, 2016 8:32 AM in response to Itsbarbara
    Level 1 (4 points)
    May 12, 2016 8:32 AM in response to Itsbarbara

    I'm nearing the 14 day window on my SE.  Considering dumping it and getting a different phone.  Will keep the SE that my dad uses since he doesn't use Bluetooth. 

     

    C'mon Apple. ROLL OUT A FIX!   We spent a ton of money on two of these phones!

     

    Apple's silence on this problem is deafening.  I think the following is Apple's trouble shooting flowchart:

     

    http://www.freeinfostuff.com/Flowchart/Drawing1.jpg

  • by predacon,

    predacon predacon May 12, 2016 8:45 AM in response to Diane McDonald
    Level 1 (4 points)
    May 12, 2016 8:45 AM in response to Diane McDonald

    So what happens when Apple rolls out the real 9.3.2 (in 2 months) and the problem resurfaces for those of us that installed the beta? 

     

     

  • by akordion,

    akordion akordion May 12, 2016 9:35 AM in response to Diane McDonald
    Level 1 (10 points)
    iPhone
    May 12, 2016 9:35 AM in response to Diane McDonald

    Would you say that it is completely solved, meaning that sound is on par with other phones?  The reason that I ask is because for the first few days of installing "B***" the sound of BT calls was much better, but then after that it declined to an acceptable level.

  • by akordion,

    akordion akordion May 12, 2016 9:37 AM in response to predacon
    Level 1 (10 points)
    iPhone
    May 12, 2016 9:37 AM in response to predacon

    Why would problem resurface?  It shouldn't if Apple won't re-introduce any more issues with BT.  As long as there are no regressions we should be fine.

  • by lvragerboy,

    lvragerboy lvragerboy May 12, 2016 9:48 AM in response to skierrob2
    Level 1 (4 points)
    May 12, 2016 9:48 AM in response to skierrob2

    Just received my new SE. Same issue. All my three blue tooths that worked fine with my 5 are now overmodulating and very annoying

    Who do I advise at Apple this is an issue?

  • by akordion,

    akordion akordion May 12, 2016 10:05 AM in response to lvragerboy
    Level 1 (10 points)
    iPhone
    May 12, 2016 10:05 AM in response to lvragerboy

    Welcome to the club   Just sit tight and wait for Apple to release software update.  You can of course contact Apple, but don't know if/how they will be able to help you.

  • by Itsbarbara,

    Itsbarbara Itsbarbara May 12, 2016 10:10 AM in response to Diane McDonald
    Level 1 (8 points)
    iPhone
    May 12, 2016 10:10 AM in response to Diane McDonald

    Called Apple AGAIN, talked to a different Senior Support Agent and he advised me against the Beta. Urged me to wait for a few more days. Is calling me back on Monday with an update as to where they are in solving this. Said that often beta causes additional problems. Also said the Beta fix wasn't permanent for some Users. He said they are even looking to see if their may be faulty Bluetooth chips. If so, may be a recall. If it is software related, then they hope to resolve it.

  • by mreg376,

    mreg376 mreg376 May 12, 2016 10:23 AM in response to Itsbarbara
    Level 1 (15 points)
    Wireless
    May 12, 2016 10:23 AM in response to Itsbarbara

    OH no!  Don't even SAY that!  The Beta Bluetooth Experts here have already DECIDED that it CAN'T possibly be a hardware issue.

  • by akordion,

    akordion akordion May 12, 2016 10:26 AM in response to Itsbarbara
    Level 1 (10 points)
    iPhone
    May 12, 2016 10:26 AM in response to Itsbarbara

    So we are back at the initial thought: "could be related to software and/or hardware".  If this is really true, then for some people the software update will fix the issue and some may still experience call quality issues.  In my case right at this moment I think the issue is fixed 80%. Will wait until Apple releases a public version and see if it contains latest fixes that would further make the BT call quality better. If not, then hopefully Apple will issue a recall as you have mentioned.

  • by akordion,

    akordion akordion May 12, 2016 10:27 AM in response to mreg376
    Level 1 (10 points)
    iPhone
    May 12, 2016 10:27 AM in response to mreg376

    Ha!  I remember the debate

  • by brettfromcoffs harbour,

    brettfromcoffs harbour brettfromcoffs harbour May 12, 2016 2:31 PM in response to akordion
    Level 1 (12 points)
    May 12, 2016 2:31 PM in response to akordion

    Apple Support have no idea what is the problem, they are taught to deny and everyone that rings are the first one they have heard of. Its software just wait for update or go buy a S7, simple.

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