Q: iPhone SE Bluetooth issues

MotleyDiver wrote:

 

Jefflid wrote:

 

Your thoughts on this are very welcome.

 

I'd steer clear. DCPMARK counters me in 3.....2......1

Ha! Hey, I'm no Apple apologist, and I'm not going to try to talk anybody in getting a particular phone....the only reason I entered this conversation was because initially I was having the same Bluetooth problems with my SE as others were, and then to correct the not very bright people who were saying it was a Bluetooth hardware problem. My favorite was the guy who said AFTER all the SEs were fixed that the fix just "masked the hardware problem"......

Software cannot "mask" a hardware failure......either the hardware works as intended or it doesn't. People who say such things don't even have a basic understanding of what BT is......it is nothing more than a low-power transmitter and receiver that carries a series of specialiized communication protocols. If one BT device can pair with anoother BT device and properly communicate over just ONE of the many profiles, there can be no hardware problem. In this case, everyone who was reporting trouble with carkits and headsets were also reporting that BT music streaming worked perfectly, myself included. That simple fact precluded hardware failure,  and thus I knew a software fix was coming.

The BT in the SE now works as intended, without recalls, replacing chips, etc. The SE does not have, nor did it ever have. a Bluetooth hardware problem. It had a Handsfree Profile (HFP) problem, and possibily a Headset Profile (HSP) problem that was fixed with the software update. Is it possible that future iOS updates will temporarily break Bluetooth in the SE or other devices? Of course. Apple has always had bad Bluetooth stacks that seem to sacrifice interoperability between non-Apple devices when compared to Android.

Since Apple has not released sales figures for the SE, so it would be complete speculation by those unqualified to make such speculation as to the reason. The only anectodal evidence we have is that at Apples Earnings call Tim Cook said the demand on the SE exceeded supply and that they were surprised. But I'm also sure there were lots of returns due to both Bluetooth issue and the yellower screen of the SE, which seems to be of great consternation to some. some people exchange their SEs 5 or 6 times looking for a cooler or more uniform screen, which makes that many more unavailable to someone who's trying to purchase just one SE. The sim-free ones were in short supply from Day 1, long before any troubles were reported........I ordered mine on launch day, and was given the choice of picking up a 64gb Space Gray Verizon that day in my local Apple Store, or waiting 2 to 3 weeks for the sim-free version. Apple clearly missed on the number of smart buyers who thought sim-free models would be better for resale and carrier independence.

Thank you dcpmark for your views. Food for thought..........

Jefflid wrote:

 

I have been following this thread all along and I'm glad to see the IOS update now allows BT to work on the SE. I have an iPad and iMac but am still using a Nokia phone but want to buy the SE as I like the size. I'm in the U.K. and there is some stock available but a lot of suppliers are out of stock (Sim Free). I'm just wondering if Apple has asked retailers to withhold stock from sale until the BT problem was solved or if Apple have been holding back deliveries for the same reason and/or are Apple about to produce stock with a modified or non-faulty BT chip? There was one poster on this thread who said they'd been told by an Apple employee that it was possible that the SE initial production might have had faulty BT chips. As this will be my first smartphone, I'm inclined to wait awhile to see if any news comes out about the possibility of a faulty chip but how would we customers know when new manufactured stock was available? I know that the IOS update has solved the problem but if there is a hardware problem being masked by the IOS update, might it occur again on a subsequent update? Your thoughts on this are very welcome.

Yesterday I ordered a 16GB SE for my octogenarian father.  He's stepping up from the 5C.  My mom has a 6.  My dad doesn't want the size of the 6.  The SE is slated to ship on 5/27.  It's possible they are bringing out a new BT chip, but I don't think anyone's heard anything definitive about that.  Since 9.3.2 has resolved the BT issue with the SE, it seems to me that Apple is just releasing the existing inventory and, if the assembly lines had stopped while this issue was being resolved, they've likely started up again.  If the resumption of shipments brings a new BT chip with it, then good for you if you decide to buy it.

As I've previously posted, I'm very happy with the SE, especially now that the BT issue is resolved.  We have three 64GB models in our household, and my family is similarly happy, too.  Check through these 60 pages, or more specifically the last several since 9.3.2 was released — and even those pertaining to the Beta — and I think you'll find many if not most SE owners pleased with them.

Likewise, you have many options out there.  Buy it or don't, it's certainly your choice.  Also, to say that it was built out of spare 5 parts is not accurate, as hardware-wise it's really something of a mix between the current guts of the 6s (incl A9 processor, rear camera and 2GB RAM) with the screen, Touch ID and front camera of the 5s.  IMO this was a smart solution and offers a powerful, up-to-date phone at a better price-point, in a 4" form factor.

Lastly, all of the so-called hoops people have gone through after updating to 9.3.2 amount to the whopping inconvenience of a soft reset, which I did as a matter of course as soon as the updates completed.  Rather than a hassle, it's just good practice.  So is an occasional reboot.

MAKING THE DECISION:

We bought 2 iPhone SE 64GB phones. I was on an iPhone 4s. I'm busy with social networking apps video, so it's a given that there's a HUGE difference from a 4S to the iPhone SE. Coming from that phone, I find it funny that people call the iPhone 4s "tiny" or the "little phone." On the downside, I am not so impressed with battery life. Without using SnapChat (which is a big drain), I'm down to 20% or lower by the end of the night. That's not much better than the really old iPhone 4s (battery replaced about a year ago). I really don't think there should even be a comparison between the two when it comes to battery life. On the upside, absolutely everything else works great (nice to have the sound working well now). It's super-fast, the camera is great, Apple Pay is cool. I really have nothing to complain about...except the annoying expired Target add that is sitting on my Apple Pay screen.

Somehow, my wife, who really just uses the phone for calls, texting, email and iMDB (LOL), sees a speed difference coming from the iPhone 5s.

I would prefer the bigger phones, but I wanted to hold back for the 7. T-Mobile was running a deal where you can get a 2nd phone for 1/2 price. So, $750 for 2 iPhone SE 64GB (plus tax) really can't be beat. Even at $500 each for the 64GB, the price difference is so significant that if you like texting with one hand or just don't care much about the bigger screen, it's an easy decision. I would like to have force touch and a bigger screen, but that's not enough for the price difference...especially considering the replacement cost if the phone breaks, gets lost or is stolen.

Also consider that, since the SE uses the 5s cases, you can pick up a PixelSkinHD for around $5 NEW in package on eBay. You can add that in as another $25 savings.

Hope this helps!

scottmk wrote:

 

Jefflid wrote:

 

I have been following this thread all along and I'm glad to see the IOS update now allows BT to work on the SE. I have an iPad and iMac but am still using a Nokia phone but want to buy the SE as I like the size. I'm in the U.K. and there is some stock available but a lot of suppliers are out of stock (Sim Free). I'm just wondering if Apple has asked retailers to withhold stock from sale until the BT problem was solved or if Apple have been holding back deliveries for the same reason and/or are Apple about to produce stock with a modified or non-faulty BT chip? There was one poster on this thread who said they'd been told by an Apple employee that it was possible that the SE initial production might have had faulty BT chips. As this will be my first smartphone, I'm inclined to wait awhile to see if any news comes out about the possibility of a faulty chip but how would we customers know when new manufactured stock was available? I know that the IOS update has solved the problem but if there is a hardware problem being masked by the IOS update, might it occur again on a subsequent update? Your thoughts on this are very welcome.

Yesterday I ordered a 16GB SE for my octogenarian father.  He's stepping up from the 5C.  My mom has a 6.  My dad doesn't want the size of the 6.  The SE is slated to ship on 5/27.  It's possible they are bringing out a new BT chip, but I don't think anyone's heard anything definitive about that.  Since 9.3.2 has resolved the BT issue with the SE, it seems to me that Apple is just releasing the existing inventory and, if the assembly lines had stopped while this issue was being resolved, they've likely started up again.  If the resumption of shipments brings a new BT chip with it, then good for you if you decide to buy it.

 

As I've previously posted, I'm very happy with the SE, especially now that the BT issue is resolved.  We have three 64GB models in our household, and my family is similarly happy, too.  Check through these 60 pages, or more specifically the last several since 9.3.2 was released — and even those pertaining to the Beta — and I think you'll find many if not most SE owners pleased with them.

 

Likewise, you have many options out there.  Buy it or don't, it's certainly your choice.  Also, to say that it was built out of spare 5 parts is not accurate, as hardware-wise it's really something of a mix between the current guts of the 6s (incl A9 processor, rear camera and 2GB RAM) with the screen, Touch ID and front camera of the 5s.  IMO this was a smart solution and offers a powerful, up-to-date phone at a better price-point, in a 4" form factor.

 

Lastly, all of the so-called hoops people have gone through after updating to 9.3.2 amount to the whopping inconvenience of a soft reset, which I did as a matter of course as soon as the updates completed.  Rather than a hassle, it's just good practice.  So is an occasional reboot.

I agree.

it's a 5 on steroids.

but problem solved, issue closed....

I Was and i am  very happy with my Se, first issue

Confirmed latest update has corrected all blue tooth issues.

kirbyfromtrenton wrote:

 

Confirmed latest update has corrected all blue tooth issues.

@mreg376  #SEBTHARDWAREPROBLEM 

The first generation at least of the SE still has a bluetooth hardware anomaly.   Glad I got rid of it when I could.

Rubbish, got mine on day 1 and is perfect. Give it up you lost.

mreg376 wrote:

 

My brain has a hardware anomaly.   Glad I got rid of it when I could.

FIFY. If only this thread could have gotten rid of your BS as easily.

#IDONTKNOWWHATIMTALKINGABOUT

#ILIKETOPRETENDIMABLUETOOTHEXPERT

#NOTANEEBUTIPLAYONEONTV

#SLEPTATAHOLIDAYINNEXPRESSLASTNIGHT

mreg376 wrote:

There is no "fix."  Some have claimed that the second beta of 9.3.2 has helped, and others say that the third beta has reintroduced the problem.  No one knows for sure whether this is a hardware or software problem, as Apple has said absolutely nothing.

Remember this gem? 

brettfromcoffs harbour wrote:

 

Rubbish, got mine on day 1 and is perfect. Give it up you lost.

LIke I said....he never had an endgame for his idiotic claims. There was no version of this where he would end up being right. The sad part is he got a few people to worry about a hardware problem that existed only in his brain.

mreg376 wrote:

 

The first generation at least of the SE still has a bluetooth hardware anomaly.   Glad I got rid of it when I could.

Sorry, not true - mine was also purchased on day one direct from the Apple Store, and unlike some others has worked fine from the off with no bluetooth issues either in car or with headsets, so never had to resort to Beta's. Thought luck might run out with latest 9.3.2 update which has been reported to give issues on some iPhone 6/6s plus iPad Pro's - but all still fine.

Seven weeks in and couldn't be happier, it's solidly built yet light, very fast and so far hasn't put a foot wrong with things like Handoff, Text Forwarding or syncing of played Podcasts with my iMac, not bad at all in my view.

I have enjoyed reading Mreg376 wild assumptions almost as much as the final outcome on this thread from day 1 when the Bluetooth issue was raised. I am now happy to purchase my 64gb se when it becomes available.

Thank you to the sensible people who gave good advice and passed on their findings concisely after the Beta which couldn't be mentioned offered a fix.

I do hope mreg367 remains in the community for the entertainment value but got the impression they are now lost to the android world.

Actually you may be confusing me with some of the others who thought that taking six weeks to officially release a fix for a supposed software problem was not a good sign.  I'm still convinced that it was not a good sign in terms of the SE's Bluetooth hardware. However, no Android for me.  I dumped the SE weeks ago and retreated to a proven 6s.