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iPhone 7 Plus Phone Call Sound Quality

So we just got 2 new iPhone 7 Plus' and I am noticing that the incoming call audio quality on both sounds strange. I have the Apple leather case on the phone and incoming audio sounds distant. Like it is coming from behind the phone or something. It almost sounds like the phone is on speaker phone but it isn't. Turning the volume down helps a bit but it seems off. Previous I had an iPhone 6 so I don't know how this compares to the 6 Plus.

Any help is appreciated!

Thanks!

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X El Capitan (10.11)

Posted on Sep 16, 2016 11:36 AM

Top-ranking reply

eXactMat

Level 1

8 points

Posted on Mar 2, 2017 5:26 AM

The iPhone 7 (Photo credit: John Taggart/Bloomberg)

With the launch of the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, Intel finally made its way into Apple's most important product. Good news for Intel, no doubt, but not for consumers.

Tests of LTE connectivity, released on Thursday by Cellular Insights, show a huge performance gap between the iPhone 7 equipped with an Intel modem and a Qualcomm modem. The difference in performance is a black eye not only for Intel, but also for Apple, which for the past five years had relied on Qualcomm exclusively for its iPhone modem chips. With the iPhone 7, Apple decided to make two versions -- one with an Intel modem and one with a Qualcomm modem. (Neither Intel nor Apple have commented on the performance gap so far.)

For consumers, the downside of owning an Intel version is significant. The tests revealed that Qualcomm-powered iPhone 7s are able to consistently establish stronger connections to LTE networks than Intel-powered iPhone 7s. Qualcomm modems outran Intel modems by 30% in overall performance, and 75% when the signal was at its weakest.

Since writing a story about these modem benchmarks, readers have asked FORBES -- directly and via Twitter -- how to make sure they're buying the better iPhone 7 with a Qualcomm modem. If you want to get the best bang for your buck, you probably should be careful which iPhone 7 you end up buying.

Here are some ways you can make sure you're not buying the inferior iPhone 7.

Model number

As this Apple spec page shows, Apple created two distinct versions of the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus to segment out devices with an Intel modem or a Qualcomm modem.

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By checking the model number on the back of the iPhone 7, you will be able to tell:

Model A1660 and Model A1661 means they have a Qualcomm modem.
Model A1778 and Model A1784 are equipped with an Intel modem.

Carriers

If you're a United States-based customer buying from a carrier, the best way to make sure which iPhone 7 you're getting is:

Verizon and Sprint sell the Qualcomm-powered iPhone.
AT&T and T-Mobile sell the Intel-equipped iPhone.

The Apple spec page indicates that the Intel-powered

A1778 and A1784 phones won't support CDMA (or code division multiple access), a cellular technology used on some LTE networks. That means an Intel-powered iPhone 7 simply won't work on CDMA networks, such as Verizon's and Sprint's.

Qualcomm's modem works on all the four big carrier networks in the US. And o

verall, Qualcomm's modem supports a much wider variety of cellular technology than Intel. Qualcomm hardware supports GSM/CDMA/WCDMA/TD-SCDMA/LTE, while Intel's only support GSM/WCDMA/LTE. That means that in addition to improved connectivity performance with a Qualcomm modem, Qualcomm can work on more networks.

Apple also sells unlocked versions of the iPhone 7 and iPhones 7 Plus that

come with a Qualcomm modem.

The relationship between modem makers and carriers is a close one. Supporting various cellular technologies is extraordinarily complex. Each carrier has their own unique network demands and features. Qualcomm has been in this game a lot longer than Intel, and as a result, it has a lot more to offer the consumer, according to experts.

“Building modems for today’s cellphones is an extremely daunting task,” said Sundeep Rangan, an engineering professor at New York University who specializes in wireless technologies. “It has to support a dizzying array of features and get the chips down to a form factor and low power performance.”

Follow me on Twitter @aatilley or send me an email: atilley@forbes.com

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504 replies

Oct 6, 2016 4:32 AM in response to Edbeam

I tried it with iOS 10.1 and provider software 25.1, 25.5 and now it's 26.0 doesn't make a differenc.

ALso redtored iphone in DFU mode and the normal way - no change. Voice recordings or videos are just Fine.

People say when I push the iPhone on my Cheek it get's better, but it has to be good if I hold it slightly on my ear too I think. Hopefully it get's fixed very soon.

redzgal

Level 1

4 points

Oct 7, 2016 11:57 AM in response to Steven Fisher1

I had the same problem...went to the Apple store and they couldn't figure out the issue...replaced it and got a new iPhone 7 and it still happened. I found on Google that iPhone 7 comes with the Enable LTE feature set to Voice & Data. If you change it to Data only, that should take care of the problem. It worked for me anyway and I'm with Verizon...not sure if that makes a difference. Settings>Cellular>Cellular Data Options>Enable LTE> Select Data Only. Hope that helps. 🙂

JMass6

Level 1

4 points

Oct 8, 2016 1:32 PM in response to redzgal

Thanks for the tip about changing the LTE Cellular option to Data Only. I also saw that on Google a few days ago, and tried it, but it didn't seem to make a big difference. I tried it again after reading the post here. I thought it couldn't hurt to try again. This time it made a big improvement. So I am much happier now.

At the same time, I have a iPhone 6 that I use for work that has LTE enabled, and it has no call quality problems. Same thing for my personal iPhone 6 that I just traded in. It also had no problems. So while I am glad that a work around helps, Apple needs to work together with its providers and fix the issue. If LTE (in theory) is the new standard and offers improvements, then this new phone needs to work with it.

But thanks redzgal! A work around is great for now!!

redzgal

Level 1

4 points

Oct 8, 2016 3:10 PM in response to JMass6

JMass6, sorry it didn't totally fix it, but as you said hopefully Apple will create a remedy soon!

MUFarm

Level 1

4 points

Oct 10, 2016 6:24 AM in response to redzgal

Same issue with two new iphone 7s on ATT. Audio on voice calls is cutting out. I answer calls and people can't hear me. Also sounds very "hollow", especially when I talk to another iphone 7 user.

I'll try the LTE data only "fix" and report back. Weird.

Oct 10, 2016 3:01 PM in response to MUFarm

I'm on ATT and was also being told people couldn't hear me when I was talking. Just switched LTE to data-only. Will also report back. Thanks for the tip!

a-z9

Level 1

4 points

Oct 10, 2016 5:35 PM in response to Steven Fisher1

I had the same problem with my 7 plus, went to genius bar and was told it was my carrier (Verizon). I went on here and tried Settings>Cellular>Cellular Data Options>Enable LTE> Select Data Only like some suggested and it solved the problem FOR NOW.

redzgal

Level 1

4 points

Oct 10, 2016 5:50 PM in response to Steven Fisher1

Glad the tip regarding LTE is helping...even if temporary and hopefully it's not! 🙂

Sarez72

Level 1

4 points

Oct 10, 2016 8:00 PM in response to Steven Fisher1

Just an update - I've since had my phone replaced by apple and have the problem remains.

I'm in Australia and I don't have the LTE option that has been mentioned with regards to setting voice/data on/off so I'm stuck with the problem. My workaround at the moment is to only make/take calls with the headset plugged in where possible as the sound is normal with headset.

blur35mm

Level 1

8 points

Oct 11, 2016 2:40 PM in response to Steven Fisher1

Just got an iPhone 7 Plus 256GB on Verizon. The audio on speakerphone or headphones is just fine nice and loud. When up to my ear listening through the regular phone ear speaker, all calls (cellular or wifi facetime audio) sound very muffled. When I set Enable LTE to DATA ONLY and Accessibility / Phone Noise Cancellation OFF it improved just a little bit but my old 5S phone was much much crisper and clearer. I would say it sounds tinny/hollow and very muffled/distant. I will take the phone to the Verizon store and exchange it. I have a friend with the exact same phone on Verizon and it does not have this problem when I tested it. I wish Apple would acknowledge this problem and either say they can fix it via software and/or post some guidance on this issue.

Oct 11, 2016 2:53 PM in response to blur35mm

Blur35mm,

This is the exact problem I have. Been like that since day one which is when I started the thread! Believe it or not I have not had a chance to get to the apple store yet. Been swamped. Please let me know how the replacement works out.

Thanks!

blur35mm

Level 1

8 points

Oct 11, 2016 3:28 PM in response to Steven Fisher1

Steven Fisher1 - I just talked to my Verizon rep. He will replace my iPhone 7 Plus but it is not in stock at the moment. Will keep you posted when I exchange.

Oct 12, 2016 1:24 AM in response to Steven Fisher1

Got 3 replacement 7 plus phones in 1 week. First 2 had "sound like Im underwater when Im calling" issue. 3rd Phone better in the voice department - had the hissing problem. To the extent that any video recorded with the phone recorded the hissing sound. I returned the phones for a refund. Got an s7 edge - happy now. Thanks Apple.

Oct 12, 2016 2:35 AM in response to steve gee11

Did you get a free fire extinguisher with your edge?

Oct 12, 2016 6:52 AM in response to Marketsync

No, but I bust a gut from your oh so hugely creative wit.

iPhone 7 Plus Phone Call Sound Quality