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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

View in context

504 replies

Brode002

Level 1

9 points

Oct 12, 2016 10:22 AM in response to Steven Fisher1

I recently visited my Verizon store regarding this issue and the tech said that its caused by the HD Voice software programing that is a feature offered by both Verizon and I believe ATT.

It is a similar to the technology that Bose uses in their noise cancellation headphones to cancel out frequencies and background noise on the call that could muddle to voice clarity quality. The 7 plus is particularly susceptible to this. The problem is believed to be caused because the new microphones are much more sensitive than the outgoing 6's and the software is over interpreting the sound input causing Verizon to Verizon calls to have an artificial sounding voice.

Its apparently supposed to be address in their next programming update.

redzgal

Level 1

4 points

Oct 12, 2016 10:28 AM in response to Brode002

My 7 seems to be ok with the trick I used above, but it would be GREAT if Apple is working on a programming update..fingers crossed.

Oct 12, 2016 11:02 PM in response to Steven Fisher1

The time has come, waiting for Apple response as it was with a new model 7, additionally problem was with all the Iphone's 4,5,6 & 7 and there were many post in forum regarding call quality which were unanswered and no usefull reply.

The only answer is Reset or Clean .Why do we Reset device each and every time and why does this Reset is dependent on call quality,its purely a software/hardware. issue I hope. And y do we carry a brush all the time holding such a beautiful costly Apple in the other hand.

Please do not reply with that old link.

Please take this into consideration and make sure that this gets solved for all devices not only 7.

Thanks.

mbreber

Level 1

4 points

Oct 13, 2016 2:10 AM in response to Steven Fisher1

Same for me with my iPhone 7. Almost everyone I "tried" to talk too could not understand me properly. I will return the product. This is not what I expect from Apple. But hey, you can buy a watch.

blur35mm

Level 1

8 points

Oct 13, 2016 11:47 AM in response to Steven Fisher1

Steven Fisher1 - quick update, I tested a co-worker's new iPhone 7 Plus (on AT&T) and his phone is working just fine. I listened to his phone up to my ear and the call quality is working as I expect it to be.

He listened to it on my phone and said "wow that is horrible, sounds like a distant speakerphone". I am hoping that when I get the replacement phone this is resolved.

I have also noticed that when I take calls, I have to turn the volume way down because people around me can easily hear the conversations even though it is not on speakerphone. Something is definitely wrong. Will keep you posted once I get a replacement.

Maliepa

Level 1

4 points

Oct 13, 2016 3:09 PM in response to Steven Fisher1

HI there!

I´ve the exact same problems I am from France and just receive the new Iphone7 ... seems to work better with headphones...

jwiseman

Level 1

8 points

Oct 13, 2016 4:51 PM in response to anirudhputta

I have the same problem of muddled sound on the Iphone 7. To everyone:

1) How can it be the service provider when my iphone 6 sounded great with the same provider?

2) A quick review of all the complaints show that all the hoops that have been suggested to jump through - turning off LTE, turning off Voice etc. DO NOT WORK.

3) This is obviously an iphone issue. What infuriates me is Apple's "Geniuses" (an oxymoron if there ever was one), will never admit to a problem with any product. It is just, "Keep B.S.ing them until they go away. Anyone who knew the least bit about Steve Jobs and his commitment to quality and excellence will know that Tim Cook and his Bozo' team will have Steve turning in his grave.

Apple - just admit there is a known problem - let us know you are working on it - and send out a bulletin when a fix has been found!

jpreaume

Level 1

4 points

Oct 14, 2016 10:26 AM in response to Steven Fisher1

I had the same problem. Go to: settings/cellular/cellular data options/enable LTE. Uncheck "voice & data" and check "data only". That solved the issue for me. HD Voice seems to be the cause of issue .

JennC

Level 1

8 points

Oct 14, 2016 6:59 PM in response to Steven Fisher1

I have a call issue sometimes when I am in a loud area and on a call, it sounds like really loud background noise and I could barely hear the person on the other end. Would this be a network issue (I have Verizon) or should I swap out for new 7+?

I also changed the settings to LTE data only.

Oct 14, 2016 9:10 PM in response to Steven Fisher1

Hi Steven. I encountered the exact same issue for my new iphone 7 plus 128 G Matt Black (Verizon A1661) purchased today. Immediately I unboxed the new phone and made a phone call to my friend, I noticed that the incoming voice sounded extremely distant and muffled. Before unboxing the new phone, I was using iphone 5 to call the same person and the sound quality was much clearer and more crystal than the iphone 7 plus. I could clearly tell the call quality difference. I tried calling other numbers with the new iphone 7 plus, but the sound was still very distant and muffled. finally i decided to return the phone. very disappointed.... I didn't try the settings method to resolve the issue because we are supposed to use LTE for both voice and data and LTE voice is supposed to be clear and crystal. I hope Apple can really pay attention to this issue as more and more people are encountering the issue.

Oct 17, 2016 9:36 AM in response to Steven Fisher1

almost 4 weeks are gone without propper telefon quality... Problem is still up to date. Today I ordered a replacement iphone 7 plus and have to change my new iPhone into a refurbished/repeared or new looking iPhone....

i will Update if it helped