iPhone 7 Plus Phone Call Sound Quality

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. 🙂

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!!

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

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.

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!

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Did you get a free fire extinguisher with your edge?

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

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.