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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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Study Shows Huge LTE Performance Differences Between Intel And Qualcomm Versions...

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Photos: The Richest Person In Every State

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

Sim_NL

Level 1

4 points

Oct 28, 2016 7:35 AM in response to Steven Fisher1

I have the same issue with my iPhone 7 Plus 128GB. I am using it with the Dutch KPN provider.

I can reproduce the issue. I have always used my iphone's (3GS, 4GS, 5S, 6) with folio or wallet cases. This means that when I have to make a phone call dependent on the design of the case the front flap would be on the rear side of the iphone. This had never been a problem for my old iphone's.

The odd thing is that when I am making a phone call with my iPhone 7 Plus in the KAVAJ Dallas case and the flap is behind the rear part of the iPhone 7 plus, the microphone is cutting out and also I sound very muffled to the other party. As soon as I take the iPhone 7 Plus out of the case, the sound quality is much better. I even bought another case (Tech21 Evo Wallet) and the problem was still there. As if the rear microphone is causing a problem. As said before, I have never had this issue before. Not sure whether you are experiencing the problem with or without a case.

I could reproduce the issue with IOS 10.0.2 and 10.0.3, Noice cancellation on/off, a clean restore without using a backup.

I have returned the iPhone 7 plus and asked for a refund. Until they solve this issue I will hold on to my iPhone 6.

Sim_NL

Level 1

4 points

Oct 29, 2016 6:38 AM in response to Steven Fisher1

By the way there is another thread about this issue Re: iPhone 7 Microphone Cutting Out

Oct 29, 2016 11:18 AM in response to Steven Fisher1

I have the exact same problem. Called Apple Support. The tech acted like he never heard of the problem. Then he laughed at me and said his iphone 7 plus is working fine. So I hung up on him.

MayThor

Level 1

4 points

Oct 30, 2016 1:32 AM in response to chungmeng

Just got my iPhone 7 plus from Att and was having the same issue. I tried this and it worked!!! Just don't know how not having the voice part will affect my usage part of the phone.

Oct 31, 2016 8:27 AM in response to Steven Fisher1

I told my provider to turn off WLAN call and VoLTE option in my Customer Service Center, and than I turned it off on my phone as wel. Now I can do phone calls properly again. T-Mobile says its apples fault since WLAN call and VoLTE are working fine with samsung.... typically t-mobile.... we have to wait either Apple will fix it or t-mobile

Oct 31, 2016 8:29 AM in response to Steven Fisher1

I Have also had issues with my iPhone 7 plus taking the case off solves it completely, not ideal as i need a protective case but I think it's an issue with the new speaker placement.

Sim_NL

Level 1

4 points

Oct 31, 2016 9:06 AM in response to Starsandtripe1

That is why I returned my iPhone 7 Plus. Never had any problems with cases, so this seems more an hardware issue than software. And I am not going to use one with without a case, never done this before and not going to this just as a workaround for such an expensive hardware.

Oct 31, 2016 9:49 AM in response to Sim_NL

Did you try with the case on, but made sure not to cover the rear mic?

I had same problem as you with Dallas case. Bad sound quality in the other end when case on, and good quality when case off.

So I went and bought another case from another brand..and same problem, so its not only the Dallas case, seems like its all cases that cover the rear mic.

So I did a lot of research today about covering a mic while talking, i found reports even back to iPhone 4s where users had this problem.

My guess is that this is software related, and unique for iPhone 7 users of iOS 10, something with rear mic and noise cancellation.

Anyway, by knowing above, I again tried my Dallas case on, but this time I made sure not to cover the rear mic (fold the back of case like a triangle) when I initiated a phone call.

Sure enough it worked this time, no complaints from person in other end.

Just luck or not, I will test this more with this case on too see if I get any complaints.

As of now I'm happy again because the Dallas case is really good, light weight and nice to hold.

And... then hope for SW update from Apple so I don't have to care about the position of the back of the case when making a phone call.

Oct 31, 2016 12:10 PM in response to Sim_NL

I Have tried everything and after all my time into this problem and 3 new iPhone 7's later i have found that the only way people can hear you is by keeping the bottom of the phone no more than about 4 inches from your mouth. Anything els is barly audible. My iPhone 6 can be heard as far as my arm can hold it out. Speakerphone off. No case

Jun 26, 2018 1:06 AM in response to Steven Fisher1

Same issue with iPhone 7 (not plus). Calls seem distant, and I'm often talking over the person on the other end/hearing myself echo. iOS software is up to day 10.1.1

Sim_NL

Level 1

4 points

Nov 1, 2016 1:42 AM in response to SwedishKing

I tried this with both cases (Dallas and Evo) on and yes, the sound quality is better if the flap is not covering the rear mic. I am now using my old iPhone 6 using a case whereas the flap opens from bottom over the top to the back completely covering the rear mic when I am making a phone call. And no issue at all.

I have had other iPhone, even the iPhone 4S and with all my other iPhone's I have not had this issue before. I have always used cases which a flap covering the rear mic. So I am not sure whether a SW update will solve this issue with the iPhone 7 Plus.

That's why I have returned the iPhone 7 Plus as I refuse to use it without a folio / wallet case or use it in a way where I have to find an akward way to make a phone call so people can hear me. :-(

Perhaps it has to do with the Intel modem chip. I have an European model which uses the Intel modem chip. There are reports that the Intel modem is underperforming compared to the Qualcomm. Check this http://fortune.com/2016/10/20/apple-iphone-7-qualcomm-intel/or http://www.macrumors.com/2016/10/20/iphone-7-plus-qualcomm-modem-bests-intel-mod em/

Anyway, I do not really know what is going one and Apple is not responding nor acknowledging the issue. So all I can do as a 'loyal' customer is wait and see.

Sim_NL

Level 1

4 points

Nov 1, 2016 1:48 AM in response to 1959chevy

That must be frustrating after having tried 3 different iPhone 7. Seems like the iPhone 7 has a different issue with the front bottom mic... Are you back to using your old 6?

Nov 1, 2016 12:27 PM in response to Sim_NL

Ok I understand.

My reasoning is like I use the phone for 5% phone calls and 95% for other stuff like browsing and text messaging.

So I'll keep the Dallas case incl the phone which have great performance for other areas, i don't find the flap position that akward on the Dallas design since you can fold the smaller edge, although I would like to use it the way it was intended to. (My only fallback would have been iPhone 5s which is not an option as I see it).

I've made several calls today with case on (but not hiding rear mic), everyone said they can hear me as clearly as using any other brand/model of phone.

I still believe its firmware/software though (noise cancellation component of sw) , time will tell...

(Regarding original topic with strange incoming audio, I have not experienced that at all, I hear everyone I talk to very good, better than ever in fact 🙂 ).

Nov 2, 2016 7:03 AM in response to Steven Fisher1

In my case, the iPhone case has caused this problem. If I remove the case (a notebook type case) from my iPhone 7 Plus, the sound quality was improved. Please try.

Shingo1

Level 1

8 points

Nov 3, 2016 4:37 PM in response to Steven Fisher1

Very hesitantly I got the new iPhone 7 Plus at an Apple Store just yesterday. Today, all I got was complains from whoever I talked to on the phone. People asked me not to put them on speaker phone saying that I sound hallow and distant. But when I actually put them on speaker phone, they said I sounded normal. I thought there was a problem with data network with Verizon, which is my carrier, but I didn't know the problem is also on the voice call. This is the very basic function I need the PHONE to work like a phone... Any ideas what's going on?

iPhone 7 Plus Phone Call Sound Quality