iPhone 8 Plus Sound Distortion

I am using an iPhone 8 Plus on iOS 11.0. I noticed that when I am playing song on loudspeaker, there are some kind of "noise" or "distortion" to the song, every time I make some actions that would trigger sound feedback, e.g. typing on the keyboard. This will also occur when I browse in the App Store while listening to song, especially when the App Store video tries to play automatically. This issue does not happen while I use a headphone instead. Apparently this issue also exists in other iPhone 8 and 8 Plus. Is this hardware defect?

iPhone 8 Plus, iOS 11

Posted on Sep 24, 2017 6:05 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jan 14, 2018 5:06 AM

Hey. i think you might wanna take it to the Genius Bar, my 8Plus has the same issues and i tried everything...eventually, apple engineers agreed it was a defect and offered to replace my phone. Unfortunately, they didnt have a replacement in store as at when i went, but they just called me to come pick up a phone this week.. should be going there 2mrw or next. At this point, i dont think an OS update will fix it, I did a DFU, Restore, Update (even to beta) and still nothing. If theres no accidental or warranty void, you should get a replacement phone.

126 replies

Dec 7, 2017 3:22 AM in response to hansng

I also have this problem since I got 8 Plus with iOS 11.0.2. I mainly experience this when I listen to music and try to multitask, for instance chatting in Messenger, use Twitter and so on. It's really annoying. I was hopping that bigger release like iOS 11.1 or 11.2 would finally solve this thing, but the bug still occurs, otherwise the phone is great but this really basic problem bugs me very much. Apple please look at this!

Dec 8, 2017 6:08 PM in response to Adamz-Asah

They don’t even respond... seriously if they don’t respond in the next days about plans on a fix for this or inform as properly if this is a hardware defect or if it’s a software issue.... I will open a “caution-warning” thread not to buy or double triple think before buying Apple stuff, to all major forums worldwide as I already did in my country.. because I call this “disrespect” from Apples side..

Dec 9, 2017 2:41 AM in response to hansng

ios 11.2 is out and bug is still here. as i said before, it is the last apple product i buy. incredible how stupid they are. ios 11 is the most buggiest platform i’ve ever seen, nothing works as it should!! if this is a software problem, ok, i’ll just wait for couple of months. if it doesn’t get fixed, i’ll sell this crap iphone 8 for half the price and buy a god dam oneplus 5t or pixel 2. i swear it cannot be worse than the iphone!!

sad how things have turned for ios...i was such an apple fan since iphone 3g... :(

Dec 24, 2017 5:39 PM in response to hansng

Same issue. Been through 4 iPhone 8 Plus, several iOS public beta and regular iOS updates. ALL have the speaker popping/clipping issue. Apple engineers have no answer. Apple has offered to refund my $.


IMO, this affects most to all 8 Plus.

Does anyone know if the regular 8 is affected?


Share on Apple for hiding ANOTHER issue that is widespread. Over a $1,000 phone has speaker that sounds like a candy machine toy.

Dec 29, 2017 12:32 AM in response to hansng

Same here.


I literally have tried everything - (8Plus, 256GB, Factory Unlocked, 11.2.1)


1. Restart

2. Hard Restart

3. DFU

4. Restore.

5. Reset all settings.


Mine is somewhat unique tho - whenever the distortion happens, my System Haptics stops working for a while. Sometimes it comes on, sometimes i have to either do a Reset all Settings, Restart my phone or Restore my Phone - yea, it gets that bad.


I also noticed that whenever this happens, my Music player becomes erratic (tracks skip, rewind and then the music either stops or the app crashes to the springboard); the settings app also hangs occasionally too during this period.


Spoken to Support and they recommended another restore, done that again, same ish. Im just gonna wait for 11.2.2 and if it doesnt fix it, im definitely returning my iPhone.

Dec 29, 2017 2:41 AM in response to doame

I have the crackling/distortion issue too on my iPhone 8 Plus. On the latest version of iOS (at the time of writing, 11.2.1) and no improvement.

I’m on my third iPhone 8 Plus. One refund, eventual repurchase and one exchange.

The Genius Bar don’t believe me as they can’t hear it properly in a noisy store or on their diagnosis tests but eventually gave in and exchanged for me after 3 visits.

I thought it might be a ‘release day’ model manufacture issue but I have one from november and still the same issue. It’s really unpleasant and occurs at any volume.


It doesn’t do occur when using earphones, and appears to be either when high-pitched tones come through the top speaker or with simultaneous noises e.g. when typing in WhatsApp whilst listening to music (e.g. BBC Radio iPlayer app).

Also happens on calls intermittently, horrible enough that you take your ear away from the speaker.

Always seems to be top speaker that emits it.


Apple please fix this!

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

iPhone 8 Plus Sound Distortion

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.