iPhone 16e Has a Bluetooth Audio Problem

[MacRumors]

In the two weeks since the iPhone 16e launched, some early adopters of the device have experienced a Bluetooth audio issue.

According to complaints from affected users across the Apple Support Community, Reddit, and X, audio being streamed from an iPhone 16e to a Bluetooth speaker periodically stutters or cuts out. It is unclear how widespread the problem is.

One affected user said the issue has persisted even after updating the iPhone 16e to iOS 18.3.2, released earlier this week. It is unclear if the issue is or will be resolved in iOS 18.4, which is currently in beta and will be released in April.

Some affected users said the issue appears to arise when the iPhone 16e is connected to multiple Bluetooth accessories simultaneously.

Given that some of the affected users have contacted Apple's support representatives about this issue, hopefully the company is aware of the problem and working on a fix, which should arrive in a future software update.

Article Link: iPhone 16e Has a Bluetooth Audio Problem

 

[TechWhisperer]

I had this problem with my iPhone 14 Pro too.

 

[dbc34]

I've had this issue with my 16 Pro as well. Even when connected to airpods or beats.

 

[MrRom92]

Uh oh! Is the C1 modem responsible for Bluetooth radio? That doesn’t bode well

 

[sw1tcher]

According to complaints from affected users across the Apple Support Community, Reddit, and X, audio being streamed from an iPhone 16e to a Bluetooth speaker periodically stutters or cuts out.

Is this really an iPhone 16e issue and not an iOS 18 issue? When I'm listening to audio via bluetooth on my iPhone 14 with iOS 18.3.1 the audio would sometimes cut out (bluetooth earbuds would disconnect) and I'd have to re-pair/reconnect them to the iPhone. I didn't have this isuse with iOS 17 and so far I haven't experienced this with iOS 18.3.2

 

[CWallace]

Uh oh! Is the C1 modem responsible for Bluetooth radio? That doesn’t bode well

Pretty sure C1 is just a cellular radio and modem. I believe the 16e uses a separate Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip like other iPhone models. And that this issue happens with other iPhones with Qualcomm cellular radios...

 

[Howard2k]

I had this problem with my iPhone 14 Pro too.

FWIW I have a 14 Pro and haven’t seen this.

 

[awshucks]

You’re holding it wrong.

 

[sw1tcher]

Uh oh! Is the C1 modem responsible for Bluetooth radio? That doesn’t bode well

C1 is modem only. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are still from Broadcom

Apple Plans To Drop Broadcom And Introduce Its Own Custom WiFi 7 Chip In All iPhone 17 Models To ‘Enhance Connectivity’ And Boost Performance

Apple plans to ditch Broadcom and offer its own custom WiFi 7 chip for all iPhone 17 models for better connectivity and more.custom-designed

wccftech.com

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claims that Apple plans to switch to its custom WiFi chips to "enhance connectivity across Apple devices." While the company aims to enhance the connectivity, it will also allow it to cut down on costs. Currently, all iPhone models, including the iPhone 16e, feature a single chip with WiFi and Bluetooth supplied by Broadcom, and the company is planning to shift almost all of its products to its custom chips.

 

[mansplains]

FWIW I have a 14 Pro and haven’t seen this.

Of course you haven't, you need to hear it!

 

[I7guy]

You’re holding it wrong.

I would say you’re listening to it wrong.

I noticed this on my AirPods Pro paired to my iPhone 15PM. I didn’t think twice about it until I read a synopsis from another poster who was commenting on the same thing. I think it’s a software issue.

 

[Redsector83]

I also have the problem on my iPhone 16 Pro Max

 

[poematik13]

It's a recent iOS issue. my 15 pro audio lags/skips sometimes when playing out to homepod.

apple's software became trash after 2020

 

[FredTX92]

15 Pro has the same problems! Apple has been promising a fix since launch. You did one story on it, and it’s still going.

 

[awshucks]

I would say you’re listening to it wrong.

I did not mean for my comment to be taken seriously.

 

[neimovirne]

had the same problem with my 12pro since it came out, but sometimes apple fixes it in some updates and then breaks in another ones

 

[nottorp]

In Apple's defense, BT works great on their devices compared to just about anything else I've tried.

(And I almost called them *******s in the "live translation exclusive to airpods" thread. Because they are, on that topic.)

 

[TechRunner]

You're pairing it wrong.

Now that I got that out of the way, I haven't noticed pairing issues with my 16PM.

 

[Chungry]

I've intermittently seen this on my 16PM and 14 pro. Just assumed it was iOS but this is going back to iOS 17 for me. And it's so infrequent I forget about it. Well, until this article.

 

[jntdroid]

Based on other recent reports and anecdotal forum / reddit / Apple support threads, I'm pretty sure this is longer lasting iOS problem. But since the 16e is new it's going to bring it back to the forefront and be called out, like any other new iPhone would be right now.

To add to the anecdotal bucket - I've never had bluetooth issues on any of my iPhones over the past few years, including the 15 Pro and 16e currently.

 

[Astuces iOS]

And people think apple is doing well in 2025… bruh

 

[BelgianChoklit]

Having this issue on my Apple Pencil Pro

 

[WarmWinterHat]

I've had cut outs with my AirPods pros, using my 16 Pro, since the latest update.

 

[lxngtnguy]

Just adding my 2¢…I’ve had this since 18.3 on my 15pro

 

[555gallardo]

Most people have a bad music taste anyway