[iPhone 4S] - Buzzing / crackling in earpiece?

[cman-uk]

I can see there are others with this issue - but how many are affected? Hence the poll...

There are many, many complaints out there:

site:discussions.apple.com "iphone 4s" buzzing earpiece - Google Search

site:forums.macrumors.com "iphone 4s" buzzing earpiece - Google Search

I am sending mine back for a replacement & wondered how many others are seeing/have seen the same issue.

 

[cman-uk]

To those voting "it doesn't bother me" - are you used to it? i.e. are all iPhones like this?

 

[madKIR]

To those voting "it doesn't bother me" - are you used to it? i.e. are all iPhones like this?

Having tested 3 iPhone 4S's I can say that all of them have it, but on some phones it's more obvious than on the others. For instance, I was using a white 64 GB phone and couldn't hear it at all, then I was restoring from iCloud another black 64 GB and I cought this static sound. All 3 phones don't have it when on a normal phone call. In order for static to appear I have to start downloading something via wifi and then place a phone call; and even then it's not that loud: I have to go to a quiet room in order to hear it.

 

[AZREOSpecialist]

*** THIS IS A HARDWARE ISSUE ***

I just had my iPhone 4S swapped at my local Apple Store and the static is GONE. I have verified this across multiple phone calls. This is NOT a network or in-call issue, as the static noise is being generated inside the iPhone 4S itself. You will note that this problem is nowhere to be found on non-4S models, which rules out iOS 5 itself. If you launch a data-intensive app using only 3G data and hold the back of the phone (apple logo area) to your ear, you will hear the buzzing coming from that area. The reason it is heard during calls is because the speaker opening aids in transmitting this noise from inside the case.

I don't know if it's possible to examine what components are in general proximity to the center top third of the case, but I'll bet it's a transmitter or receiver of some kind that is causing audible interference. Or perhaps that might be the location of the Qualcomm 3G chip(s). Remember the 4S has a new antenna design and also supports higher HSPA+ speeds, so it has some major changes on the wireless/antenna side.

I also wonder if this also relates to battery problems. My understanding is that iOS 5.0.1 addresses battery drain while in sleep/standby mode, but does not address the rapid drain during a call or while using data. I don't know much about electronics, but the buzzing may be causing excess current to be drawn from the battery during 3G use, explaining the rapid battery drain when using the phone. I would place my bets on a bad hardware component, as a software update surely will not solve an electrical buzzing that's emanating from the circuit board.

Again, swapping out my phone has solved this issue 100%.

 

[madKIR]

*** THIS IS A HARDWARE ISSUE ***

I just had my iPhone 4S swapped at my local Apple Store and the static is GONE. I have verified this across multiple phone calls. This is NOT a network or in-call issue, as the static noise is being generated inside the iPhone 4S itself. You will note that this problem is nowhere to be found on non-4S models, which rules out iOS 5 itself. If you launch a data-intensive app using only 3G data and hold the back of the phone (apple logo area) to your ear, you will hear the buzzing coming from that area. The reason it is heard during calls is because the speaker opening aids in transmitting this noise from inside the case.

I don't know if it's possible to examine what components are in general proximity to the center top third of the case, but I'll bet it's a transmitter or receiver of some kind that is causing audible interference. Or perhaps that might be the location of the Qualcomm 3G chip(s). Remember the 4S has a new antenna design and also supports higher HSPA+ speeds, so it has some major changes on the wireless/antenna side.

I also wonder if this also relates to battery problems. My understanding is that iOS 5.0.1 addresses battery drain while in sleep/standby mode, but does not address the rapid drain during a call or while using data. I don't know much about electronics, but the buzzing may be causing excess current to be drawn from the battery during 3G use, explaining the rapid battery drain when using the phone. I would place my bets on a bad hardware component, as a software update surely will not solve an electrical buzzing that's emanating from the circuit board.

Again, swapping out my phone has solved this issue 100%.

...and those 3 iPhone 4S's, which I tested, didn't have the static the way you described it! I'm more than sure that yours still has it! Start downloading something via wifi and place a phone call, turn the volume all the way down, put your ear to the earpiece. It's very subtle but it's there. As soon as the phone has finished downloading, the hissing is gone. Once again, it very subtle and almost impossible to hear unless you're in an absolutely quiet room.

 

[LoveSteve]

just return it... that ear pc is the cheapest part in the iPhone i Guess.. cost about 25 cents.

 

[cman-uk]

*** THIS IS A HARDWARE ISSUE ***<snip>

Thanks for the info. It seems there is hope with going down the replacement route. I wonder if it was a dodgy batch of phones??

With so little replies in the thread, I kind of assumed it was a rare issue...

 

[MrRon]

Thanks for the info. It seems there is hope with going down the replacement route. I wonder if it was a dodgy batch of phones??

With so little replies in the thread, I kind of assumed it was a rare issue...

NO its not a rare issue.. but most people will not ask and return it right away

 

[CDutch]

NO its not a rare issue.. but most people will not ask and return it right away

My phone definitely has the static crackling issue. I can hear it when I'm on a call and can actually hear it when for a short period after I put the phone into sleep mode. Admittedly, I have pretty good ears and can hear just about anything but this seems to be pretty wide spread. There are quite a few threads about the issue on the Apple discussion forums.

I'm still debating on whether I want to swap it out now or wait for the next version of iOS to see if it can be corrected with a software update. The battery life on my phone is pretty good and there are quite a few reports on the Apple discussion forums of people swapping out their phones multiple times with no resolution to the static/crackling issue. Decisions, decisions.

 

[rsxmachine]

My phone definitely has the static crackling issue. I can hear it when I'm on a call and can actually hear it when for a short period after I put the phone into sleep mode. Admittedly, I have pretty good ears and can hear just about anything but this seems to be pretty wide spread. There are quite a few threads about the issue on the Apple discussion forums.

I'm still debating on whether I want to swap it out now or wait for the next version of iOS to see if it can be corrected with a software update. The battery life on my phone is pretty good and there are quite a few reports on the Apple discussion forums of people swapping out their phones multiple times with no resolution to the static/crackling issue. Decisions, decisions.

They all have it, I am on my 3rd iphone 4s, I have to say though this one is much quieter and does not bother me as much.

 

[hexonxonx]

Mine is perfect. I once bought a 8GB 3GS from AT&T that had the problem. I exchanged it the same day.

 

[glhughes]

I've had 4 iPhone 4S's now (2 retail, 2 replacements, all AT&T) and they have all had the static in the earpiece issue. I think it's a design flaw. I thought this last phone did not have the issue but ended up hearing static on a recent phone call.

I returned each of those phones for issues other than static in the earpiece. I don't known if I would return a phone for just that problem as they all seem to have it and it's intermittent / seems to stop after a few seconds on the call.

 

[cman-uk]

I've had 4 iPhone 4S's now (2 retail, 2 replacements, all AT&T) and they have all had the static in the earpiece issue. I think it's a design flaw. I thought this last phone did not have the issue but ended up hearing static on a recent phone call.

I returned each of those phones for issues other than static in the earpiece. I don't known if I would return a phone for just that problem as they all seem to have it and it's intermittent / seems to stop after a few seconds on the call.

I returned it, got a new one and whilst it still has it [slightly], its waaaay better than the first one I had. Will see how it goes...

 

[divatenor]

I received a replacement 4S due to a dead pixel and the new phone has the issue. I guess it's another trip to the Apple store for me

 

[Icculus]

I bought my phone day 1, and never had this issue. My phone has never been dropped or anything like that, yesterday my wife called me and the first call was perfect. The second call, just a few minutes later, buzzing galore. It was driving me nuts just to talk on the phone, and now I still have the issue and I just called my voicemail to test and its still there...not downloading anything from 3g or wifi...phone is idle and just make a call, buzzing. I have a genius bar appointment in a few hours, which will mean getting a replacement. Will post back if new phone is better.

 

[smartbot]

Any update on this? I have this same issue with buzzing (I mostly notice it when I am making a call on AT&T's 3G network). I am thinking about taking my phone to the Apple Store for a replacement, but I'm not sure if they have fixed this in the new phones. Can anyone with a recent phone comment on this?