No, it's not normal. I took mine to the Apple store and the genius immediately noticed the issue and said it was definitely strange. I've got a replacement phone now and the vibration is perfect.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
iPhone 4S vibrate soundclip
- Thread starter troop231
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Just an update guys:
I disassembled the phone and removed the speaker enclosure. The rattle is still there even with the whole unit removed from the phone
Basically, the motor is just vibrating off the aluminum frame perfectly and causing a buzzing noise. Pushing down on the speaker enclosure just dampened the noise by also pushing down on the frame. I tried putting some material in there to buffer it, but nothing seemed to work.
Basically, the motors are just creating the perfect amount of vibration to cause resonance in the frame. Oh well, it's going back
Thanks for the update. It's a bummer that it's not the speaker enclosure. I guess I'll be waiting a while to pick up another 4S in hopes that Apple quietly fixes the problem.
Read all the other post and separate your single experience from the rest and you will know what we are talking about. Your one experience is not enough to dispute the fact that many of us are having vibrate issues with our iPhone 4's. But thanks for your input.
Changed mine for this problem...and after two days here's the buzzz..again!
Well I'll use a personalized vibration pattern as a work around...very bad build quality
Well I'll use a personalized vibration pattern as a work around...very bad build quality
Changed mine for this problem...and after two days here's the buzzz..again!
Well I'll use a personalized vibration pattern as a work around...very bad build quality
Great suggestion. The heartbeat one does not cause the phone to be audible when it vibrates. Bad news you can not adjust the incoming text vibrate or the incoming email vibrate. Both of those selections are the default single pulse vibrate. So close and thanks for the suggestion at least my phone when it rings doesn't sound like it is going to take off like a jet fighter.
Changed mine for this problem...and after two days here's the buzzz..again!
Well I'll use a personalized vibration pattern as a work around...very bad build quality
Same, it's annoying. I swapped it out and a day later it starts up again.
I've noticed that it's hit or miss now - sometimes it does it, sometimes not.
Last edited:
I just tried it with mines and it makes this exact same noise. I'm not returning it though, since chances are, I'll get another one that does the same thing. And plus, its not a big deal to me.
Thanks, though.
I watched that video, and good lord, that is really annoying. Thank God I don't have that problem
had to get my 3rd replacement today because of a bunch of dead pixels that all of a sudden appeared. and of course, the vibrate issue is back on this one. quality control has just gone down so much with this iPhone. not nearly as many problems with my iPhone 4. ugh, guess ill wait another month to get a new replacement.
On my 4th one with this issue. it was fine for 5 days up until now. I am convinced all of the motors will do this it is just a matter of time before it happens. I think its just a bad designed motor since these linear motors are new. Apple is going to have to switch manufactures or get them to change something about the motor. Im not going to bother to swap as I am a 100% convinced the new one will do it eventually. I will wait until Apple resolved the issue. I don't have any other issues with the phone short of the slightly warmer screen which I don't know if that bothers me.
I think Apple anticipated the biggest supply demand with the i4S and subsequently rushed manufacturing to meet that and QC went down.
Hi catalyst6 -
Have you had any luck with another replacement? I'm still worried about getting a new 4S because I'm not convinced I'll get one that doesn't buzz. I'm still reading of people who got their phones just days ago that have the problem. Sounds like they haven't fixed the problem.
Joining the Club
So looks like I'm joining the club. I read through the whole post here and it describes my problem exactly. I got a white iPhone 4S 16gb in the mail yesterday. The vibration was very loud and actually had a high-pitched sound when it went off. I called AppleCare and they said I should take it in to my Apple store to be replaced. I got a new phone at the store and tried to listen to it there (good luck with black friday shopping going on). The high pitch was gone, so I was happy. Then when I got back in my car I listened to it and the vibration was actually even LOUDER then my original phone. So when I got home I called AppleCare again and they are overnighting me a replacement. Those without AppleCare usually have to pay $39 for the expedited replacement, but they waived it for me (since I didn't buy the AppleCare but my phone was 1 day old).
After reading all the posts here I'm worried that even if I get one that works the problem will just come back after a few weeks. My wife got an iPhone 4 instead of the 4S and hers works perfectly. I'm tempted to switch mine out for a 4 and save $100 on the purchase price if this next phone gives me more problems.
So looks like I'm joining the club. I read through the whole post here and it describes my problem exactly. I got a white iPhone 4S 16gb in the mail yesterday. The vibration was very loud and actually had a high-pitched sound when it went off. I called AppleCare and they said I should take it in to my Apple store to be replaced. I got a new phone at the store and tried to listen to it there (good luck with black friday shopping going on). The high pitch was gone, so I was happy. Then when I got back in my car I listened to it and the vibration was actually even LOUDER then my original phone. So when I got home I called AppleCare again and they are overnighting me a replacement. Those without AppleCare usually have to pay $39 for the expedited replacement, but they waived it for me (since I didn't buy the AppleCare but my phone was 1 day old).
After reading all the posts here I'm worried that even if I get one that works the problem will just come back after a few weeks. My wife got an iPhone 4 instead of the 4S and hers works perfectly. I'm tempted to switch mine out for a 4 and save $100 on the purchase price if this next phone gives me more problems.
Does your vibration on the iPhone 4S is the same? In the previous model had a "buzz sound". Now I have new iPhone and I wonder if vibration works well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVp45RZV5j8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVp45RZV5j8
Sorry to dig up an old thread, but I got my 4S replaced for a dead pixel and 2 replacements have shown this issue (one was damaged when they gave it to me, and the one I have now got it after a few days.) mine isn't as noticeable as the recording, and is only noticeable when it is near my ear (phone call or somthing like that) but it sounds like a very small and quiet metal rattling noise. Both replacements had it, but my original didn't. Is this issue common? And is it worth replacing for even though both my replacements had this issue? It is pretty quiet, but I am OCD about this stuff
Listen, I am just asking a simple question, and you said you get like that sometimes too, and besides, I am not going to be the one that goes through 13 iPhones. Also, other brands I have seen have the exact same QC issues, but as I asked before, does yours do the small rattling noise?