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iPhone 7/Plus iPhone 7 Plus excessive screen vibration when playing audio

yOyOYoo

yOyOYoo

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Feb 13, 2005
715
114
CA
My new iPhone 7 Plus 128GB matte black has a screen vibration issue when I'm playing audio.

When I am listening to a podcast, or playing a song, there seems to be excessive screen vibrations when I place my finger on the screen. It's like the audio vibrates the entire screen. I often like to put my phone in my front shirt pocket and play music / podcasts when I'm walking. Now it feels like i'm receiving vibrating text messages the whole time.

I don't have this issue with my 6 Plus and 6s Plus screens. Those screens are solid. I'm not sure if this is due to the new stereo speakers being much louder on the phone. Or maybe the screen is not glued on tight enough?

Anyone else notice this issue? Play some music or a podcast on your phone. Place finger on the screen. Does it vibrate excessively?
 
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Mine doesn't do that, or at least not noticeably. Have you ruled out the problem being the case?

Take this with a super large grain of salt, but I think I heard someone mention they are using the Taptic Engine to produce some of the bass. I could be way off on this, though.
 
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Same happens with the recent iPads. I'd think it would just be because sound is coming from both ends now? I don't think it's faulty, per se.
 
I'm going to swing by the apple store and see if this amount of screen vibration I'm experiencing is normal. I appreciate the louder speaker volume on the new 7+. Wondering if the trade off is just a screen that vibrates much more than previous screens.
 
Obviously you've never used an iPad Air 2.

As the device gets thinner, and the speakers get louder...you start to feel the sound.
 
Newtons Apple said:
What volume level are you getting vibration.
Click to expand...

50% volume and up.

TurboPGT! said:
Obviously you've never used an iPad Air 2.

As the device gets thinner, and the speakers get louder...you start to feel the sound.
Click to expand...

I'm really hoping this is a defect in my phone. Makes sense that the new speakers would allow you to "feel" the sound. I'm surprised this doesn't bother anyone else. I would figure anyone who listens to audio through the phone speakers would complain about this.
 
yOyOYoo said:
50% volume and up.



I'm really hoping this is a defect in my phone. Makes sense that the new speakers would allow you to "feel" the sound. I'm surprised this doesn't bother anyone else. I would figure anyone who listens to audio through the phone speakers would complain about this.
Click to expand...

I thought the iPad Air 2 was defective when I first used it. I had the volume turned way up and started playing a game where I was touching the screen while loud sounds were being played. Almost felt like a small electric shock through the display. But it is just vibration. You get used to it.
 
yOyOYoo said:
50% volume and up.



I'm really hoping this is a defect in my phone. Makes sense that the new speakers would allow you to "feel" the sound. I'm surprised this doesn't bother anyone else. I would figure anyone who listens to audio through the phone speakers would complain about this.
Click to expand...

i noticed, but was not surprised because i know it from the ipad already.
it's the same on the smaller iphone 7
 
Thank you all for the replies. Seems like I just need to get used to it.
 
Same vibration on my JB 7.

It's the top speaker causing it - with your audio playing, place one thumb over the top speaker and your other thumb on the middle of your screen. The vibration will be gone. Then, remove your top thumb but keep your other thumb on the screen and the vibration will return.

Try the same experiment but this time cover up the bottom speaker while keeping your thumb on the screen and you'll notice that the vibration is still there, regardless of whether you cover the bottom speaker or not.

So, it's the top speaker causing this.
 
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My regular 7 is the same way. I think it's just the stereo speakers. As speakers get louder, you may feel it. Just the way it is.
 
Noticed this right away on my iPad Air 2. Now I barely notice it at all. We are way more critical when things are brand new.
 
Final update. I found a solution I can live with. I went into accessibility mode under settings and moved the audio balance towards the bottom speaker (towards the L side). Now the screen vibration is gone and I am happy again.

I think I got a good iPhone 7+: happy with battery life, screen color, no creaks, no weird sounds coming out of the back, does not run hot, etc.
 
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I don't mind the vibration when playing videos on my iPad Air 2 or the iPhone 7 Plus. I realize they're thin devices pumping out fairly loud sound; vibration is to be expected.

However, my iPhone 7 Plus vibrated when used as a phone held against my ear. That was annoying and not something I'd likely get used to. I assumed it was a defect as nether my 6 Plus or 6S Plus did this. Returned it before seeing this thread. I may try again when they start selling unlocked phones.
 
yOyOYoo said:
My new iPhone 7 Plus 128GB matte black has a screen vibration issue when I'm playing audio.

When I am listening to a podcast, or playing a song, there seems to be excessive screen vibrations when I place my finger on the screen. It's like the audio vibrates the entire screen. I often like to put my phone in my front shirt pocket and play music / podcasts when I'm walking. Now it feels like i'm receiving vibrating text messages the whole time.

I don't have this issue with my 6 Plus and 6s Plus screens. Those screens are solid. I'm not sure if this is due to the new stereo speakers being much louder on the phone. Or maybe the screen is not glued on tight enough?

Anyone else notice this issue? Play some music or a podcast on your phone. Place finger on the screen. Does it vibrate excessively?
Click to expand...

I get the exact same thing, I'm moving from a 6S plus to a 7 plus. Super annoying while playing games and fingers are resting on the screen!
 
Wow, people.

You gotta understand that this is basic physics. Sound is vibration. In order to make sound, you need to produce vibrations; if you're creating sound in the tiny space available in a smartphone, the phone is going to vibrate.

Frankly I prefer that my phone vibrate a little and sound loud and awesome, then to not vibrate at all and sound weak and tinny.

Just yesterday I was listening to a Youtube video and loving how good the audio is on the 7+. I really hope they don't gimp the sound because of "vibration" complaints.
 
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