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yOyOYoo

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Feb 13, 2005
704
107
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?
 

Justim

macrumors 6502
Sep 26, 2011
273
75
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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jsmith189

macrumors 68000
Jan 12, 2014
1,708
3,419
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.
 

yOyOYoo

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Feb 13, 2005
704
107
CA
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.
 

TurboPGT!

Suspended
Sep 25, 2015
1,595
2,620
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.
 

yOyOYoo

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Feb 13, 2005
704
107
CA
What volume level are you getting vibration.

50% volume and up.

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.

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.
 

TurboPGT!

Suspended
Sep 25, 2015
1,595
2,620
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.

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.
 

Nozuka

macrumors 68040
Jul 3, 2012
3,575
6,078
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.

i noticed, but was not surprised because i know it from the ipad already.
it's the same on the smaller iphone 7
 

yOyOYoo

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Feb 13, 2005
704
107
CA
Thank you all for the replies. Seems like I just need to get used to it.
 

pinkoos

macrumors 6502a
May 15, 2005
596
65
Texas
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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sdwaltz

macrumors 65816
Apr 29, 2015
1,078
1,725
Indiana
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.
 

infoghost

macrumors member
Oct 26, 2015
57
29
Maine
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.
 

yOyOYoo

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Feb 13, 2005
704
107
CA
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.
 

TallGuyGT

macrumors 6502
Aug 8, 2011
473
1,121
NYC
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.
 

SkydiverTilt

macrumors newbie
Sep 27, 2016
2
0
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?

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!
 

zorinlynx

macrumors G3
May 31, 2007
8,321
18,429
Florida, USA
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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