Several iPhone X Owners Experiencing 'Crackling' or 'Buzzing' Sounds From Earpiece Speaker

[curtvaughan]

It's called supply and demand. There are millions of people all around the world checking their emails wondering when they will receive the iPhone x. Actually Apple could probably jacked up the price another hundred bucks per unit and still sell just as many as they are now. Most of the people who come here to bash apple and iPhone owners are jealous as they can be because they don't have the means to obtain one. I still have my iPhone 6 and it works as good as the day I bought it which was the first day they went on sell. It's time for me to trade up. I haven't made up my mind whether I will order one this week or wait another couple of months until they become more available but I will be buying a iPhone X.

"Bashing" Apple shouldn't be conflated with some sort of "jealousy" of iPhone owners. Apple bashing, or criticism of any company, might be deserved if Apple's decisions on price, products, or quality control issues affect some customers or potential customers. I bought my first Apple product, an MacBook Pro, back in 2006. It is old now, but was a fine product when released, with the customer support being great, all the ports and hardware features I wanted, etc. My first actual hands on with an Apple product was with the Apple II in the early 80s at work, along with various Mac's over the years. They were mostly high quality products and top notch at the times of their release. That is how, over time, Apple or any other company develops its reputation. The last few years have seen the removal of ports and phone jacks and a trend toward aesthetic over function, in MY opinion - not necessarily yours. It has been commensurate with overly large price increases, in MY opinion - not necessarily yours. I'm not jealous of your hardware ownership or your ability to buy what you wish. Please don't make an "ad hominem" issue over criticism of a corporation or some of its products. A valuable forum should allow for both pro- and con- opinions, after which the participants can make their own decisions.

 

[bunnicula]

$1200 should warrant a crisp, clear sounding 11.

And, there are people who think that 1200 should warrant free Apple Music for a year, a case thrown in, and one of those new Apple wireless charging mats with their purchase, but wish in one hand, spit in the other and see which one gets there fastest.

I'm of the opinion that the speaker is only going to be so perfect in a tiny device where only a wee portion is allotted to the speaker module, but that's just me. I confess that mine isn't hissing or crackling (yet, I mean who knows?) but if it was, I'd just ask for a replacement.
[doublepost=1510585679][/doublepost]

"Bashing" Apple shouldn't be conflated with some sort of "jealousy" of iPhone owners. Apple bashing, or criticism of any company, might be deserved if Apple's decisions on price, products, or quality control issues affect some customers or potential customers. I bought my first Apple product, an iMac Pro, back in 2006. It is old now, but was a fine product when released, with the customer support being great, all the ports and hardware features I wanted, etc. My first actual hands on with an Apple product was with the Apple II in the early 80s at work, along with various Mac's over the years. They were mostly high quality products and top notch at the times of their release. That is how, over time, Apple or any other company develops its reputation. The last few years have seen the removal of ports and phone jacks and a trend toward aesthetic over function, in MY opinion - not necessarily yours. It has been commensurate with overly large price increases, in MY opinion - not necessarily yours. I'm not jealous of your hardware ownership or your ability to buy what you wish. Please don't make an "ad hominem" issue over criticism of a corporation or some of its products. A valuable forum should allow for both pro- and con- opinions, after which the participants can make their own decisions.

I have two words for you:

Apple Cube.

This whole "aesthetic of function" thing isn't new. And, you are absolutely welcome to your opinion. I don't like the way people try to squash other folks' opinions on here sometimes. I can disagree with your opinion while still allowing you to have it and you can do the same for me.

It's called "civil discourse."

 

[jujufreeze]

And, there are people who think that 1200 should warrant free Apple Music for a year, a case thrown in, and one of those new Apple wireless charging mats with their purchase, but wish in one hand, spit in the other and see which one gets there fastest.

I'm of the opinion that the speaker is only going to be so perfect in a tiny device where only a wee portion is allotted to the speaker module, but that's just me. I confess that mine isn't hissing or crackling (yet, I mean who knows?) but if it was, I'd just ask for a replacement.

A passable speaker is vital to a phone's function, especially since many people use speaker phone. The "freebies" you mention are extraneous perks and unnecessary. If Apple can't engineer passable phone speakers in their latest $1200 product or lack basic quality control they deserve getting hell for it.

 

[Ramchi]

Those "refurbished" models this early on are brand-new phones they just put in white boxes to use in case people have issues before they have refurbished phones. Even refurbs have the advantage of having been individually tested and found to be free of defects.

You can get a bad unit of any electronic device at any time, including the month before the next year's model is released. Not seeing the relevance of crowing over people's troubles like it's funny.

Find me a smartphone manufacturer that never has any faulty units off an assembly line. You cannot. They do not exist.

As long as Apple makes good with any issues, they're doing all that's really required of them.

I doubt the kind of testing that is performed in the service center's on individual mobiles match the level of testing performed during the extensive QC during the Engineering or Manufacturing centers.

In any case resale value goes down in certain markets for refurbished iphones.

I received a refub replacement for my faulty 4S but I never had any other issues afterwards for many many years(I had to throw it off then I had to replace)

 

[curtvaughan]

And, there are people who think that 1200 should warrant free Apple Music for a year, a case thrown in, and one of those new Apple wireless charging mats with their purchase, but wish in one hand, spit in the other and see which one gets there fastest.

I'm of the opinion that the speaker is only going to be so perfect in a tiny device where only a wee portion is allotted to the speaker module, but that's just me. I confess that mine isn't hissing or crackling (yet, I mean who knows?) but if it was, I'd just ask for a replacement.
[doublepost=1510585679][/doublepost]

I have two words for you:

Apple Cube.

This whole "aesthetic of function" thing isn't new. And, you are absolutely welcome to your opinion. I don't like the way people try to squash other folks' opinions on here sometimes. I can disagree with your opinion while still allowing you to have it and you can do the same for me.

It's called "civil discourse."

Agreed. I personally try not to be belligerent in my posts, even when critical. I may not always succeed, and at times will react poorly to "ad hominem" reactions. I've learned over time it is best just to move on and avoid responding to personal insults. Replying to those things doesn't improve the situation, and generally just makes things worse. There likely is a huge disparity in age and experience on forums like this, and some posts tend to show that. Thanks for your comments.

 

[Stafo]

A limited but increasing number of iPhone X owners claim to be experiencing so-called "crackling" or "buzzing" sounds emanating from the device's front-facing earpiece speaker at high or max volumes.

Over two dozen users have said they are affected in a MacRumors discussion topic about the matter, while similar reports have surfaced on Twitter and Reddit since the iPhone X launched just over a week ago.

On affected devices, the crackling sounds occur with any kind of audio playback, including phone calls, music, videos with sound, alarms, and ringtones. The issue doesn't appear to be limited to any specific iPhone X configuration or iOS version.

"Love the phone but I was wondering if anyone has had any issues with the speakers slightly sounding a little crackling whenever max volume," said one MacRumors forum member with the alias ShadowYYZ. "Noticeable on certain songs and even my ring tone which was bought from the iTunes Store."

For those unaware, the iPhone X's earpiece doubles as a speaker that combines with the traditional speaker at the bottom of the device to deliver stereo sound. Both the iPhone 7 and iPhone 8 series also have stereo speakers.

MacRumors hasn't been able to reproduce the issues described. Apple didn't immediately respond to our request for comment on the matter.

While the sounds could be the result of distortion, especially since they occur at higher volumes only, several users are convinced that there could be a bigger software or hardware issue affecting the earpiece.

"I listen to a lot of music on the speakers of the iPhone X and I noticed the slight crackle right away," replied another MacRumors forum member who goes by the username Benz63amg. "Since so many of us seem to experience this crackle then my assumption is that it's software related rather than hardware."

A few months ago, several iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus owners experienced a similar "static noise" issue with the earpiece during phone calls. Apple acknowledged the issue and fixed it in iOS 11.0.2.

Since the crackling sounds on iPhone X don't appear to be limited to phone calls, it's unclear if the issues are related.

Apple has been replacing affected iPhone X units free of charge, according to customers who contacted the company. Apple also appears to be collecting diagnostic information so that its engineers can investigate the matter, as it routinely does with any potential software or hardware issues.

Like the green lines affecting some iPhone X displays, this is an isolated issue affecting a very low percentage of the millions of devices being manufactured. The majority of iPhone X owners do not appear to be affected.

If you experience this problem, we recommend booking a Genius Bar appointment with the Apple Support app or contacting Apple via phone, email, online chat, or Twitter to have your iPhone X replaced. Apple is known for providing good customer service, and it is often genuinely helpful in these situations.

Article Link: Several iPhone X Owners Experiencing 'Crackling' or 'Buzzing' Sounds From Earpiece Speaker

SAME WITH ME

 

[bunnicula]

A passable speaker is vital to a phone's function, especially since many people use speaker phone. The "freebies" you mention are extraneous perks and unnecessary. If Apple can't engineer passable phone speakers in their latest $1200 product or lack basic quality control they deserve getting hell for it.

I never said that people should not complain if they have speaker issues. They absolutely should. Since I don't have any, I can only assume they know how to engineer one, they just managed to have some faulty units come off the assembly line.
[doublepost=1510586957][/doublepost]

I doubt the kind of testing that is performed in the service center's on individual mobiles match the level of testing performed during the extensive QC during the Engineering or Manufacturing centers.

In any case resale value goes down in certain markets for refurbished iphones.

I received a refub replacement for my faulty 4S but I never had any other issues afterwards for many many years(I had to throw it off then I had to replace)

I have sold every iPhone I have ever owned once I bought a new one (except the year I handed one of my iPhone 4 models down to my husband) and I have never been asked if the unit is a refurb.

Ever.

I dunno what market you're referring to. I don't market my devices as refurbs, because they're not devices I refurbished. They're just used devices and Apple supplied me with the device for my use. In that way, any iPhone you sell is a used device unless you never opened the box.

 

[Liquid Galaxy]

Thank you early adaptors for guinnea-pigging

Does that ease your jealousy a little?

 

[ru-e]

I'm new to this forum and I'm completely baffled with how some people is "shaming" us iphone x owners? I mean, I'm no fangirl, my first iphone was iphone 5 and I used it for 4 years and I had NEVER had any problems with it other then battery life. Still I dislike Apple as a company, but I think ios is the smoothest platform. And the design I think is better then most androids. Anyways I have lot of things to complain about, but I still won't find any better smartphone company then Apple, in my opinion. I will bash Apple and iphone from time to time, but other iphone useers? When we all are on the same iphone boat? Seems odd to me. Unless those harsh people are android users that hang on an iphone forum?

So with that said, why is some members shaming us? I mean, I would expect that from android users etc. But this is a forum dedicated to Apple products, so dunno, seems weird to me.

 

[pat500000]

Ok so one more time here - again I posted here to try and get help - not denial there is a problem, or suggestions about why I bought this phone, or concerns re age, gender, knowledge or god forbid furry animals. Just FYI - the Verizon rep sent me an email this AM and said "Apple is aware of this issue and the fix is to replace the phone".
First - to see if you 'don't have the problem' - you need to listen to each speaker at a time, in various ways (speaker, blue tooth, phone, music, etc), and move the phone into various positions like parallel or vertically to the floor. Check out each speaker by going into Accessibility and toggle between the speakers - and move the phone around. Even with volume on medium I can hear it.

No the plastic is not still on.
Yes I am old enough to know what 'blown' speakers are.
Yes I have had an iPhone for a long time and have not had any other issues like this - although had a 6 replaced due to battery issues.
And I agree with others that to suggest the solution should be to turn down the phone is silly as then it is at about half volume. Ditto with the suggestion that Apple will just update software so that the volume can't be turned up so loud. Sometimes the crackling can be heard even when on low volume.

If there is no help available here in this thread, at least others might find that they too have this issue if they are having poor voice or music sound.

I don't want to return the phone if there is some type of software fix possible, but with it being positional, I'm afraid that software won't fix that.....

Thanks in advance to anyone who can share some insight into the workings of these devices.

This problem appears to be an isolated issue. Maybe the software can help, but this could also be a hardware issue. I'm sure you're within 14 day return policy, just go ahead and take that opportunity. This doesn't seem like an immediate fix; it might take awhile to get an update.

 

[Liquid Galaxy]

Thank you for beta testing this average phone, I really appreciate it. Please buy next years too, until Apple perfects it.

So it is acceptable to encourage Apple to produce:
a phone with a notch,
to rip us, the loyal customers, off by charging £1k when the phone only costs £300-£400 to make,
Remove Touch ID where other companies provide both,
Crackling sounds,
Green lines,
Lists goes on...

I do like Apple products but not the iPhone X, it’s below the Apple Standard and price is ridiculous.

Ridiculous comment..

The notch doesn't interfere in anyway - as a matter of fact I actually quite like it.
Get real - you're not stupid so you know damn well a product is never just the sum of its parts.
Why do you need both? I', guessing you haven't used FaceID yet as if you had, you would know you wouldn't need TouchID.
Crackling sounds and green lines are a tiny percentage of faults that will be replaced. When millions of technical devices of ANY description are made, some will be faulty, I don't care who it is. Be realistic.
Feel free to continue your list if there's more...

 

[Ramchi]

I have sold every iPhone I have ever owned once I bought a new one (except the year I handed one of my iPhone 4 models down to my husband) and I have never been asked if the unit is a refurb.

Ever.

I dunno what market you're referring to. I don't market my devices as refurbs, because they're not devices I refurbished. They're just used devices and Apple supplied me with the device for my use. In that way, any iPhone you sell is a used device unless you never opened the box.

In my place buyers verify SL number, IMIE number matching the one in the box, invoice and in the device. For refub mobiles Apple revises the SL & IMIE numbers in the original invoice at the time of exchange.

Buyers even verify it by talking with Apple (franchise) service engineers informally!! Because, sometimes stolen mobiles will be expunged by the law enforcement authorities from the owner or asked to pay customs duty etc...

 

[bunnicula]

In my place buyers verify SL number, IMIE number matching the one in the box, invoice and in the device. For refub mobiles Apple revises the SL & IMIE numbers in the original invoice at the time of exchange.

Buyers even verify it by talking with Apple (franchise) service engineers informally!! Because, sometimes stolen mobiles will be expunged by the law enforcement authorities from the owner or asked to pay customs duty etc...

Not sure where you are selling/trading, but I really have never encountered this and I'm glad. That would be a serious hassle. Apple should be reassigning new IMEI numbers where they have updated a person's mobile device. Or, sell without a box, I guess?

 

[MadeMyDay]

That's disappointing.

 

[charlituna]

To be fair, for a $1000+ the least you'd expect from Apple is a replacement or an acknowledgement of the issue with a promise of a fix.

There will be a fix if the issue is the phone or the software. Catch is that perhaps it isn’t. It could be the quality of the files being placed, signal issues from lower reception during calls etc. but Apple is swapping phones even without knowing if its actually not their issue so they can test and see.

 

[Regime2008]

I don't think you read the post.

The user I quoted or the OP? Also, there was a specific reason i started my post with "For what it's worth". That was just in case someone like you wanted to read too deep into my response.

 

[john123]

Most of the people who come here to bash apple and iPhone owners are jealous as they can be because they don't have the means to obtain one.

Why do I keep reading stuff like this over and over on these forums? In addition to it being obnoxious and elitist, what evidence is there to support this assertion? I'd wager a large sum of money it doesn't exist.

It's the pinnacle of arrogance to declare that people whose opinions differ from your own are just poor and envious. To you and others: please stop. It's not constructive, and it doesn't reflect well on your character.
[doublepost=1510595036][/doublepost]

ITT: salty people making themselves feel better about not keeping/buying a X.

Much like I stated above, it's also speculation and rather silly to proclaim that people post to "make themselves feel better." People should be allowed and encouraged to express an opinion that differs from your own.

 

[IPhoneXfail]

So there is also a thread on Reddit with the same issues - a few folks got replacements that have the same problem
- some were happy with the replacement. Has anyone noticed that this thread has now been viewed nearly 15,000 times? I don’t think this is going to turn out to be an isolated problem. Ugh.

 

[jojomexi]

Oh dear, I thought the 'software update' was still upcoming. Didn't know that it was supposed to have been fixed already. I guess I will have to be stopping into the Apple Store and having them look at my phone. I get a bit of crackling when not even at max volume. I would say at 80%ish it starts doing crackling, and is more prominent on speaker phone calls (and yes it's the earpiece speaker giving issues).

 

[john123]

The only way to guage the seriousness of this issue would be to provide an actual number of those affected. Whoever wrote this article should find another career cause journalism ain’t it.

There's no way to determine an "actual number of those affected." The article cited "two dozen" anecdotal examples, mined from multiple sources. To claim anything else would be speculation. THAT would be poor reporting.

What, exactly, is your issue with the piece and its writing? It seems reasonably solid to me.

 

[Poontaco]

I noticed my phones speakers sounded static(y) as soon as I got it.
Whether it is hardware or software, I'm sure it will all be ironed out in a few weeks.

 

[michael31986]

I swear I swear I hear no static. Even in the video is the static supposed to be really really minimal because when I think of static I think of the loud static noise

 

[GhostEsq]

I posted this in the other thread but I’ll post it here.

https://soundcloud.com/user966682/iphone-x-crackle

I mic’d my iPhone X and recorded it’s speaker, this is the crackle sound I get. To me it sounds horrible.

Apple store told me it was normal, and I did not get a replacement.

 

[bunnicula]

I'm really enjoying my X, if you're collecting anecdotal evidence.

I am curious about what would drive a Samsung fan to get really active on a forum like MacRumors. I mean, does Samsung even have forums? I assume they do, I have just never looked for them because I give exactly not one damn about whatever people are discussing over there. Just no interest. If ever I developed an interest in owning their phones or what have you, I am sure I'd Google to find out.

Of course, I'm not at all saying you don't have every right to be posting anywhere on the internet that you want to post that allows posts, but if a bunch of people are sitting around discussing the ramifications of this potential flaw in production, design, etc.... what's the interest if one isn't either the owner of an iPhone or in marketing for a competitor?

 

[fmalloy]

It’s not a new iPhone until we find a gate! Where’s the iPhone X gate?

We don't find a gate...they find us.