Metallic or distorted sound from top speaker on iPhone 16 Pro Max

"Metallic or distorted sound from top speaker on iPhone 16 Pro Max: [...]However, I can still hear that distortion in some songs or voices, and I’m wondering if this is just the way the speaker is designed (due to the smaller physical size and increased volume) or if it’s something others have experienced too. [...]Did software updates help reduce this over time?"

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Distorted Music On a New iPhone:

Updates are provided with fixes, and as they receive feedback on bugs and vulnerabilities, they provide the updates. As for the sound, what you are reporting is not normal. So, you can try playing the items in a different player or on a different device. If you don't get the error on the different app, then it is the app giving you the issue. If you still get the error on the different device, then it is an issue with the file. If not, then it is a hardware issue, and you should look into getting this serviced once more.

Returning this:

Who is the seller? If not Apple, then do a return. If Apple, then know that Apple provides you with a one-year, out-of-the-box, limited-warranty with this device, depending on your location. So, if less than a year old, or if you have AppleCare, then see if they'll fix this for you. Go here to see you have any coverage on this:

https://checkcoverage.apple.com/

Report this to Apple:

Do your Part: Provide Apple with feedback on this, letting them know about this issue.  Apple may not get back to you directly, but the more feedback they receive on this, the more they will know what is occurring, and what bug fixes to include in updates to come. Apple will know nothing of this, if you don't report it to them.

1. Go Here: Feedback - iPhone - Apple
2. Select: "Bug Report" for the "Feedback Type"
3. Comment: that this all began after installing an update. Include the URL of this thread
4. Proceed from there as necessary