iPhone 16e audio glitches

Question

Level 1

4 points

iPhone 16e audio glitches

I have read posts about Bluetooth and iPhone 16e "stuttering". I am not sure if this is what I have been experiencing since trading in my iPhone 13 for an iPhone 16e. This happens intermittently -- no pattern I can detect. It happens when I am on my headphone and when I don't have BlueTooth engaged. It happens at home and when I am away. It happens on calls to other iPhones and on calls to Androids. When it happens, the person I am speaking with says my voice starts morphing, syllables drop, and sometimes the call drops. I have had 2 remote sessions with Apple techs -- reset network settings doesn't fix this. I had 2 in-person sessions at the Apple Store -- the techs ran extensive hardware diagnostics and wiped my software to factory settings, forcing me to painfully download and reattach my apps. Problem persisted. The carrier switched out the esims and the problem persists. Today my carrier finally admitted that my home address is just beyond their 5G coverage (map shows I am in the middle). But as the problem has happened elsewhere, does this mean that this phone only reliably works on this network when I am very close to one of this carrier's towers, and that in between the towers I am out of luck for reliable connection? I have filed complaints about the carrier's dishonesty and they are so far refuse to unlock my phone to allow me to try another carrier, forcing me to recover the trade-in value by paying for service I can't count on. I am now on wifi calling only -- an unacceptable long term solution. Any ideas out there?

iPhone 16e, iOS 18

Posted on Jul 9, 2025 1:16 PM

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Answer 1

TheLittles

Level 10

202,817 points

Jul 9, 2025 1:46 PM in response to LisaM113

"iPhone 16e audio glitches: I have read posts about Bluetooth and iPhone 16e "stuttering". [...]I have had 2 remote sessions with Apple techs [...]But as the problem has happened elsewhere, does this mean that this phone only reliably works on this network when I am very close to one of this carrier's towers, and that in between the towers I am out of luck for reliable connection? I have filed complaints about the carrier's dishonesty and they are so far refuse to unlock my phone to allow me to try another carrier, forcing me to recover the trade-in value by paying for service I can't count on. I am now on wifi calling only -- an unacceptable long term solution. Any ideas out there?"

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Troubleshooting iPhone Bluetooth:

Get your iPhone Serviced:

Who's the seller? If not Apple, then take it up you your Carrier. If Apple then see if they'll replace it. Bluetooth is built in to your device, and has no direct impact on Cellular signals(being of different frequency). So, if you've had this issue since you've owned the iPhone, then it seems to me that you have a faulty device. So, get the serviced, seeing if the solution all comes down to getting a new iPhone.

A. Take to an Apple store:

You'd setup a Genius Bar Appointment at your local Apple Store, taking it in for service. There, it will be diagnosed, and you'll be provided with your options.

Or...

B. Take this to an AASP:

See an AASP (Apple Authorized Service Provider) in your local area...

Contacting an AASP:

Go Here: Find Locations - Apple Authorized Reseller
Click: Service & Support
Enter: your location information
See: if there is an AASP nearby
Contact: an AASP that shows up, and find out more about the services that they offer to fix the iPhone

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Answer 2

LisaM113 Author

Level 1

4 points

Jul 10, 2025 10:48 AM in response to TheLittles

Apple has diagnosed the phone remotely and in-store -- 2 appointments. They are blaming the network. The carrier is blaming the phone. The carrier sold me the phone. I believe both are guilty. Apple is touting that this phone should be able to connect to LTE, but it clearly is not. The carrier is touting that I am in the center of a 5G covered area, but one agent confirmed that my home is not close enough to the tower. No user should have to worry about whether a voice call will fail, especially with a new phone. I have turned this all over to the authorities (FCC, FTC, and my state's ATTY GEN'L). I'm hoping for a miracle. Otherwise, the carrier is demanding I pay off the phone to unlock it, they won't take it back, they tried to pass me off to insurance. Insurance told me that the phone is not broken. This is maddening.

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Answer 3

TheLittles

Level 10

202,817 points

Jul 19, 2025 6:23 PM in response to LisaM113

"[...] They are blaming the network. The carrier is blaming the phone. The carrier sold me the phone. I believe both are guilty. Apple is touting that this phone should be able to connect to LTE, but it clearly is not.[...]"

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Go through your Carrier:

Seems you have a fault device. If not purchased through Apple then the Carrier is who to go through --take this as a learning experience, knowing to always purchase expensive Apple Devices directly from Apple. Note that these are just user-to-user forums. No one here has any say in sales or returns.

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